Cal Poly Important Dates 2026 to 27 for Parents
Cal Poly switched from quarters to semesters in fall 2026, so dates from an older sibling's years no longer apply. Fall runs Aug. 24 to Dec. 18, spring runs Jan. 25 to May 21, and Commencement is May 21 to 23, 2027.
Always double check the official calendar
Schools sometimes change dates. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo academic calendar.
Booking tip
Cal Poly Family Weekend is Oct 2 to 4, 2026. Hotels near campus fill early, so book as soon as you know you're coming.
Move in & orientation
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Mustang Move In for first year and new transfer students (Fall 2026)First year and new transfer residentsStudents are assigned Tuesday, Aug. 18 or Wednesday, Aug. 19 and book a 15 minute arrival slot in the Housing Portal on MyCalPoly (sign up ran Aug. 4 to Aug. 11). Early Start participants do not book a slot.Add to calendar: Mustang Move In for first year and new transfer students (Fall 2026)Source: Mustang Move-In, University Housing, Cal Poly | Tue, Aug 18 to Wed, Aug 19, 2026 |
| Week of Welcome 2026New studentsFall welcome program for new students. New Student and Transition Programs notes that Week of Welcome is only for students; families are invited to the Evening with the President in August instead.Add to calendar: Week of Welcome 2026Source: SLO Days for Parents and Supporters, New Student and Transition Programs, Cal Poly | Wed, Aug 19 to Sun, Aug 23, 2026 |
| Continuing student move in, Cerro Vista and Poly Canyon Village (Fall 2026)Continuing residentsCerro Vista continuing residents move in Aug. 21. Poly Canyon Village continuing residents move in Aug. 21 to 22. Slots were booked Aug. 6 to Aug. 11.Add to calendar: Continuing student move in, Cerro Vista and Poly Canyon Village (Fall 2026)Source: Mustang Move-In, University Housing, Cal Poly | Fri, Aug 21 to Sat, Aug 22, 2026 |
| Last day to cancel spring 2027 housing without penaltyOn campus residentsListed on the University Housing resident calendar.Add to calendar: Last day to cancel spring 2027 housing without penaltySource: Resident Calendar, University Housing, Cal Poly | Fri, Dec 25, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 semester move in (noon)On campus residentsListed on the University Housing resident calendar.Add to calendar: Spring 2027 semester move in (noon)Source: Resident Calendar, University Housing, Cal Poly | Sun, Jan 24, 202712 PM |
Classes & breaks
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 semester classes beginFirst day of the first semester under Cal Poly's new semester calendar. The university year begins Aug. 17.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 semester classes beginSource: Academic Calendar 2026-2027, Office of the Registrar, Cal Poly | Mon, Aug 24, 2026 |
| Fall Break (Thanksgiving week)The registrar's academic calendar lists Fall Break as Nov. 23 to 29. The Fall Semester planning calendar lists Nov. 23 to 27 with campus closed Thursday and Friday. Housing says fall and spring breaks are included in semester housing contracts starting fall 2026.Add to calendar: Fall Break (Thanksgiving week)Source: Academic Calendar 2026-2027, Office of the Registrar, Cal Poly | Mon, Nov 23 to Sun, Nov 29, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 last day of classesLast day of classes for the 15 week term and the second 7.5 week session.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 last day of classesSource: Academic Calendar 2026-2027, Office of the Registrar, Cal Poly | Fri, Dec 11, 2026 |
| Winter break (academic holiday)The registrar lists winter break and academic holiday as Dec. 23 to Jan. 21. University Housing lists winter break for residents as Dec. 19 to Jan. 24, from fall move out to spring move in.Add to calendar: Winter break (academic holiday)Source: Academic Calendar 2026-2027, Office of the Registrar, Cal Poly | Wed, Dec 23, 2026 to Thu, Jan 21, 2027 |
| Spring 2027 semester classes beginAdd to calendar: Spring 2027 semester classes beginSource: Academic Calendar 2026-2027, Office of the Registrar, Cal Poly | Mon, Jan 25, 2027 |
| Spring Break 2027Housing lists the same dates and says spring break is included in semester housing contracts starting fall 2026.Add to calendar: Spring Break 2027Source: Academic Calendar 2026-2027, Office of the Registrar, Cal Poly | Mon, Mar 15 to Sun, Mar 21, 2027 |
| Spring 2027 last day of classesAdd to calendar: Spring 2027 last day of classesSource: Academic Calendar 2026-2027, Office of the Registrar, Cal Poly | Fri, May 14, 2027 |
Finals
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 final examinationsThe academic calendar lists the final examination period as Dec. 14 to 18. The registrar's Fall Semester planning calendar lists final exams on Dec. 12 and Dec. 14 to 18, so check your student's exam schedule before booking travel.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 final examinationsSource: Academic Calendar 2026-2027, Office of the Registrar, Cal Poly | Mon, Dec 14 to Fri, Dec 18, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 final examinationsThe academic calendar lists the exam period as May 15 and May 17 to 21 (Sunday, May 16 is not an exam day).Add to calendar: Spring 2027 final examinationsSource: Academic Calendar 2026-2027, Office of the Registrar, Cal Poly | Sat, May 15 to Fri, May 21, 2027 |
Family weekend & homecoming
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Homecoming 2026Listed by Parent and Family Programs; event details are posted by Cal Poly Alumni.Add to calendar: Homecoming 2026Source: Annual Parent and Supporter Events, Parent and Family Programs, Cal Poly | Sat, Sep 19, 2026 |
| Mustang Family Weekend 2026One registration covers the whole family and includes a swag bag, one weekend campus parking pass and entry to campus events. Cal Poly Football hosts Weber State at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 at Spanos Stadium. General parking is in lots H1, H12, H14 and H16.Add to calendar: Mustang Family Weekend 2026Source: Mustang Family Weekend 2026, Parent and Family Programs, Cal Poly | Fri, Oct 2 to Sun, Oct 4, 2026 |
