Senior Week is a week full of fun activities provided for graduating seniors to celebrate their incredible achievements and commemorate their time at Salem State. Events can include a variety of programming both on and off campus, offered at a range of discounted prices for students.
Important Housing Information
If you currently live on campus and wish to remain on campus for Senior Week, you must indicate that you wish to stay by submitting a Senior Week application via the Housing Portal, which will be available late April. Residential students can email Residence Life at housing@salemstate.edu should additional questions come up.
If you remain on campus for Senior Week, it is important to note that meal plans will end on the last day of finals: Monday, May 11, 2026.
If you remain on campus for Senior Week, you are required to be out of the residence halls no later than the night of your graduation or by 7 pm on Saturday, May 16, 2026. No extensions will be provided. Please note that all policies will continue to be enforced during this time. If you violate a policy during Senior Week, you will be asked to move out of the building the following day. No exceptions will be provided.
50 Days to Graduation Celebration!
Thursday, March 26 - 7-10 pm
Cost: Free for senior students—cash bar(s) available at the event!
Location: Village Tavern, 168 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970
With only 50 days left until graduation, join us for food, drinks, and dancing at the Village Tavern to kick off the countdown! Transportation will be provided for students via Viking Shuttle, which will run every 30 minutes between Harrington Campus and Village Tavern.
Senior Week 2026
Monday, May 11
Senior Gala
Time: 7-10 pm
Location: Hawthorne Hotel, 18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA 01970
Cost: $10 for graduating senior
Celebrate the senior class in style at the 2026 Senior Gala! Dinner, DJ and dance floor, photo booth, and a cash bar await you at Salem’s famous Hawthorne Hotel! Transportation will be provided for students to and from Harrington Campus.
This event is open to the first 150 SSU seniors who purchase a ticket; should we have leftover tickets, we will open them up to outside guests.
Tuesday, May 12
Red Sox Game vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Time: 6:45 pm (bus to depart campus by 5 pm)
Cost: $10 for graduating senior
SSU seniors will head to Fenway for a matchup between Boston and Philly! Transportation will be provided to and from Harrington Campus for all seniors who purchase a ticket!
This event is open to the first 130 SSU seniors who purchase a ticket; 1 ticket per student allowed.
Senior Awards
Time: 6-9 pm
Location: Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970
Applications are now open for the 2026 Senior Awards! This honor is available to all graduating seniors. Share your accomplishments by applying to be recognized at the award ceremony— (Application closes March 20)
*Please note: this event is only open to students who have won a Senior Award*
Wednesday, May 13
Bonfire & Beer Truck
Time: 5-7 pm
Location: Marsh Fire Pit
Cost: Free for students; one drink ticket included per student. All additional drinks can be purchased using cash or card.
Join us for pizza, s’mores, and a beer truck around the fire pit as we prepare for graduation weekend!
Thursday, May 14
Senior Farewell BBQ
Time: 12-2 pm
Location: North Campus Quad (Rain location: Lower North Dining)
Cost: $5 for graduating senior, $8 for guest
A toast to the graduates! Raise your glass to the Class of 2026 as we send you off with a party! Lawn games, lots of BBQ lunch options, music, a beer truck, and a farewell toast from Dean Newton and President Keenan. Seniors will be allowed to bring up to 2 guests to this event to join in the fun. Celebrate with us one last time before graduation!
Senior Week Tickets
The Senior Week Ticket Launch event will be held on Tuesday, March 24, from 10 am-3 pm in the Ellison Campus Center.
Food will be available, and the first 100 seniors will receive a commemorative Class of 2026 t-shirt!
Seniors may select any number of events to attend; ticketed events are first-come-first-served.
Tickets are non-refundable and may not be exchanged or transferred between students. Cash and ClipperCard accepted for payments
Tickets will continue to be available following this event (until sold out) at the Ellison Campus Center Info Desk, M-F from 10 am-4 pm.