2026 Wake County graduation guide: Everything to know about high school commencement ceremonies

Wake County high schools are kicking off graduation season early. Seniors across the county will begin walking across the stage Thursday, and continue through mid June. 

Most commencement ceremonies will take place between June 11 and June 16 in downtown Raleigh at the Raleigh Convention Center or at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts in Meymandi Hall. 

Wake County Public School superintendent, Robert P. Taylor, reminded families to arrive early, and be proud of their graduate. 

"Enjoy the moment," Taylor said. "We know this class has been through all sorts of budget cuts and uncertainty at the state level. They were probably the first class that hasn't had a state budget in some time, but through resiliency we have nearly 12,500 graduates."

Taylor added, "Our kids are doing great, regardless of the things they had to overcome."

Graduates and families should plan ahead and account for traffic and road delays. Plan to arrive at least one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Wake County suggests checking nearby event schedules at the Red Hat Amphitheater and downtown festivals. There are several road closures scheduled during graduation season:

• South Street between McDowell Street and Dawson Street
• Partial lane closure at the corner of South Street and Salisbury Street for utility work
• June 18: Live After 5: Fayetteville Street will be blocked off from Davie Street to the south end of City Plaza, beginning at 11 a.m.

Tickets are required for admission into all graduation ceremonies. Clear bags are not a requirement, but the Raleigh Convention Center strongly encourages them.

There are several parking locations available for graduation weekend, and accessible parking is indicated on the Raleigh parking map. Families can drop off their graduating seniors at the 'Shimmer Wall' of the Convention Center as well as a drop-off zone on Cabarrus Street. There are also several drop-off locations for guests on Salisbury, Cabarrus and McDowell Streets. 

Tickets are required for admission for all guests two years or older. When entering the venue, guests will pass through a metal detector. Clear bags are encouraged, but not required.

Thursday, May 21 8:00 a.m.: Vernon Malone College & Career Academy. Meymandi Hall. Livestream available.12:00 p.m.: Wake Early College of Health & Science. Meymandi Hall. Livestream available.4:00 p.m.: Wake Early College of Information & Biotechnologies. Meymandi Hall. Livestream available.7:00 p.m.: Knightdale High, Reynolds Coliseum. Livestream available.

Friday, May 228:00 a.m.: Wake Young Men's and Women's Leadership Academies, Meymandi Hall. Livestream available.12:00 p.m.: Wake STEM Early College, Meymandi Hall. Livestream available.4:00 p.m.: North Wake College & Career Academy, Meymandi Hall. Livestream available.  7:00 p.m.: Southeast Raleigh Magnet High, Reynolds Coliseum. Livestream available.

Monday, June 82:00 p.m.: Project SEARCH, Embassy Suites, Cary. 

Thursday, June 118:00 a.m: Enloe Magnet High, Raleigh Convention Center. 10:00 a.m.: Broughton Magnet High, Holliday Gymnasium. 12:00 p.m.: Garner Magnet High, Raleigh Convention Center.4:00 p.m.: Millbrook Magnet High, Raleigh Convention Center.8:00 p.m.: Apex Friendship High, Raleigh Convention Center.

Friday, June 128:00 a.m.: Roleville High, Raleigh Convention Center.10 a.m.: Phillips High School, Meymandi Hall. Livestream available.12:00 p.m.: Green Hope High, Raleigh Convention Center.2:00 p.m.: Crossroads FLEX High, Meymandi Hall. Livestream available.4:00 p.m.: Leesville Road High, Raleigh Convention Center.6:00 p.m.: SCORE Academy, Memorial Auditorium. Livestream available.8:00 p.m.: Willow Spring High, Raleigh Convention Center. 

Saturday, June 138:00 a.m.: Wakefield High, Raleigh Convention Center.12:00 p.m.: East Wake Magnet High, Raleigh Convention Center.4:00 p.m.: Middle Creek High, Raleigh Convention Center.8:00 p.m.: Holly Springs High School, Raleigh Convention Center.

Sunday, June 142:00 p.m.: Cary High, Raleigh Convention Center. 6 p.m.: Green Level High.

Monday, June 15 8:00 a.m.: South Garner High, Raleigh Convention Center.10:00 a.m.: Longview School, Longview.12:00 p.m.: Heritage High, Raleigh Convention Center. 4:00 p.m.: Wake Forest High, Raleigh Convention Center. 8:00 p.m.: Sanderson High, Raleigh Convention Center.

Tuesday, June 168:00 a.m.: Apex High, Raleigh Convention Center. 12:00 p.m.: Fuquay-Varina High, Raleigh Convention Center. 4:00 p.m.: Panther Creek High, Raleigh Convention Center. 8:00 p.m.: Athens Drive High, Raleigh Convention Center. 

For more graduation information, please visit your school's website or the Wake County graduation homepage.