Every May, Spokane fills with proud families, decorated mortarboards, and an unmistakable energy of celebration. With four major universities in the area, graduation season is one of the biggest travel weekends of the year — and finding the right place to stay for the whole family can be a challenge.
That's where Manito Bungalow comes in. With room for up to 10 guests across three bedrooms, a full kitchen for celebratory dinners, and a location that puts you close to every campus, it's the ideal home base for graduation weekend.
2026 Graduation Dates
Gonzaga University — Class of 2026
Gonzaga's commencement celebrations take place over Mother's Day Weekend, May 9–10, 2026. Here's the full schedule:
Saturday, May 9, 2026:
- Law Commencement: 9:00–10:30 AM — McCarthey Athletic Center
- Graduate Commencement: 12:00–2:00 PM — McCarthey Athletic Center
- Commencement Mass: 2:45–4:00 PM — St. Aloysius Church
Sunday, May 10, 2026 (Mother's Day):
- Undergraduate Commencement: 9:30 AM–12:30 PM — Spokane Arena (six guest tickets per student)
Location: Gonzaga University Campus & Spokane Arena Distance from Manito Bungalow: ~4 miles (12 minutes) Tickets: Guest tickets required for all ceremonies, available to participating students starting mid-April. Undergraduate limit is 6 tickets. No limit for Law and Graduate ceremonies. Livestream: All ceremonies are livestreamed at gonzaga.edu/commencement Details: gonzaga.edu/commencement
Gonzaga's commencement weekend is one of the most well-attended in the region. The undergraduate ceremony moved to the larger Spokane Arena to accommodate nearly 2,000 graduates and their families. Expect campus-wide celebrations, family receptions, and packed restaurants across Spokane. The 2026 ceremony falls on Mother's Day weekend, making it an especially meaningful celebration.
Pro tip: Gonzaga families often arrive Thursday or Friday for pre-commencement events, departmental receptions, and the Baccalaureate Mass. Plan for a 3–4 night stay to enjoy the full experience.
Whitworth University — Class of 2026
Commencement: Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 3:00 PM Location: Whitworth Pine Bowl (outdoor amphitheater), Spokane Distance from Manito Bungalow: ~8 miles (18 minutes) Details: whitworth.edu/commencement
Whitworth's outdoor commencement in the Pine Bowl is one of the most picturesque graduation settings in the Northwest. The intimate ceremony reflects the university's close-knit community. Arrive early for good seating.
Eastern Washington University — Class of 2026
Commencement: Saturday, June 13, 2026 Location: Roos Field, Cheney, WA Distance from Manito Bungalow: ~18 miles (25 minutes) Details: ewu.edu/commencement
EWU holds its ceremony at Roos Field on the Cheney campus. The drive from Manito Bungalow is an easy 25 minutes on I-90. EWU's later June date means less competition for accommodations, but Spokane is still the best base for visiting families.
WSU Health Sciences Spokane — Class of 2026
Commencement: Thursday, May 7, 2026 Location: The Fox Theater, Downtown Spokane Distance from Manito Bungalow: ~3.5 miles (10 minutes) Details: spokane.wsu.edu/commencement
WSU's Spokane campus graduates students from the College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing, and College of Medicine. The ceremony at the historic Fox Theater is an elegant and memorable event. Downtown dining options abound for a post-ceremony celebration.
Why Manito Bungalow for Graduation
Space for the Whole Family
Hotels mean cramped rooms and multiple bookings. Manito Bungalow gives your whole family one home — three bedrooms sleeping up to 10, a living room to spread out in, and a full kitchen for that celebratory dinner. Grandparents, siblings, and friends can all stay under one roof.
Cook a Celebration Dinner
Skip the packed restaurants on graduation weekend. The fully stocked kitchen means you can cook the graduate's favorite meal at home, or order catering and eat together without the noise and wait of a crowded restaurant.
Central Location
Our South Hill location puts you within 10–25 minutes of every campus in the area. And with Manito Park one block away, you have the perfect backdrop for those post-ceremony family photos.
Graduation Weekend Tips
- Book early: Graduation weekend accommodation fills up fast in Spokane. Reserve well in advance.
- Dinner reservations: If you do want to eat out, book ahead. Wooden City is perfect for a special celebration dinner.
- Photos at the park: Manito Park's Duncan Garden and rose garden make stunning graduation photo locations — and they're one block away.
- Post-ceremony drinks: Head to Manito Tap House (3-minute walk) to toast the graduate.
Graduation weekend books up fast. Reserve Manito Bungalow Prefer a platform? Find us on VRBO or Airbnb. now and give your graduate the celebration they deserve.