Your guide for the Fall 2026 Convocation and Commencement ceremony
Congratulations, graduands! Convocation is a time for you to gather with your friends and family to celebrate the completion of your degree, diploma, certificate, or microcredential.
This guide will provide you and your guests with all the information you need to know about preparing for your ceremony and making the most of this special day.
Saturday, October 17, 2026
10:30 a.m.
Graduands: Please arrive at least one hour before the start of your ceremony. Each ceremony will begin promptly at the times listed. Late graduands will only be accommodated if possible.
Kelowna Campus, Centre for Learning atrium
1000 KLO Road, Kelowna
Tickets are not required, however, due to the size of the ceremony, please consider limiting your guests to no more than six people.
Additional information
The ceremony will be held in the atrium of the Centre for Learning on the Kelowna campus and will last approximately 1.5 hours. Seating is limited. For best seating options, we recommend arriving an hour prior to the start of the ceremony. The ceremony will also be shown via a livestream.
Parking is free in all parking lots on campus on Convocation day.
If you cannot attend Convocation, but have indicated that you will, please inform College Relations at convocation@okanagan.bc.ca as soon as possible.
Please inform College Relations at convocation@okanagan.bc.ca if you or a guest require an accommodation at the ceremony.
If you would like to pick up your cap and gown early, we will have early gown pick up available on Friday, Oct. 16 from 12-2 p.m. in room L103 in the Centre for Learning (under the library stairs.)
On Saturday, Oct. 17, check in and pick up your regalia in Room HS101, after 9 a.m. Please ensure you have left yourself enough time to pick up your gown and have a photo taken (optional) before the ceremony begins. We recommend you arrive at least one hour ahead of the ceremony start time.
Please note: Late arrivals may miss the ceremony if we are not able to accommodate you.
How to hang the tassel on your grad cap
The tassel stays on the right side until the end of the ceremony when you will be instructed to move it to the left side. Moving the tassel symbolizes the transition from student to graduate.
Visible items of clothing should be of dark colours. No adornments such as flowers, jewelry or emblems of any kind should be attached to the gown.
Please keep your personal belongings to a minimum. Leave items (e.g. purse, bag) with a guest. Storage for coats and personal items will not be provided.
A portrait photographer will be located in room HS106 to take photos before and after your ceremony. Photos will be taken on a first come, first served basis so ensure you leave plenty of time to fit this into your day. There will be a sitting fee charged and payment will be due at the time your photos are done.
Check in takes place in Room HS101 beginning at 9 a.m. When you check in, you will be given a name card, your cap and gown, and a diploma folder. You will then be directed to line up alphabetically within your program.
You must be in the C building hallway by 10 a.m. (volunteers will be on hand to point you in the right direction.) Ensure you have allowed enough time to pick up your regalia prior to 10 a.m.
Please note: The ceremony will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. If you are late we cannot guarantee you will sit with and cross the stage with your class.
Programs are available online at https://www.okanagancollege.ca/graduation/convocation-ceremony-kelowna
Posters with QR codes to direct guests to the online program will be placed throughout the venue for the ceremony. Volunteers at the ceremony will have the QR code on a lanyard as well.
When it’s time for graduands in your program to cross the stage, a marshal will direct you to the appropriate location. It is essential that you bring your name card with you and hand it to the reader. When your name is announced, you will walk across the stage. As you leave the stage, you will receive an alumni gift, have your photo taken, and then immediately return to your seat as directed by the marshal.
Walking across the stage marks a milestone in your life and is a highlight of your graduation day. Please be considerate of your fellow graduands and return to your seat after you have crossed the stage.
You will not receive your official credential at the ceremony. The graduation office will mail this out to you to the mailing address we have on file. Please ensure you have an up to date address on your record.
A professional photographer will be located on campus in the Health Sciences Building for portraits on the day of Convocation.
During the ceremony, a photographer will take photos of each graduate after they have crossed the stage. These photos will be available for download approximately one week following the ceremony. An email with the link will be sent out to graduates when the photos have been uploaded.
Purchase a souvenir of graduation. Options include diploma frames and OC branded apparel.
Shipping is available or choose your preferred campus for pick up.
For all Okanagan College convocation ceremonies, students and employees with Indigenous ancestry may choose to wear their traditional Indigenous regalia, in lieu of a gown and hood. Traditional regalia refers to the traditional and sacred clothing, accessories and pieces worn or carried by Indigenous peoples during various ceremonies, such as powwows, celebrations and pan-national gatherings. As regalia are personal and sacred outfits, it is appropriate to approach and inquire, however, please refrain from touching without consent.
Guest seating
Guest seating is on a first come, first served basis. It is recommended that guests arrive up to an hour before the ceremony for the best choice of seating.
Special considerations
Seating is reserved for guests with special needs (i.e. wheelchair seating) and an accompanying guest. Please have your graduand contact us at convocation@okanagan.bc.ca to arrange this.
Convocation programs will be available digitally for each ceremony. Posters with QR codes to direct guests to the online program will be placed throughout the venue. Volunteers at the ceremony will have the QR code on a lanyard as well.