Way to go, 2026 graduates—your future is wide open!

Caps are flying, cameras are flashing, and the Class of 2026 is ready for takeoff! This year’s graduates aren’t just crossing a stage—they’re stepping into a world they’re already shaping with creativity, leadership, and heart. From classrooms to community projects, athletic fields to art studios, these students have shown us what it means to rise, adapt, and shine.

As they head into new adventures—college, careers, service, and beyond—we celebrate their achievements and the bright futures they’re building right here in Kern County and far beyond. Find your Graduation Ceremony date, location and time below.

*Note: Graduation dates, locations, times and other details are subject to change. Please contact your students’ school directly for information and updates.

Kern High School District Graduation Ceremony Schedule 2026

• Arvin High: Friday, May 29, 7:00 p.m. at Barle Football Stadium, Arvin High School
• Bakersfield Adult School: Friday, May 29, 7:00 p.m. at Harvey Auditorium, Bakersfield High School
• Bakersfield High School: Thursday, May 28, 7:00 p.m. at Griffith Field, Bakersfield High School
• Career Technical Education Center: Wednesday, May 20, 6:00 p.m. at Innovations Hall CTEC
• Centennial High School: Thursday, May 28, 7:30 p.m. at Golden Hawk Football Stadium, Centennial High School
• Continuation High Schools/Workforce: Tuesday, May 26, 7:00 p.m. at Dignity Health Arena Convention Center
• Del Oro High School: Friday, May 29, 7:00 p.m. at Del Oro High School Football Field
• Discovery: Wednesday, May 27, 5:30 p.m. at Harvey Auditorium, Bakersfield High School
• East Bakersfield High School: Wednesday, May 27, 2:00 p.m. at Dignity Health Arena Convention Center
• Foothill High School: Thursday, May 28, 7:00 p.m. at Ned Permenter Stadium, Foothill High School
• Frontier High School: Thursday, May 28, 7:00 p.m. at Titan Stadium, Frontier High School
• Golden Valley High School: Wednesday, May 27, 6:30 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium, Golden High School
• Highland High School: Thursday, May 28, 6:00 p.m. at Dignity Health Arena
• Independence High School: Thursday, May 28, 6:30 p.m. Falcon Stadium, Independence High School
• Kern Valley High School: Thursday, May 28, 5:00 p.m. at Kern Valley High School Football Stadium
• Liberty High School: Thursday, May 28, 7:30 p.m. at Liberty High School Football Stadium
• Mira Monte High School: Wednesday, May 27, 7:30 PM at Mira Monte Football Stadium
• North High School: Thursday, May 28, 7:00 p.m. at North High School Football Stadium
• Regional Occupational Center: Wednesday, May 20, 6:00 p.m. at Kern Agriculture Pavillion
• Ridgeview High School: Wednesday, May 27, 7:30 p.m. at Ridgeview High School Football Stadium
• Shafter High School: Wednesday, May 27, 7:30 p.m. at Shafter High School Football Stadium
• South High School: Wednesday, May 27, 7:00 p.m. at South High School Football Stadium
• Stockdale High School: Wednesday, May 27, 7:00 p.m. at Dignity Health Arena
• West High School: Wednesday, May 27, 6:00 p.m. at Dignity Health Arena and Convention Center

For more information, call Kern High School District at (661) 827-3100

Bakersfield College 112th Commencement:

Friday, May 15, 2026

Memorial Stadium, 1801 Panorama Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93305

Ceremony Begins at 7:00 PM

Watching your graduate take this step toward their future is a memorable one. BC asks that guests follow these tips to make this ceremony a pleasant and special experience for everyone.

• Doors will open at 4:30 PM.
• Seats are first-come, first-served; saving seats will not be allowed. Please assemble your party before entering the stadium.
• Arrive early and be in your seat 10 minutes prior to the start time of the ceremony.
• Please remain seated throughout the ceremony.
• Be respectful of fellow guests around you.
• Guests are not permitted on stadium fields or staging areas.
• Please follow college event staff and instructions as directed.
• For the safety of your pets and all guests, please leave your pets at home. Only service animals are permitted on campus during commencement.

Prohibited Items: The following items are prohibited and possession of these items can result in your removal from the stadium.

• Alcohol/drugs/tobacco (including e-cigarettes)
• Firearms/weapons/fireworks
• Outside food/bottles and cans (clear water bottles allowed)
• Camera tripods/selfie sticks

Parking during the commencement event is free in the student parking lots around Memorial Stadium. Carts will be available in the parking lots for those who need assistance.

