Academic Calendar 2025-26

2025-2026

DateEvent
August 11, 2025Incoming LLMs, SJDs, and ILS Exchange Residence Hall Move-in
August 11-12, 2025LL.M. Check-in (mandatory)
August 12-29, 2025LL.M. Student Orientation (mandatory)
August 20, 2025Incoming 1Ls & Transfer Residence Hall Move-in
August 20-22, 2025University ID card Pick-up (mandatory)
August 22, 2025J.D. Student Orientation Activities (optional)
August 25-28, 2025J.D. Student Orientation Activities (mandatory)
August 28, 2025Returning 2Ls, 3Ls, and continuing SJDs Residence Hall Move-in
September 1, 2025Labor Day – No Classes; Administrative offices will be closed 
September 2, 2025Fall Term Classes Begin for All Students  
October 13, 2025Columbus Day (Federal) Indigenous Peoples’ Day (City of Cambridge) –  No Classes; Administrative offices will be closed  
October 14, 2025All Fall Term Classes will follow a Monday schedule
November 11, 2025Veteran’s Day – Classes Held for All Students; Administrative offices will be closed
November 25, 2025Fall Term Classes End for All Students
November 26-28, 2025Thanksgiving Recess
December 4-16, 2025Upper-level Fall Term Exam Period
December 8-15, 20251L Fall Term Exam Period 
December 17, 2025 – January 4, 2026Winter Break All Students
January 1, 2026New Year’s Day – Administrative offices will be closed
January 5, 2026Winter Term Classes Begin 
January 19, 2026Martin Luther King Day – No Classes; Administrative offices will be closed
January 21, 2026Winter Term Classes End for Upper-level and 1L Students
January 23, 2026Upper-level Winter Term Exams; Final day for all Winter Term Academic Programming
January 26, 2026Spring Term Classes Begin for All Students
February 16, 2026Presidents Day – All Classes Meet; Administrative offices will be closed
March 14-22, 2026Spring Break
April 24, 2026Spring Term Classes End for All Students
April 29 – May 8, 2026Upper-level and 1L Elective Spring Term Exam Period
May 11-15, 20261L Required Courses Spring Term Exam Period
May 25, 2026Memorial Day; Administrative offices will be closed 
May 28, 2026Harvard University Commencement