Instructions for guests and graduands
Your guide for the Winter 2026 Convocation and Commencement ceremony
Winter 2026 ceremony information
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.
Date
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Time
Graduands:
Please arrive 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.
10:30 a.m. ceremony
Arts, Health and Social Development, and Continuing Studies programs
1:30 p.m. ceremony
Trades, Science and Technologies, Office Administration, and Business programs
Location
Kelowna Campus, Centre for Learning atrium
1000 KLO Road, Kelowna
Guests
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 inside the Centre for Learning in the main atrium space 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.
Parking
Parking is free in all parking lots on campus on Convocation day.
Cannot attend?
If you cannot attend Convocation, but have indicated that you will, please inform College Relations at convocation@okanagan.bc.ca as soon as possible.
Accessibility
Please inform College Relations at convocation@okanagan.bc.ca if you or a guest require an accommodation at the ceremony.
Before the ceremony
If you would like to pick up your cap and gown before January 24, regalia will be available for pick up on Friday, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Centre for Learning, room L103. You'll find the room in the hallway under the stairs to the library.
On Saturday, Jan. 24, check in and pick up your regalia in the Health Sciences Building, room HS101, up to 1.5 hours prior to the ceremony start time. Please ensure you have left yourself enough time to pick up your gown and have a photo taken (optional) before the ceremony begins. 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 you receive your credential and then it is moved to the left side. Moving the tassel symbolizes the transition from student to graduate. During the ceremony you will be prompted to move the tassel from the right to the left side.
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.
At the ceremony
Morning ceremony
Check in at the Health Sciences Building in room HS101 at 9 a.m. When you check in, you will be given a name card and be required to line up alphabetically within your program.
Meet at 10 a.m. in the C Building hallway (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.
Afternoon ceremony
Check in at the Health Sciences Building in room HS101 at 12 p.m. When you check in, you will be given a name card and be required to line up alphabetically within your program.
Meet at 1 p.m. in the C Building hallway (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 1 p.m.
Programs for each ceremony will be available online.
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 receive your credential.
After the ceremony
Regalia must not leave the campus after the ceremony and must be returned to the Health Sciences Building, room HS107, within one hour of the end of the ceremony.
Graduates will be charged $125 for unreturned regalia.
All graduates and guests are invited to attend a reception immediately following the ceremony. The reception will take place in the Centre for Culinary Arts, located between the Centre for Learning and the Health Sciences Building.
Be sure to stop and take a photo at our Okanagan College Alumni Association sponsored selfie station and tag Okanagan College in your photos.
Memorabilia
Photography
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.
Grad gifts and diploma frames
Purchase a souvenir of graduation. Options include diploma frames and OC branded apparel.
Shipping is available or choose your preferred campus for pick up.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Yes, there will be a reception immediately following each ceremony in the Centre for Culinary Arts for all graduates and their guests. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. You can also find a photo booth at the reception where you are welcome to take selfies with your friends and family. Tag Okanagan College in your photos. We love seeing your happy faces at convocation!
A livestream of the ceremonies can be found 5 minutes before the ceremony begins.
Please view at the following links: