June 17, 2026

Commencement 2026 celebrates accomplishment, purpose and community

UC Santa Barbara staff

The smiles say it all. As do the tears. Pride, elation, excitement, relief.

All the feels, and then some, were on display during UC Santa Barbara's annual commencement festivities, which for 2026 celebrated some 6,700 students with 11 official events over eight days. They danced, they walked, they crossed the stage, collected their diplomas and let their caps fly.

The sights and sounds of Commencement 2026. Video by Jessie Ward O'Sullivan.

Congrats, grads, and best wishes for your next chapter. Relive your big day right here anytime in our highlights video.

Go Gauchos!

About UC Santa Barbara

The University of California, Santa Barbara is a leading research institution that also provides a comprehensive liberal arts learning experience. Our academic community of faculty, students, and staff is characterized by a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration that is responsive to the needs of our multicultural and global society. All of this takes place within a living and learning environment like no other, as we draw inspiration from the beauty and resources of our extraordinary location at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.