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San Diego City College will host a celebratory festival for upcoming 2026 graduates and transfers on May 11-12.
Grad Fest aims to uplift and highlight the achievements made by students on campus and will be hosted for two days to ensure all students are able to attend and celebrate.
The first day will be on Monday, May 11, from 1-2:45 p.m. at the Gorton Quad.
The second day, May 12, will be from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. in the Student Affairs Office lobby.
“We are actually doing something new this year,” Adan Sanchez, acting dean of Student Affairs, said at a recent Associated Student Government meeting. “We are going to have music, food and some programs will be handing out certificates.”
One activity students can participate in is lei-making with the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Connection Center.
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The center will provide the materials needed and help educate participants on the history of gifting and making lei for celebrations.
The San Diego Promise Program will be helping students with decorating their caps, providing free supplies for the craft, and will give out free cupcakes.
On May 11 at 3 p.m., graduates are encouraged to attend the Commencement Student Rehearsal in the A-building patio, where important information on the commencement ceremony will be provided.
“The rehearsal is right after (Gradfest),” Sanchez said. “(Graduates) will know what to tell (their) family and friends on what time to arrive, what to bring, what not to bring, and where to park.”
As commencement and the end of the semester approaches, City College clubs and organizations will be hosting gatherings throughout May to celebrate.
Looking for a place to celebrate our graduates? Here are some more exciting events coming up.
Check back every Thursday to stay updated on upcoming events, activities and opportunities happening on campus.
Veterans Graduation Celebration, May 12
Veterans graduating this spring are invited to the Veterans Graduation Celebration, hosted by the Veterans Service Center.
Attendees are welcome to enjoy live music, free food and a photo booth at the event.
Graduates will receive free regalia and sashes to wear for their commencement. They are also encouraged to invite friends and families to the festivities.
Celebration will be on the Veterans Service Center patio on Tuesday, May 12, from 3-5 p.m.
To register for the event, click here.
For any accommodations, email Carolina Guardado, the student services supervisor for the Veterans Service Center, at [email protected].
Native American and Indigenous Graduation Celebration, May 12
A celebration for the Native American and Indigenous community will take place on Tuesday, May 12, in MS-140 from 6:30-9 p.m.
The event will honor different tribes throughout the ceremony and spotlight this year’s transfers and graduates.
Food and drinks will be provided, but guests are welcome to bring their own items.
To RSVP for the event, click here.
AAPI Graduation Celebration, May 13
The AANHPI Connection Center will be hosting a celebration that welcomes all those graduating within the AAPI community on Wednesday, May 13.
Graduates are encouraged to invite up to five family or friends.
The gathering plans to recognize students and provide a space to mingle amongst fellow graduates, faculty and classified professionals in MS-140 from 5-7 p.m.
To register for the celebration, click here. The registration deadline is Friday, May 8.
Knights Athletics Awards Banquet, May 14
City Colleges Knights Athletics invites athletes and their families to attend their awards banquet to celebrate themselves on Thursday, May 14.
The banquet will be held off campus at the Sunset View Room from 5-7 p.m. with business casual as the dress code.
Athletes are advised to RSVP with their coaches by Thursday, May 7.
EOPS, CARE, and NextUp Recognition Celebration, May 15
To celebrate, students involved in Extended Opportunity Programs & Services, Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education and NextUp are invited to celebrate with their community on Friday, May 15 in MS-140.
EOPS will be giving out medallions, sashes and certificates to each EOPS graduate. Lunch will also be provided to the students and guests.
Students in EOPS are also eligible to receive a free cap and gown for commencement that can be picked up at City College’s bookstore.
Graduates are allowed one guest to the event that will be from 1-3 p.m.
To sign up for the event, click here. Submissions are due by Friday, May 8.
Chicano Latina Graduation, May 15
Students in the Latinx community are welcome to attend the 55th annual ceremony to congratulate graduates with friends and family.
Hosted by both the Chicana and Chicano Studies Department and the Chicano Latina Graduation Committee, they plan on awarding graduation certificates and presenting sarape sashes.
The event will include keynote speakers, food and live music to mark the occasion.
The ceremony will be from 5-6:30 p.m. and the reception will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on the A-building’s second floor terrace on Friday, May 15.
To register for the event, click here.
5th Annual Lavender Graduation, May 18
City College’s Pride Hub will be hosting their Lavender Graduation on Monday, May 18, to celebrate fall, spring and summer graduates for the 2025-26 school year.
Dinner will be provided to those who attend the event.
The graduation will be held in room MS-140 from 4-5:30 p.m.
The RSVP has been closed as of May 1.
MESA Program Graduation Celebration, May 19
Math, Engineering and Science graduates and transfers will be having their graduation celebration to honor their achievements in STEM and their path moving forward.
The celebration will be on Tuesday, May 19, in T-393 from 3:30-6:45 p.m.
For more information about the event, email Claudia Martinez, MESA’s program director, at [email protected].
This story was edited by Crow Ruiz and Itzel Martinez.