Move out
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 residents vacate (noon)On campus residentsPer the University Housing resident calendar, fall residents must vacate rooms by noon on Dec. 19. Winter break is not part of the standard contract; students who need to stay sign up separately for winter break housing.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 residents vacate (noon)Source: Resident Calendar, University Housing, Cal Poly | Sat, Dec 19, 202612 PM |
| Spring 2027 residents move out (noon)On campus residentsPer the University Housing resident calendar, spring residents must move out by noon on May 23, the last day of Commencement weekend. Housing's move out page, written for spring 2026, also asked residents to leave within 24 hours of their last final.Add to calendar: Spring 2027 residents move out (noon)Source: Resident Calendar, University Housing, Cal Poly | Sun, May 23, 202712 PM |
Commencement
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Commencement 2027Ceremony schedule by college had not been posted at the time of research. The Commencement office is at commencement@calpoly.edu or 805-756-1600.Add to calendar: Commencement 2027Source: Academic Calendar 2026-2027, Office of the Registrar, Cal Poly | Fri, May 21 to Sun, May 23, 2027 |
Other dates
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Parent and Supporter Welcome Reception: Evening with the PresidentFamilies of new studentsIncoming parents, supporters and students gather after move in to hear from campus leadership, with refreshments and live music.Add to calendar: Parent and Supporter Welcome Reception: Evening with the PresidentSource: Annual Parent and Supporter Events, Parent and Family Programs, Cal Poly | Wed, Aug 19, 2026 |
How the new semester year is built
Cal Poly runs two 15 week semesters in 2026 to 27, plus a summer term from June 1 to Aug. 6, 2027. Inside the fall semester the registrar also offers two 7.5 week sessions. The first ends Oct. 14 and the second starts Oct. 15.
Fall 2026 at a glance
- Mustang Move In: Aug. 18 or 19 for first years and new transfers (assigned day), Aug. 21 for Cerro Vista and Aug. 21 to 22 for Poly Canyon Village continuing residents
- Week of Welcome: Aug. 19 to 23, for students only
- Evening with the President for new families: Aug. 19
- Classes begin: Aug. 24
- Labor Day holiday: Sept. 7
- Homecoming: Sept. 19
- Mustang Family Weekend: Oct. 2 to 4
- Veterans Day holiday: Nov. 11
- Fall Break: Nov. 23 to 29, which covers Thanksgiving
- Last day of classes: Dec. 11
- Final exams: Dec. 14 to 18
- Residence halls vacate: noon on Dec. 19
Winter break
The registrar lists winter break as Dec. 23 to Jan. 21. Housing's version is longer, running from the noon Dec. 19 move out until spring move in at noon on Jan. 24. Winter break is not part of the standard housing contract, so a student who needs to stay in town has to sign up for winter break housing separately. When you book a December flight home, work from your student's actual last exam and the Dec. 19 deadline, not the end of the registrar's exam week alone.
Spring 2027 at a glance
- Move in: noon on Jan. 24
- Classes begin: Jan. 25
- Washington's Birthday holiday: Feb. 15
- Spring Break: March 15 to 21
- Farmworkers Day holiday: March 31
- Last day of classes: May 14
- Final exams: May 15 and May 17 to 21
- Commencement: May 21 to 23
- Residence halls close: noon on May 23
Planning around Mustang Family Weekend
In 2026 family weekend falls on the first weekend of October, and the schedule includes a 5pm Saturday home football game against Weber State at Spanos Stadium. Registration covers the whole family and includes one campus parking pass. The family weekend page points families to VisitSLO.com for hotels, so it is worth reserving a room as soon as you register.
Planning around Commencement
Commencement weekend overlaps with the end of spring finals and the noon May 23 move out, so a graduating senior and a younger sibling in the halls could both be packing the same weekend. The ceremony schedule by college for 2027 had not been posted when we checked. The Commencement office is at commencement@calpoly.edu or (805) 756-1600.
What to double check
A few dates differ depending on which Cal Poly page you read, which is not surprising in the first year of a new calendar:
- The registrar's fall planning calendar lists final exams on Saturday, Dec. 12 as well as Dec. 14 to 18.
- The same planning calendar shows Fall Break as Nov. 23 to 27, with campus closed that Thursday and Friday.
- Housing dates and academic dates are not the same thing. Halls close and open on their own schedule.
Before you buy anything nonrefundable, check the official academic calendar and your student's own exam times.
Questions about Cal Poly dates
When is Mustang Family Weekend 2026?
Friday, Oct. 2 to Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. Cal Poly Football hosts Weber State at 5pm Saturday at Spanos Stadium, and one family registration includes a swag bag and one weekend parking pass.
Is Cal Poly on quarters or semesters in 2026 to 27?
Semesters. Fall 2026 is the first semester, with classes from Aug. 24 to Dec. 11 and finals Dec. 14 to 18. Spring classes start Jan. 25, 2027.
When is Thanksgiving break at Cal Poly?
The academic calendar lists Fall Break as Nov. 23 to 29, 2026. The registrar's fall planning calendar shows campus closed Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27.
When can my student fly home for winter break?
Fall finals run Dec. 14 to 18, 2026, and residents must vacate by noon on Dec. 19. Book around your student's own last exam, since the registrar's planning calendar also lists a Saturday, Dec. 12 exam day.
When is Cal Poly Commencement 2027?
May 21 to 23, 2027, under the new semester calendar. Spring residence halls close at noon on May 23.
When is spring break 2027?
March 15 to 21, 2027. Housing says spring break is included in the spring semester housing contract.
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