Harvard University Publish out the Academic Calendar and Semester Dates for the year 2026 / 2027 This Calendar showing important information about semester dates, registration periods, examination schedules, holidays, course enrollment deadlines, and academic events for students at Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS).
FALL SEMESTER EVENTS FOR COLLEGE AND HARVARD GRIFFIN GSAS
Tentative Dates: Please note that all dates below are tentative and subject to change.
Note: The start of term for continuing Harvard Griffin GSAS students is July 1st.
| Event | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-2029 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Check-In Deadline for All Students
|
Sept. 2 (Tu)
|
Sept. 2 (W)
|
Sept. 1 (W)
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Sept. 5 (Tu)
|
|
Course Registration begins (enroll in courses)
|
Returning: Apr. 2 (W) Incoming: Aug. 12 (Tu) |
Returning: Apr. 1 (W) Incoming: HCOL – Aug. 11 (Tu), GSAS – Aug. 17 (M) |
Returning: Apr. 7 (W) Incoming: HCOL – Aug. 10 (Tu), GSAS – Aug. 16 (M) |
Returning: Apr. 5 (W) Incoming: HCOL – Aug. 15 (Tu), GSAS – Aug. 21 (M) |
|
Course Registration Deadline (For minimum course enrollment – 8 credits.) |
Returning: Apr. 16 (W) Incoming: Aug. 14 (Th) |
Returning: Apr. 15 (W) Incoming: HCOL – Aug. 13 (Th), GSAS – Aug. 28 (F) |
Returning: Apr. 21 (W) Incoming: HCOL – Aug. 12 (Th), GSAS – Aug. 27 (F) |
Returning: Apr. 19 (W) Incoming: HCOL – Aug. 17 (Th), GSAS – Sept. 1 (F) |
|
Academic Year Begins – First meeting of fall term classes.
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Sept. 2 (Tu)
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Sept. 2 (W *)
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Sept. 1 (W *)
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Sept. 5 (Tu)
|
|
University Holiday: Labor Day
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Sept. 1 (M)
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Sept. 7 (M)
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Sept. 6 (M)
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Sept. 4 (M)
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|
University Holiday: Indigenous People’s Day (City of Cambridge)
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Oct. 13 (M)
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Oct. 12 (M)
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Oct. 11 (M)
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Oct. 9 (M)
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|
Veteran’s Day – Classes are held
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Nov. 11 (Tu)
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Nov. 11 (W)
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Nov. 11 (Th)
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Nov. 10 (Observed)(Fr)
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|
University Holiday: Thanksgiving Recess Begins
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Nov. 26 (W)
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Nov. 25 (W)
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Nov. 24 (W)
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Nov. 22 (W)
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University Holiday: Thanksgiving Recess Ends
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Nov. 30 (Su)
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Nov. 29 (Su)
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Nov. 28 (Su)
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Nov. 26 (Su)
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Last Day of Fall Term Classes
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Dec. 3 (W)
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Dec. 4 (F)
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Dec. 2 (Th)
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Dec. 5 (Tu)
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Fall Reading Period Begins
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Dec. 4 (Th)
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Dec. 5 (Sa)
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Dec. 3 (F)
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Dec. 6 (W)
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Fall Reading Period Ends
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Dec. 9 (Tu)
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Dec. 9 (W)
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Dec. 8 (W)
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Dec. 10 (Su)
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|
Fall Term Final Examinations Begin
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Dec. 10 (W)
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Dec. 10 (Th)
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Dec. 9 (Th)
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Dec. 11 (M)
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Fall Term Final Examinations End
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Dec. 19 (F)
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Dec. 19 (Sa)
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Dec. 18 (Sa)
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Dec. 20 (We)
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* For start of classes on a Wednesday indicates classes will follow a Monday Schedule.
READ:University of oxford academic calendar and Term Dates 2027
HARVARD COLLEGE WINTER
Tentative Dates: Please note that all dates below are tentative and subject to change.
| Event | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Winter Recess Begins
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Dec. 20 (Sa)
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Dec. 20 (Su)
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Dec. 19 (Su)
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Dec. 21 (Th)
|
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Limited Opening for Pre-Approved Students
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Jan. 2 (F)
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Jan. 2 (Sa)
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Jan. 2 (Su)
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Jan. 2 (Tu)
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Wintersession Begins for Undergraduates Choosing to Return
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Jan. 16 (F)
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Jan. 15 (F)
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Jan. 14 (F)
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Jan. 12 (F)
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Wintersession Ends for Undergraduates
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Jan. 25 (Su)
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Jan. 24 (Su)
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Jan. 23 (Su)
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Jan. 21 (Su)
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Winter Recess Ends
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Jan. 25 (Su)
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Jan. 24 (Su)
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Jan. 23 (Su)
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Jan. 21 (Su)
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HARVARD GRIFFIN GSAS WINTER
Tentative Dates: Please note that all dates below are tentative and subject to change.
| Event | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Winter Recess Begins
|
Dec. 20 (Sa)
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Dec. 20 (Su)
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Dec. 19 (Su)
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Dec. 21 (Th)
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Winter Recess Ends
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Jan. 2 (F)
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Jan. 4 (M)
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Jan. 4 (Tu)
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Jan. 2 (Tu)
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January@HarvardGriffinGSAS Begins
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Jan. 12 (M)
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Jan. 11 (M)
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Jan. 10 (M)
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Jan. 8 (M)
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|
January@HarvardGriffinGSAS Ends
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Jan. 23 (F)
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Jan. 22 (F)
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Jan. 21 (F)
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Jan. 19 (F)
|
SPRING SEMESTER EVENTS FOR COLLEGE AND HARVARD GRIFFIN GSAS
Tentative Dates: Please note that all dates below are tentative and subject to change.
