Harvard Alumni Day 2024 will take place in Harvard Yard on Friday, May 31. Below, you will find answers to many frequently asked questions regarding the event. If you have additional questions, please call the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) at 617-496-0559, M–F, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (ET).
What is Harvard Alumni Day?
Hosted by the HAA, Harvard Alumni Day is a day for and in celebration of Harvard's vibrant, global alumni community. This annual event is a time of joy, nostalgia, and connection—celebrating alumni communities across all Harvard Schools and around the globe.
All are welcome to attend this gathering in Cambridge each spring, which features the traditional all-alumni parade, a speaking program with special guests, and a Yard party with lawn games, food trucks, and more. Virtual celebration options are also available for alumni unable to attend in person.
When is Alumni Day?
The 2024 Alumni Day will take place in Harvard Yard on Friday, May 31. All Harvard University alumni, students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend the festivities, including families and friends.
What will the schedule be on Alumni Day?
Find the full schedule of events on the Alumni Day website.
Are there hotel accommodations?
The HAA has secured hotel blocks at two nearby hotels for those traveling in for Alumni Day.
- 777 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
- Rooms available from Thursday, May 30, to Saturday, June 1
- Price per room: $369/night
- Book by: Tuesday, April 30
- 515 Somerville Avenue, Somerville, Massachusetts 02143
- Rooms available from Wednesday, May 29, to Sunday, June 2
- Price per room: $379/night
- Book by: Tuesday, April 30
Will there be parking?
All visitors looking for Alumni Day parking, including guests needing accessible parking, should proceed to the Soldiers Field Park Garage on the Harvard Business School campus, located at 111 Western Avenue in Allston. Signs will be posted directing traffic to the Soldiers Field Park Garage or a nearby overflow lot. All parking is available in satellite parking areas on a first-come, first-served basis.
A continuous bus service between the main parking areas at the Soldiers Field lot to Harvard Square will be available between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 31.
Note: Plan your visit accordingly as traffic in Cambridge may be busy, with delays going to and from Harvard Square. Visitors and guests should know there are many commercial parking facilities in and around Harvard Square. Locations and additional information can be found at harvardsquare.com/venue_type/parking/. We ask that you respect the Allston and Cambridge communities by not parking on residential streets.
Are tickets/advanced registration required?
For access to Harvard Yard on Friday, May 31, and to attend Alumni Day activities, advanced registration is required. Please be aware that there will be no physical or digital tickets for registrants. Upon arrival to campus, you will provide your name and the names of your registered guests to a staff member to get into the Yard.
How much does a ticket/advanced registration cost?
The cost for the 2024 Alumni Day will be $30.00 per person. This price includes all events and activities and unlimited access to the food and beverage trucks in the Yard during Alumni Day.
What does a ticket/advanced registration include?
Each registration grants access to the Yard on Alumni Day and includes the price of the Yard party with lunch that will follow the alumni parade and speaking program. Several food and beverage trucks will be available to you offering a variety of options. View the full menu.
Your ticket will also grant you access to afternoon events hosted by the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard Graduate School of Design, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the Radcliffe Oral History Project, the Salata Institute for Climate & Sustainability, and more. Please note, if interested in attending any program following the Yard party, you may need to RSVP separately. Please see the event schedule for more details.
What will the food options be?
More than a dozen food and beverage trucks offering a variety of foods will be available throughout the Yard on Alumni Day. There will be options for all to enjoy. View the full menu.
Are walk-ins welcome?
Walk-in registrants are welcome and can register online for $30 per person at any time. If you need help with the registration and would rather register in person, you can go to the Cabot Science Library in the Science Center (1 Oxford Street, Cambridge) starting at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 31.
What time will the Yard open on Alumni Day?
Gates to Harvard Yard will open on Friday, May 31, at 8:00 a.m. (ET). Those who have registered for Alumni Day are welcome to come to campus at their convenience. If you plan to participate in the alumni parade, please arrive by 10:30 a.m.
Can I bring a backpack or bag?
All persons, bags, and personal items are subject to inspection before entering Harvard Yard. No backpacks of any type will be admitted. No bag or item larger than 12″ × 12″ × 12″ will be permitted in the Yard.
What safety measures will be taken on Harvard Alumni Day?
Security for all alumni and guests attending Harvard Alumni Day is taken very seriously. The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) will have an active presence on campus throughout the entire day. The Yard will be closed to the public on Friday, May 31. Only those with a Harvard Alumni Day registration, Harvard and Radcliffe College Reunion nametag, or Harvard ID will be admitted into the Yard. Bags will be checked upon arrival and must follow our bag guidelines. Staff will additionally be present throughout the Yard during the event.
The HUPD is an important resource if you need of help of any kind, and should be the first contact for any on-campus incidents. HUPD can be reached with any of the blue-lit emergency telephones in Harvard buildings and in public areas, or by calling 617-495-1212.
What accessibility options will be available?
Harvard University encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Harvard Alumni Day will be offered with in-person American Sign Language interpreting and all informational materials for these events will be available in an accessible digital format. A reserved and accessible seating section will also be available in Tercentenary Theatre. Additionally, live captioning will be available during the livestream, which is accessible via alumni.harvard.edu/alumni-day.
Should you need accommodations beyond the access provided, please contact the Harvard Alumni Association at 617-496-0559 or haa_alumniday@harvard.edu. Additional accessibility-related information can also be found at accessibility.harvard.edu.
Will I receive a nametag?
Alumni Day nametags and lanyards will be available for all attendees at each gate on May 31, though not mandatory to wear. Attendees are welcome to pick up a nametag upon arrival at any gate entrance.
What is the dress code?
While there is no specific dress code for Alumni Day, we do recommend dressing for the predicted weather as the alumni parade, speaking program, and Yard party will all take place outside.
What happens in the case of inclement weather?
Alumni Day will be celebrated in rain or shine; however, in the case of severe inclement weather, real-time updates via text messages will be sent to those who opt-in to receive such texts during registration. Additional details will become available on the Alumni Day website as needed.
Will attendees have access to restrooms, first aid stations, and/or water stations throughout the event?
Several restrooms, first aid stations, and water stations will be available throughout the Yard on Alumni Day. Locations will be clearly marked. Restrooms are wheelchair accessible.
What are the COVID-19 protocols for Alumni Day?
Our top priority is the health and safety of our guests. We ask that guests abide by state, local, and University COVID-19 guidelines and protocols. We also ask guests to read all communications from the University sent in advance of this event to ensure you are up to date on the current policies and protocols.
Is it possible to attend virtually?
Alumni Day welcomes all to attend in person; however, for those who are unable to travel to Cambridge, virtual opportunities will be available. More information is forthcoming about how to watch the Harvard Alumni Day program online and participate in local celebrations hosted by Harvard Clubs and HAA Shared Interest Groups.
How does Alumni Day relate to Harvard and Radcliffe College Reunions?
Alumni Day will take place on Friday morning and afternoon of Harvard and Radcliffe College Reunions, welcoming all who are celebrating a Reunion to attend. Registration for Alumni Day will be included in the 2024 Harvard and Radcliffe College Reunions registration forms for those in Reunion. For more specific information, visit alumni.harvard.edu/reunions/faq#annual-meeting.