City Colleges of Chicago’s 2026 Commencement Ceremony for Associate Degree Earners

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Wintrust Arena

Morning Ceremony, 10:00am. Harry S Truman College, Kennedy-King College, Richard J. Daley College, Wilbur Wright College
Afternoon Ceremony: 3:30pm. Harold Washington College, Malcolm X College, Olive-Harvey College

Tickets required; Doors will open one (1) hour before the start of each ceremony.

Both ceremonies will be livestreamed on this website (www.ccc.edu/graduation) on Saturday, May 2.

Top Students

City Colleges of Chicago congratulates all of our Class of 2026 associate degree earners, including our seven valedictorians and seven salutatorians. 

Click here to read more about the students and their journeys.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • City Colleges’ 2026 Commencement Ceremonies for Associate Degree Earners will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Wintrust Arena.
  • Graduates will be celebrated during two ceremonies:
    • The morning ceremony, which will begin at 10:00 a.m., will recognize graduates from Harry S Truman College, Kennedy-King College, Richard J. Daley College, and Wilbur Wright College.
    • The afternoon ceremony, which will begin at 3:30 p.m., will recognize graduates from Harold Washington College, Malcolm X College, and Olive-Harvey College.

  • City Colleges students who have earned an associate degree during the Summer 2025 or Fall 2025 semesters or who are expected to complete their associate degree during the Spring 2026 term will be recognized at the 2026 commencement ceremonies.
  • To participate in the in-person ceremony, graduates must have ordered a cap and gown from Jostens or directly from their Registrar’s Office before the April 1 deadline.

  • Yes. Guests are required to show a ticket to enter Wintrust Arena. Graduates will pick up tickets for their guests during GradFest (week of April 27). They should distribute tickets to guests prior to graduation.

  • Students should make use of their 7 allotted guest tickets.  Each college is provided with a very limited supply of extra tickets to use in exceptional circumstances. Students should see their registrar for more information.   

  • No. Guest seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to sit near the accessibility seating, please arrive early.

  • For graduates: Graduates must arrive at Wintrust Arena no later than 30 minutes before the start of their ceremony and must be seated in their designated seating 15 minutes before the start of their ceremony.
  • For guests: Doors will open one (1) hour before the start of the ceremony for general seating—9:00 a.m. for the morning ceremony and 2:30 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony.

  • Each ceremony is expected to last approximately two to 2.5 hours.

  • Yes. Available services for graduates include:
    • Accessible seating area for mobility impairment/wheelchairs (Wintrust Arena does not have wheelchairs available)
    • Sign language interpreters and a reserved seating section for Deaf or hard of hearing guests
    • Large-print or braille commencement programs
  • Please note that accessible seating for guests is first come, first served, and arriving early is the best way to ensure that seating is available. One additional person is able to sit with the person utilizing accessible seating. The rest of the party will need to sit in the general seating area.

  • Graduates and staff with disabilities can request accommodations by filling out this online accessibility request form.
  • Someone from City Colleges will be in touch with you after the request is received. If you made a request and did not receive a response, email commencement@ccc.edu and accessservices@ccc.edu.
  • Accessible seating for guests is first-come, first-served. We cannot hold seating. Accessible seating is limited to two guests per family. 

  • Wintrust Arena uses metal detectors and follows a policy limiting the size and style of bags allowed in the building. Guests may bring the following bags:
    • Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags that do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″.
    • Non-clear plastic bags that do not exceed than 10″ x 6″ x 2″.
  • One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag. · Please visit https://wintrustarena.com/plan-your-visit/purse-bag-policy/ to learn more.

  • Luggage, backpacks, purses, or bags larger than a clutch (4.5″ x 6.5″ or 6.5″ x 4.5″)
  • Large umbrellas (small, hand-size umbrellas are allowed in severe weather)
  • Animals (with the exception of Certified Service Animals)
  • Outside food or beverage
  • Cans, bottles, coolers, or other similar containers
  • iPads, tablets, or laptops
  • Laser pens, laser products, or glow sticks
  • Balloons
  • Projectiles (including frisbees and beach balls)
  • Stickers of any kind
  • Skateboards, skates (roller or in-line), scooters, or hover boards
  • Sticks, poles, selfie sticks, or Go Pro sticks
  • Weapons (knives, guns, chains, or any item that can be construed as a weapon)
  • Illegal substances/drugs of any kind (an exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at the entrance)
  • Fireworks or any other incendiary device
  • Any other item deemed unacceptable by City Colleges and/or Wintrust Arena

  • No. Graduates and guests will be required to bring any coats or jackets to their seats.
  • Wintrust Arena does not allow large umbrellas. Small, hand-size umbrellas will be allowed in severe weather.

  • Yes. Limited food and beverage items will be available for purchase. For health code and safety reasons, the arena does not allow outside food and beverages, including water.

  • Yes. Flowers will be available for purchase at Wintrust Arena on graduation day.

  • Only diploma covers will be issued during the ceremony on May 2. For this reason, the conferring of degrees at the ceremony is provisional, pending verification that degree requirements have all been met. Students who graduated in the Summer or Fall semester should have received their diploma by mail. Log into www.parchment.com to claim your digital diploma if you have not already done so.

  • Students who will graduate at the end of the Spring semester will receive information regarding their final graduation audit and possible degree conferral via their student email. Students can expect to receive additional messaging in late June notifying you to log into www.parchment.com to verify your mailing address and claim your digital diploma. You will have 72 hours from the time you receive the email to confirm your address, or it will be mailed to the address we have on file.

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