| Event | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Check-In Deadline for All Students
|
Jan. 26 (M)
|
Jan. 25 (M)
|
Jan. 24 (M)
|
Jan. 22 (M)
|
|
Course Registration begins (enroll in courses)
|
Nov. 5, 2025 (W)
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Nov. 4, 2026 (W)
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Nov. 3, 2027 (W)
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Nov. 1, 2028 (W)
|
|
University Holiday: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
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Jan. 19 (M)
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Jan. 18 (M)
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Jan. 17 (M)
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Jan. 15 (M)
|
|
Course Registration Deadline (For minimum course enrollment – 8 credits.) |
Nov. 19, 2025 (W)
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Nov. 18, 2026 (W)
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Nov. 17, 2027 (W)
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Nov. 15, 2028 (W)
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|
Spring Term Begins – First meeting of spring term classes.
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Jan. 26 (M)
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Jan. 25 (M)
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Jan. 24 (M)
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Jan. 22 (M)
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University Holiday: President’s Day
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Feb. 16 (M)
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Feb. 15 (M)
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Feb. 21 (M)
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Feb. 19 (M)
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Spring Recess Begins
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Mar. 14 (Sa)
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Mar. 13 (Sa)
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Mar. 11 (Sa)
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Mar. 10 (Sa)
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Spring Recess Ends
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Mar. 22 (Su)
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Mar. 21 (Su)
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Mar. 19 (Su)
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Mar. 18 (Su)
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Last Day Spring Classes
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Apr. 29 (W)
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Apr. 28 (W)
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Apr. 26 (W)
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Apr. 25 (W)
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|
Reading Period Begins
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Apr. 30 (Th)
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Apr. 29 (Th)
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Apr. 27 (Th)
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Apr. 26 (Th)
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|
Reading Period Ends
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May 6 (W)
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May 5 (W)
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May 3 (W)
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May 2 (W)
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Spring Term Final Examinations Begin
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May 7 (Th)
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May 6 (Th)
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May 4 (Th)
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May 3 (Th)
|
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Spring Term Final Examinations End
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May 16 (Sa)
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May 15 (Sa)
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May 13 (Sa)
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May 12 (Sa)
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Harvard University Commencement
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May 28 (Th)
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May 27 (Th)
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May 25 (Th)
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May 24 (Th)
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University Holiday: Memorial Day
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May 25 (M)
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May 31 (M)
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May 29 (M)
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May 28 (M)
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University Holiday: Juneteenth
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Jun. 19 (F)
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Jun. 18 (F – observed)
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Jun. 19 (M)
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Jun. 19 (Tu)
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Summer School Begins
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Jun. 22 (M)
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Jun. 21 (M)
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Jun. 20 (Tu)
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Jun. 25 (M)
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University Holiday: Independence Day
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Jul. 3 (F – observed)
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Jul. 5 (M – observed)
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Jul. 4 (Tu)
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Jul. 4 (W)
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Summer School Ends
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Aug. 7 (F)
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Aug. 6 (F)
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Aug. 4 (F)
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Aug. 10 (F)
|
Ten-Year Academic Calendar – Major Events
Ten-Year Academic Calendar. Downloadable file, ignore password request and click on Read Only to open. Current year is indicated in blue font.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Harvard University Academic Calendar?
The Harvard University Academic Calendar is an official schedule showing important academic dates, deadlines, examinations, and university events.
Where can I find the Harvard Academic Calendar 2026/2027?
Students can find the calendar on the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences Registrar website.
Who publishes the Harvard Academic Calendar?
The Harvard Registrar publishes the official academic calendar.
Does Harvard University use a semester system?
Yes, Harvard follows a semester-based academic system.
When does the Harvard Fall Semester usually start?
The Fall Semester usually begins in late August or early September.
When does the Harvard Spring Semester begin?
The Spring Semester normally begins in January.
Does the Harvard calendar include examination dates?
Yes, it includes final examination periods and academic deadlines.
Can Harvard academic calendar dates change?
Yes, dates may change due to university decisions or administrative updates.
Why should students check the academic calendar?
Students should check it to avoid missing important registration, class, and examination deadlines.
Does the Harvard Academic Calendar include holidays?
Yes, the calendar includes official university holidays and academic breaks.
Is the Harvard Academic Calendar available online?
Yes, it is available online through the Harvard Registrar website.
What information is included in the Harvard Registrar Calendar?
It includes semester dates, registration deadlines, exams, and academic events.
Who uses the Harvard Registrar Academic Calendar?
Students, faculty members, and university staff use the calendar.
Does Harvard have a winter break?
Yes, Harvard normally has a winter break between fall and spring semesters.
What is the purpose of academic deadlines?
Academic deadlines help students complete required university activities on time.
Are graduate students included in the Harvard Academic Calendar?
Yes, many graduate students use the Harvard Registrar academic schedule.
Can international students use the Harvard Academic Calendar?
Yes, international students can use it to plan their academic schedules and travel arrangements.
Where should students confirm official Harvard dates?
Students should confirm dates through the official Harvard Registrar website.
What happens if students miss registration deadlines?
Missing deadlines may affect course enrollment and academic planning.
Is the Harvard Academic Calendar updated every year?
Yes, Harvard releases updated calendars for each academic year.
