Graduation week is upon us. Here’s what to know about upcoming events at the Tacoma Dome

More than 2,000 students will graduate from Tacoma Public Schools next week, from Monday, June 13 to Friday, June 18, with several large events at the Tacoma Dome.

Every graduate has access to eight complimentary tickets, and they can choose to purchase additional seats for $5 apiece. Day-of-event tickets are also available, so expect traffic in the area throughout the week.

Doors open 45 minutes ahead of the ceremony start time.

Standard parking in the A, F, G, and C lots, as well as at the LeMay Car Museum lot, will run $15 per vehicle, remitted to the City of Tacoma. Lots D, E and K are accessible by van and designated for guests with disabilities, though all lots are wheelchair accessible. The Dome encourages guests to carpool or take public transit.

The School of the Arts kicks things off at the Dome on June 13 at 1 p.m.

Then seniors from the School of Industrial Design, Engineering, and Art (IDEA) will walk the stage starting at 4 p.m.

At 7 p.m., the Science and Math Institute (SAMi) will host its ceremony at the Dome.

Tuesday is the busiest day, when the Dome will host four commencements. Tacoma Online School celebrates at 10 a.m., followed by Stadium High School at 1 p.m., Lincoln High School at 4 p.m., and Oakland High School at 7 p.m.

Wednesday brings Silas High School at 1 p.m., Mount Tahoma High School at 4 p.m., and Foss High School at 7 p.m.

TPS contines on Friday at 10 a.m. with the Community-Based Transitions (CBT) senior class. Next week, Willie Stewart Academy celebrates its graduates on Tuesday, June 21 at 5 p.m., also at the Dome.

Each commencement offers a livestream with closed captioning on Facebook and local television.

Other area school districts will also honor their seniors next week. Commencement for Clover Park Technical College starts at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, followed by Yelm High School at 7:30 p.m.

On Friday, June 17, Pierce College has its ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Graduation 2022 events at the Tacoma Dome wrap up Saturday, June 18 with a joint ceremony of Gig Harbor and Peninsula High Schools at 10 a.m.

Doors for these events open an hour before the ceremony begins.

The Bethel School District will host a ceremony on June 16 at the McGavick Conference Center for Bethel Virtual Academy at 1 p.m. and Challenger High School at 3 p.m. On June 20 at the Washington State Fairgrounds, Bethel High School seniors walk at 1 p.m., Spanaway Lake at 4 p.m. and Graham-Kapowsin at 7 p.m. Each will be livestreamed on YouTube.

GRADUATION 2022 AT TACOMA DOME

If attending a ceremony, note the bag policy at Tacoma Dome, which permits only small or clutch-style purses and clear bags under 12 inches tall and wide. It is also a cashless facility for all concession and merchandise sales; food and drink can also be purchased with Google Pay and Apple Pay. All guests must pass through a metal detector to enter.

The venue also dissuades drivers from taking Exit 133 off Interstate 5. Guests can also park downtown and take the Link light rail to the Tacoma Dome station.

Importantly for proud family and friends, cameras and video cameras are permitted, but a camera bag must adhere to the same “clear bag” policy. The Commencement Group will be prepped at each event with floral arrangements available for purchase.

For details, check your school’s event listing at tacomadome.org.

Editor’s Note 6/13/2022, 11:25 a.m.: This story has been updated to clarify information regarding Bethel School District’s ceremonies.

This story was originally published June 12, 2022 at 5:00 AM.