Commencement Information for Families

Only graduating students may order tickets to Commencement. Each graduate receives up to four (4) free tickets for their guests, with the option to request up to two (2) additional tickets for their guests. Please be sure to let your student know how many tickets they will need to request before the deadline on Friday, April 24.

All guests will need to present tickets to gain entry to the ceremony. Please have your student only order as many tickets as you know you will need so we can better accommodate students with larger parties.

RISD’s 2026 Commencement will be held at the Rhode Island Convention Center. The Rhode Island Convention Center is an accessible building, please see the Convention Center website for details. For Graduate Hooding, the accessible entrance for RISD Auditorium is located on Amos Street.

We ask that graduating students let us know about the special seating needs of their families and guests when reserving tickets for Commencement. You may also email us at commencement@risd.edu or call 401 454-6379. Please contact us well in advance for information on entry and seating arrangements.

An American Sign Language (ASL) translator will be on stage during Commencement as well as at the Graduate Hooding Ceremonies. The Commencement program will include translations of ceremony details and the president’s welcome message in more than 20 languages.

For students who may have family traveling to the US to celebrate commencement with them. According to the US Department of State, an invitation letter or affidavit of support is not required to apply for a visitor visa. However, if students would like to write their own invitation letter/support letter for visiting family, RISD International Student and Scholar Affairs has developed a template that you may wish to use which can be found here.

We have arranged for discounted group rates at local hotels for alumni and families attending Commencement + Reunion Weekend. We expect these blocks to fill fast. 

More information about Commencement + Reunion Weekend hotels.

You may also search for more hotel options in and around Providence on hotels.com, tripadvisor.com and other travel and hospitality sites.

AIRPORTS

T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)
Warwick, RI (12 miles from Providence)

Our campus in Providence is about a 15-20 minute ride from Green Airport. You can find flight information at pvdairport.com or by calling 401 737-8222. Many local hotels offer shuttle service to and from the airport.

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Boston, MA (55 miles from Providence)

Depending on traffic, Logan Airport is about a 1.5-hour drive to our campus. You can find flight information at massport.com/logan-airport and 800 23-LOGAN (800 235-6426).

TRAINS

Both Amtrak and the Massachusetts MBTA offer service to Providence.

Schedules and fares can be found at amtrak.com or 800 USA-RAIL (800 872-7245).

The MBTA’s Attleboro/Stoughton Line provides service between Providence and Boston. Schedules and fares can be found at mbta.com and 617 222-3200.

BUSES

Peter Pan Bus Company provides daily express service to and from Green Airport in Warwick and Logan Airport in Boston. They also offer services to and from major metro areas such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Schedules are available online or by calling 401 751-8800.

Greyhound provides bus service to and from Providence to major metropolitan areas like Boston, New York and Washington, DC. Schedules and fares are available online or by calling 800 229-9424, 402 330-8552 (if you’re calling from abroad without toll-free access), 800 752-4841 (for assistance for passengers with disabilities) or 800 345-3109 (TDD).

Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is Rhode Island's local bus service for easy and inexpensive transportation within Rhode Island, including Providence/Newport ferries.

RENTAL CARS

If you are traveling by plane and need to reserve a rental car, you can find a list of rental services on the Green Airport and Logan Airport websites.

RIDESHARING AND CAR-SHARING

On-demand transportation is available through Uber and Lyft, and at dozens of zipcar locations on or near campus.

RISD SHUTTLE SERVICE

Guests with mobility needs requiring transportation from campus to commencement events should call RISD Rides at 401 427-6915.

Providence has a vibrant food culture offering a variety of cuisines and dining experiences. You will find many options within a short walk of our College Hill campus and in the downtown area surrounding the Commencement venue.

Tables fill up fast throughout the city during Commencement week, so be sure to plan ahead as soon as possible.