Caltech Important Dates 2026 to 27 for Parents
Caltech publishes its 2026 to 27 calendar as a single registrar PDF covering fall, winter and spring terms. The dates that shape family plans are Move In Day on Sept 19, a two day Thanksgiving, Family Weekend in late January, and a Commencement on June 11 that lands on the last day of finals.
Always double check the official calendar
Schools sometimes change dates. California Institute of Technology academic calendar.
Booking tip
Caltech Family Weekend is Jan 29 to 31, 2027. Hotels near campus fill early, so book as soon as you know you're coming.
- The Athenaeum: Listed on Caltech's Family Weekend travel and accommodations page
- The Saga Motor Hotel: Listed on Caltech's Family Weekend travel and accommodations page
- Hilton Pasadena: Listed on Caltech's Family Weekend travel and accommodations page
Move in & orientation
| What | When |
|---|---|
| International Student Orientation (iBegin@Caltech)New international studentsThe registrar lists International Student Orientation, called iBegin@Caltech, from Sept 17 to 19, 2026, before the general move in day.Add to calendar: International Student Orientation (iBegin@Caltech)Source: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Thu, Sep 17 to Sat, Sep 19, 2026 |
| Family OrientationFamilies of new undergraduatesA half day program to welcome family members, held on the afternoon of Move In Day, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., according to New Student Orientation.Add to calendar: Family OrientationSource: New Student Orientation, Caltech | Sat, Sep 19, 20263:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
| Move In Day for new undergraduatesNew undergraduatesNew Student Orientation lists Move In Day as Saturday, Sept 19, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with student volunteers and Caltech staff around campus to help with unloading, check in and finding each residence. The registrar lists the same day as New Student Check In for Undergraduates.Add to calendar: Move In Day for new undergraduatesSource: New Student Orientation, Caltech | Sat, Sep 19, 20269 AM to 2 PM |
| New Student Orientation for undergraduatesNew undergraduatesThe registrar calendar lists New Student Orientation for Undergraduates from Sept 20 to 27, 2026. The New Student Orientation site describes Orientation Week as Saturday, Sept 19 through Friday, Sept 25, 2026, so check the Guidebook schedule for exact sessions.Add to calendar: New Student Orientation for undergraduatesSource: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Sun, Sep 20 to Sun, Sep 27, 2026 |
| Undergraduate housing contract beginsUndergraduates in Caltech housing, including returning studentsThe 2026 to 27 undergraduate housing contract commences at 9 a.m. on Sept 23, 2026, and the Housing Moving In page lists Sept 23 as the start of the fall contract for returning students. Housing says it will email check in procedures to residents before the contract starts. First year and transfer students move in earlier, on Sept 19. Students in New Student Orientation, International Student Orientation or FSRI are not charged for housing during those programs. Other early arrivals must be in a Caltech sponsored program, be approved by Housing, and pay a prorated daily rate.Add to calendar: Undergraduate housing contract beginsSource: 2026-27 Undergraduate Housing Contract, Caltech Housing | Wed, Sep 23, 20269 AM |
Classes & breaks
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall term instruction beginsBeginning of instruction for fall term 2026 is Monday, Sept 28 at 8 a.m. The last day for adding courses is Oct 16.Add to calendar: Fall term instruction beginsSource: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Mon, Sep 28, 20268 AM |
| Thanksgiving (Institute holiday)Thanksgiving is an Institute holiday on Thursday and Friday, Nov 26 and 27. Classes continue until Dec 2 and fall finals follow from Dec 7 to 11.Add to calendar: Thanksgiving (Institute holiday)Source: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Thu, Nov 26 to Fri, Nov 27, 2026 |
| Last day of fall term classesFall classes end Wednesday, Dec 2, followed by a study period from Dec 3 to 6.Add to calendar: Last day of fall term classesSource: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Wed, Dec 2, 2026 |