Designated guest parking areas include:

• P3
• P6, P7 (also includes accessible parking)
• P16 (shared with faculty and graduates; space is limited)

Additional guest parking is available at:

• Garces Memorial High School, 2800 Loma Linda Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93305

*Complimentary shuttle service will be provided between the high school and the stadium throughout the event.

For more information, call Bakersfield College at (661) 395-4011.

Spring 2026 Graduate Ceremonies: Hooding & Undergraduate

Saturday, May 16, 8:30 AM

Location: Dignity Health Arena, Theater and Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, Ca 93301

Participating in this ceremony:

• MS Biology
• Master of Business Administration
• MA English
• MS Geology
• MS Health Care Administration
• MA History
• Master of Public Administration
• MA Spanish
• BS Agricultural Business
• BA Art
• BS Biochemistry
• BS Biology
• BS Business Administration
• BS Chemistry
• BA Communications
• BS Computer Engineering
• BS Computer Science
• BA Criminal Justice
• BS Economics
• BS Electrical Engineering
• BS Engineering
• BS Engineering Sciences
• BA English
• BS Environmental Resource Management
• BS Geology
• BA History
• BA Human Biological Sciences
• BA Interdisciplinary Studies
• BS Mathematics
• BA Music
• BS Natural Sciences
• BS Nursing
• BA Philosophy
• BS Public Administration
• BS Physics
• BS Public Health
• BA Religious Studies
• BA Spanish
• BA Theatre

Spring 2026 Graduate Ceremonies: Hooding & Undergraduate

Saturday, May 16, 1:30 PM

Location: Dignity Health Arena, Theater and Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, Ca 93301

Participating in this ceremony:

• EdD Educational Leadership
• MS Counseling Psychology
• MA Education Curriculum and Instruction
• MA Educational Administration
• MS Educational Counseling: School Counseling
• MS Educational Counseling: Student Affairs
• MS Kinesiology
• Master of Social Work
• MA Special Education
• BA Anthropology
• BA Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies
• BS Kinesiology
• BA Liberal Studies
• BA Political Science
• BA Psychology
• BA Sociology

General Information:

• Venue opens 1.5 hours before the ceremony start time.
• Parking is available in the county parking structure for a fee and street parking is mostly free. Check street signage for times available for parking.
• Seating is first-come, first-serviced. The arena is fully ADA accessible.
• Guest Tickets: Each graduate will be issued 10 guest tickets. Guests four (4) years and older are required to have a guest ticket to enter the venue. Guest tickets can be printed or saved on an electronic device to be scanned at the guest entrance.
• Lap Children: Lap children are three (3) years and younger are not required to have a guest ticket.

Prohibited Items: In an effort to make commencement a pleasant experience for all guests and participants, the following items are prohibited at commencement:

• Purses, backpacks, and totes (Clear backpacks/purses are acceptable)
• Umbrellas
• Air horns
• Noise makers
• Signs
• Balloons
• Beach balls
• Outside food/drinks. Exception: Formula and/or food for infants, toddlers, and for medical needs.
• Camera tripods
• Selfie sticks
• Alcohol
• Illegal drugs/narcotics
• Fireworks
• Firearms/weapons
• Smoking, vaping and other tobacco-related products.

Violation of these rules will result in removal from the venue.

Livestream: The livestream begins 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. To view the livestream, visit the Commencement Live page.

For more information, call CSUB at (661) 654-CSUB or visit https://www.csub.edu/commencement/ceremonies/spring-commencement.shtml

Taft College Spring 2026 Commencement

Friday, May 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM

Location: Martin Memorial Stadium, Taft Union High School

(Stadium is located on San Emidio Street between Wildcat Way and 10th Street.)

Taft College will be conducting an in-person commencement ceremony to honor the 2025-2026 graduates. All Taft College confirmed graduate candidates from Fall 2025, Spring and Summer 2026 are invited to participate in the commencement ceremony. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and the ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m.

Important things to remember:

• All graduates must be present if participating and must be dressed in their cap and gown
• We recommend that you do not wear high heels
• NO BALLOONS, AIR HORNS, OR LARGE SIGNS IN THE STADIUM
• No tickets needed
• First-come, first-served for parking and seating for all guests
• Water will be provided to graduates

For more information, call Taft College at 61-763-7700 or visit https://www.taftcollege.edu/