Directions to Brown University during Commencement and Reunion Weekend

Several streets around the Brown University campus will be closed at certain times during Commencement and Reunion Weekend to accommodate the Procession lineup and other event needs. The directions below are provided to assist guests in finding their way to the Brown campus during the weekend, with the goals of moving traffic away from street closures and navigating to areas that allow for easy drop-off.  Please keep in mind that your vehicle and mobile phone navigation systems may guide you into road closures. (The Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management recommends using the Waze app to navigate closures.)

These directions will get you close to the College Hill area of the Brown campus and Commencement activities. Please view the Parking page for parking information, and remember that access bands and badges are required to enter the College Green, Front Green and Simmons Quad areas.

From the North:

• From Route 95 South, stay right to Exit 36A, Route 6 / Route 195 East.
• Take Exit 1A and turn left onto India Street.
• Turn right onto Gano Street North.
• Turn left onto Power Street.
• Turn right onto Brook Street. 

From the South:

• From Route 95 North, take Exit 36A East onto Route 195 East.
• Take Exit 1A and turn left onto India Street.
• Turn right onto Gano Street North.
• Turn left onto Power Street.
• Turn right onto Brook Street.

From the East:

• Take I-195 West to Exit 1C onto South Main Street.
• At the traffic light, turn right onto Wickenden Street.
• At the second traffic light on Wickenden Street, take a left onto Brook Street.

From the Northwest:

• Take 146 South.
• Continue onto Route 95 South and stay right to Exit 36A, Route 6 / Route 195 East.
• Take Exit 1A and turn left onto India Street.
• Turn right onto Gano Street North.
• Turn left onto Power Street.
• Turn right onto Brook Street.

From the Route 6 East/Route 95 South Interchange:

• Take Route 95 South and stay right to Exit 36A Route 6 / Route 195 East.
• Take Exit 1A and turn left onto India Street.
• Turn right onto Gano Street North.
• Turn left onto Power Street.
• Turn right onto Brook Street.

The Transportation Office recommends the following pickup/drop-off points for students, guests and others using ride shares. Provide one of these addresses to your driver to get as close as possible to the main events while avoiding street closures and known delays. (Coordinates are provided in parentheses to assist with GIS.)

110 Brown Street, near the intersection with Cushing Street — Drivers should use this spot for most passenger pickups and drop-offs throughout the weekend (Friday through Sunday). (41.829722, -71.403417)

80 Benevolent Street, near the intersection of Brook Street — Please note that the area of Benevolent Street beyond this intersection is restricted to vendor vehicle access only on Saturday and Sunday. (41.824944, -71.399074)

Prospect and College Street (Van Wickle Gates) — This drop-off point is available on Friday only. These streets will be closed on Saturday and Sunday. (41.82611, -71.40461)

Take note of the following street closures scheduled around the Brown University campus during Commencement and Reunion Weekend 2026. Please note there may be additional temporary closures during the Procession on Sunday, from about 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Friday, May 22

4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Thayer Street, from George to Benevolent streets
• George Street, from Bannister to Brown (south side) streets

6:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

• Brown Street (north side), from Waterman to Angell streets (one-way north)

Saturday, May 23

6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• George Street, from Bannister to Brown streets

6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• Thayer Street, from George to Charlesfield streets

10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• Benefit Street, from Angell to Power streets
• Brown Street, from Angell to George streets
• Canal Walk, from Steeple Street to Washington Place
• College Street, from Benefit to Prospect streets
• Prospect Street, from Angell to George streets
• Washington Place, from Memorial Boulevard to North Main Street
• Waterman Street, from North Main to Thayer streets

Sunday, May 24

5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

• Benefit Street, from Angell to Charlesfield streets
• Benevolent Street, from Benefit to Bannister streets
• Brown Street, from Olive to George streets
• Canal Walk, closed from Steeple Street to Washington Place
• College Street, from South Main to Prospect streets
• George Street, from Benefit to Brown streets
• Hopkins Street, from South Main to Benefit streets
• Power Street, from Thayer to Benefit streets (one way west)
• Prospect Street, from Angell to George streets
• Washington Place, from Memorial Boulevard to North Main Street
• Waterman Street, from North Main to Thayer streets

6:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

• Angell Street, from Prospect to Brook streets
• Thayer Street, between Meeting and Waterman streets
• Meeting Street, between Thayer and Hope streets
• Brook Street, between Cushing and Meeting streets
• Hope Street, between Cushing and Meeting streets

6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

• Brown Street, from George to Power Street

6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Thayer Street, from George to Benevolent streets
• George Street, from Benefit to Thayer Street
• Bannister Street

Visit the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management website for other community alerts.

Sunday is especially busy for both vehicle and pedestrian traffic, as students, faculty and alumni line up and participate in the Procession on streets around College Hill. It is highly recommended that you take advantage of Brown shuttles or walk to the area on foot, if possible. Guests with limited mobility should use a Drop-Off Pass to get as close as possible to the events. Make sure to leave yourself plenty of time to arrive, have your wristband or access badge checked, and line up or get seated by 9 a.m., before the Procession begins.

Please note: These are the walking routes recommended for guests watching events on Sunday morning from the College Green area. Guests attending the Medical School or Doctoral ceremonies should head to those locations. 

Walking to College Green from Downtown Providence

This is the recommended walking route for guests coming from the downtown area (west of College Hill), to avoid street closures and barricades. Please note that students, faculty and alumni participating in the Procession should follow separate instructions (provided on the For Graduating Students pages and via email). 

• Take South Main Street north or south (depending on what direction you’re coming from) to Hopkins Street.
• Proceed east on Hopkins Street.
• Take a right on Benefit Street.
• Turn left on George Street.
• Guests who will be watching events via livestream from the College Green area should join the queue at Prospect and George streets to have their wristbands and access badges checked.

Walking to College Green from the North/East

For those walking to the College Green area from the north (east of the campus), including parking areas at Hope High School, Moses Brown School and The Wheeler School, the best route to avoid barricades is to head south on Thayer Street until you reach the entry points at either Thayer and Waterman streets or Thayer and George streets. Staff members will check your wristband or access badge before you join the queue to enter the greens.

Walking to College Green from the South/East

Those walking to the College Green area from the south (east of South Main Street) should head north on Brook Street until you reach George Street. Turn left and walk until you reach the entry point at George and Thayer streets. Staff members will check your wristband or access badge before you join the queue to enter the greens.