This story has been updated with details on Pitt's 2024 winter commencement.

Your graduate has worked hard for years to walk across the stage and claim their University of Pittsburgh diploma - and their big moment is almost here.

Commencement starts at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at the Petersen Events Center on the University's Pittsburgh campus, but make sure you leave time for travel and security checks as you plan your day. You can also find more information for graduates and guests at commencement.pitt.edu.

Plus, get live updates from the Pete straight to your feed when you follow @PittCommencement on Instagram.

Here are some tips to make your visit easy and leave more time for celebrating.

Tickets and security

Each graduate will receive four guest tickets for the University-wide ceremony. Mobile tickets are required for all guests. Guests trying to use paper tickets or screenshots of tickets will not be permitted to enter.

Tickets have been sent to graduates via a Ticketmaster link to their pitt.edu email address, and they are transferable. Don't fall prey to scams - only share tickets via the Ticketmaster app and with people you trust.

The Petersen Events Center will open at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18 and seating is open on a first-come, first-serve basis. If the arena reaches capacity, guests will be redirected to overflow viewing areas. Attendees will also be asked to exit the venue immediately following the ceremony, so choose a place outside to meet up with your graduate.

Guests will undergo security-based screening as they enter Petersen. Make sure any bags you plan to bring follow the arena's clear bag policy, and leave prohibited items such as alcohol, large signs and noisemakers at home.

Parking

Guests are strongly encouraged to use the Commencement Park and Ride, which features a luxury charter bus service running continuously starting at noon through the end of the ceremony. The site is downtown at Melody Tent Lot C Park and Ride, 1250 Bedford Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213.

Campus will be in full operation on Dec. 18, and parking may be limited. All University lots and garages will be free and open to the guests and graduates starting at 1 p.m.

Shuttle services

Pitt will offer shuttle services starting at 1 p.m. from parking garages and hotels around the Oakland neighborhood. All shuttles are ADA accessible with wheelchair lifts. Petersen staff can help direct you to the correct bus after the ceremony ends.

[View shuttle maps here]

Shuttle services will run to and from lots around campus as well as these hotels:

• Hampton Inn
• Hilton Garden Inn
• The Oaklander Hotel
• Residence Inn
• Courtyard Pittsburgh University Center

Watching via livestream

Guests can watch a livestream of the commencement ceremony at the Fitzgerald Field House or in the Assembly Room of the William Pitt Union.

Staying home? You can also watch on Pitt's Official YouTube Channel. Open captioning will be displayed during the broadcast.

Photography

All graduates will be photographed during the procession; you can buy those pictures directly from GradImages. The University will also place pop-up photo spots for graduates and guests around the Cathedral of Learning and the William Pitt Union.

[Celebrate your 2024 graduate with these downloadable graphics]

Share your memories

After the excitement is over, don't forget to share your graduate's achievements with friends and family - and Pitt's official Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok accounts. Use #PittGrad when posting moments from your celebrations.

We'll post a gallery of photos on our Facebook page after the events; be sure to find yourself and tag your friends and loved ones.

Photography by Aimee Obidzinski

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.