At the out of state college graduation, only nuclear family (mom, dad, siblings) attended. We went out to a nice dinner after his individual college graduation (the boys were all different days/times), and on Sat afternoon all the parents of the roommates of the house they'd lived information 2 years hosted a party at a local dive bar the boys frequented (we bought out the bar from 1-4). We brought in food, and all families split the bar and food tab. Other friends who were also graduating stopped in as well.

The big graduation was the next day, and we all did pictures together in key locations on campus, and then headed to the ceremony.

Backyard BBQ for family (grandparents, aunts uncles and a couple of HS cousins), later and in addition to traditional desserts we had the ice cream man stop buy and we bought ice cream for everyone (our son had been buying ice cream from that man since he could walk).

18:26 poster here. We booked dinner reservations but not lunch for the '25 graduation. We were able to book the condo in early '25 but I think we probably waited a bit do long on that. Am looking into for '26 but nothing booked yet.

Our oldest graduated this past May (in state but not local to our home or where most of our family lives); middle will graduate in May '26. We booked a condo near the school. All meals at restaurants in or near the college.
Family came in for some of the ceremonies and meals but no one stayed overnight. And different from high school graduation - no party. Our kid started their job pretty soon after graduation in another state so moving was the next big thing.
This year we will probably do something similar but I think more family will stay on. The school is farther away and there is a lot to do in the surrounding area.

Booked extra rooms then cancelled when the one set of grandparents weren't able to go.

made a dinner reservation in January for May.

Ordered a small cake from a local bakery (took my own grad topper) and picked it up morning of, put in hotel fridge. Came back to hotel after grad ceremony and had drinks in the bar , had cake after dinner in same area. paid high price for the walkable hotel both to ceremony and chosen restaurant. was worth it.

kid didn't want grad pics so didn't do them before the graduation. Didn't want to go back to campus to do informal ones on campus either day of.

Grandmother w/o mobility issues attended.
Dinner and lunch- booked far in advance, also hotel rooms.

Dinner reservations and lunch if you are in town for a long weekend.

Dinner for both kid that have graduated. Our last kid is a junior, so we'll probably do the same for her, plus a party, like we did for the second. The oldest is my stepdaughter, so her mom was responsible for planning a party and she likely didn't have the money or physical space to do so.

At my son's school, the nicer restaurants book up at least 6 months out, if not more. I would recommend dinner reservations, at the very least.

My son will be graduating in May (yes HS senior parents - it happens in a blink!) and we're doing some planning. I'd love to hear how you're 'celebrating' or organizing the event - or not - or stories from folks who've been there done that. For example, did all the grandparents go? Did you have a party for them? Did you make dinner reservations or wing it? Did you do the formal cap and gown pictures? I've got the hotel booked but otherwise planned to wing it - am I going to regret that? Apprciate any advice!