The Triangle is preparing for another busy graduation season. Nationally, nearly four million students are expected to graduate as part of the Class of 2026. 

Prepare for heavy traffic, delays and lots of foot traffic in downtown areas as families and friends celebrate the accomplishments of their graduates.

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Durham County High School graduations: 

Most schools provide students with 10 tickets for Spring graduation in May and June. Children two years old and younger do not need a ticket, as they can sit on a parent's lap. Do not bring flowers, signs, noisemakers or gifts. All bags must be smaller than 5x8x1.

DPS May Graduations:

Wednesday, May 27:
9:00 a.m.: Early College High School, McDougald-McLendon Gym at North Carolina Central University (NCCU).
10:30 a.m.: City of Medicine Academy, McDougald-McLendon Gym, NCCU.
12:00 p.m.: Durham School of Technology, McDougald-McLendon Gym, NCCU.
1:30 p.m.: Durham Early College of Health Sciences, McDougald-McLendon Gym, NCCU.

Project Search, specialty high school students graduated at Duke Regional Hospital Auditorium on May 13 at 3:00 p.m. 

DPS June Graduations:

Wednesday, June 10: 
9:00 a.m.: Lakeview High School, at Lakeview.
12:00 p.m.: Durham Performance Learning Center, Holton PLC.
3:00 p.m.: Ignite! Online Academy, Hillside High School.
6:00 p.m.: The School for Creative Studies, Hillside High School.

Thursday, June 11:
9:00 a.m.: Southern School of Energy & Sustainability, Cameron Indoor Stadium [Duke Campus].
1:00 p.m.: Northern High School, Cameron Indoor Stadium.
5:00 p.m.: Durham School of Arts, Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Friday, June 12:
9:00 a.m.: Hillside High School, Cameron Indoor Stadium.
1:00 p.m.: Riverside High School, Cameron Indoor Stadium.
5:00 p.m.: Jordan High School, Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Summer graduation for all Durham County High Schools will take place on Thursday, August 6 at 6:00 p.m. 

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools:

Tickets are required for entry into graduation ceremonies, guests should check with each school to determine number of guest tickets allowed. 
Parking is available in the Dean E. Smith Center lots. Handicap seating is available, please see a Smith Center employee for assistance to the parking and seating areas. The Dean E. Smith Center has a strict clear bag policy for all attendees. 

Friday, June 12:
6:00 p.m.: Phoenix Academy High School, PAHS gymnasium

Saturday, June 13:
9:00 a.m.: Carrboro High School, Dean E. Smith Center [UNC-CH Campus]
12:30 p.m.: East Chapel Hill High School, Dean E. Smith Center 
4:00 p.m.: Chapel Hill High School, Dean E. Smith Center

Orange County Schools:

Thursday, June 11:
10:00 a.m.: Partnership Academy, Cedar Ridge High School.

Friday, June 12:
10:00 a.m.: Cedar Ridge High School, Dean E. Smith Center.
1:00 p.m.: Orange High School, Dean E. Smith Center.

Chatham County Schools:

Tuesday, June 2: 
6:00 p.m.: One Academy 

Wednesday, June 3: 
7:00 p.m.: Northwood High School

Thursday. June 4:
6:00 p.m.: Seaforth High School

Friday, June 5:
7:00 p.m.: Chatham Central High School

Saturday, June 6:
10:00 a.m.: Jordan-Matthews High School

Chatham Early College graduated Thursday, May 21. 

Cumberland County Schools:

All graduation ceremonies will be held at the Cumberland County Crown Coliseum. 

Monday, June 1:
8:00 a.m.: Douglas Byrd
11:00 a.m.: E.E. Smith
2:00 p.m.: Gray's Creek
5:00 p.m.: Cape Fear
8:00 p.m.: Pine Forest 

Tuesday, June 2:
8:00 a.m: Westover
11:00 a.m.: Seventy First 
2:00 p.m.: Terry Sanford 
5:00 p.m.: South View
8:00 p.m.: Jack Britt 

Wednesday, June 3:
8:00 a.m.: A. B. Wilkins 
11:00 a.m.: Massey Hill
2:00 p.m.: Cumberland Academy 

Thursday, June 11:
8:00 a.m.: Reid Ross Classical 
Cumberland International, Cross Creek Early, and Cumberland Polytechnic Schools graduated on Wednesday, May 20. 

Harnett County Schools:

Harnett County Schools graduated on Thursday and Friday, with early college graduations on Tuesday, May 19.

Lee County Schools:

Wednesday., May 27:
7:00 p.m.: Lee Early College, Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center 

Thursday, May 28:
7:30 p.m.: Southern Lee High School, Cletis B. Gore Stadium

Friday, May 29:
7:30 p.m.: Lee County High School, Paul B. Gay Stadium

Floyd L. Knight graduated on May 15.