University of Tampa Commencement Ceremony

The University of Tampa is holding its December commencement ceremony on Friday, December 18, at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall. It's a morning event, starting at 10 AM, and it brings together graduates from across the university.

This particular ceremony celebrates undergraduate, master's, and doctoral candidates who finished their coursework during the Summer and December 2026 terms. Because it covers multiple levels of degrees, you'll see a wide range of students crossing the stage at once—everything from bachelor's to doctorates. If you've got a friend or family member graduating this winter, this is the one to keep on your radar.

There are a few things to know about getting in. Everyone attending needs a ticket. They're distributed electronically to the registered graduates, who then pass them along to their invited guests. Graduates are tentatively guaranteed six guest tickets, with the possibility of up to six more that aren't guaranteed, so it's worth coordinating with your graduate early to make sure you're on the list. If you can't make it in person, there's a livestream of the ceremony available to watch from home.

As for the logistics, the ceremony is at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, 4800 U.S. Hwy 301 N, Tampa, FL 33610. Parking is $10 if you buy it online and $12 if you pay onsite. With the 10 AM start, you'll want to leave enough time to get through the lot and into the hall before things get underway.