| Winter recessWinter recess runs Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. The Housing Resident Guide says Caltech Housing is open year round and that breaks are included in housing contracts, but residents must tell Housing if they will be present during breaks.Add to calendar: Winter recessSource: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Sat, Dec 12, 2026 to Sun, Jan 3, 2027 |
| Winter term instruction beginsWinter term 2027 instruction begins Monday, Jan 4 at 8 a.m. Martin Luther King Day (Jan 18) and Presidents Day (Feb 15) are Institute holidays.Add to calendar: Winter term instruction beginsSource: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Mon, Jan 4, 20278 AM |
| Last day of winter term classesWinter classes end Wednesday, March 10, followed by a study period from March 11 to 14.Add to calendar: Last day of winter term classesSource: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Wed, Mar 10, 2027 |
| Spring recessSpring recess runs Saturday, March 20 to Sunday, March 28, 2027. Spring term instruction begins Monday, March 29 at 8 a.m.Add to calendar: Spring recessSource: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Sat, Mar 20 to Sun, Mar 28, 2027 |
| Spring term instruction beginsSpring term 2027 instruction begins Monday, March 29 at 8 a.m.Add to calendar: Spring term instruction beginsSource: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Mon, Mar 29, 20278 AM |
| Last day of classes for seniors and graduate studentsSeniors and graduate studentsSeniors and graduate students finish spring classes on Wednesday, May 26, 2027, a week before other undergraduates.Add to calendar: Last day of classes for seniors and graduate studentsSource: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Wed, May 26, 2027 |
| Last day of spring classes for undergraduatesUndergraduatesUndergraduate spring classes end Wednesday, June 2, 2027, followed by a study period from June 3 to 6.Add to calendar: Last day of spring classes for undergraduatesSource: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Wed, Jun 2, 2027 |
Finals
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall term final examinationsFinal examinations for fall term run Monday, Dec 7 to Friday, Dec 11, 2026. The calendar was revised July 2, 2026 to set five day final exam periods.Add to calendar: Fall term final examinationsSource: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Mon, Dec 7 to Fri, Dec 11, 2026 |
| Winter term final examinationsFinal examinations for winter term run March 15 to 19, 2027. Winter term ends March 19.Add to calendar: Winter term final examinationsSource: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Mon, Mar 15 to Fri, Mar 19, 2027 |
| Spring term final examinations for undergraduatesUndergraduatesFinal examinations for undergraduates run Monday, June 7 to Friday, June 11, 2027. The third term ends June 11.Add to calendar: Spring term final examinations for undergraduatesSource: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Mon, Jun 7 to Fri, Jun 11, 2027 |
Family weekend & homecoming
| What | When |
|---|---|
| First Year Student Family WeekendFamilies of first year undergraduatesStudent and Family Engagement lists Family Weekend for the Class of 2030 as Jan 29 to 31, 2027, with registration opening in November 2026. The weekend welcomes families of first year undergraduates to experience campus life.Add to calendar: First Year Student Family WeekendSource: First-Year Student Family Weekend, Caltech Student and Family Engagement | Fri, Jan 29 to Sun, Jan 31, 2027 |
Move out
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate housing contract endsUndergraduates in Caltech housingThe 2026 to 27 undergraduate housing contract ends at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 12, 2027. Housing asks residents to submit an Intent to Vacate form 15 days before leaving, and items left behind are not stored, boxed or shipped.Add to calendar: Undergraduate housing contract endsSource: 2026-27 Undergraduate Housing Contract, Caltech Housing | Sat, Jun 12, 2027 |
Commencement
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Commencement 2027The registrar calendar lists Commencement on Friday, June 11, 2027 at 10 a.m., the last day of undergraduate finals. The Commencement site still shows the June 2026 ceremony, so check it in spring 2027 for guest details.Add to calendar: Commencement 2027Source: Academic Calendar 2026-27, Caltech Office of the Registrar | Fri, Jun 11, 202710 AM |
How the year is put together
Caltech runs three terms. Each one ends with a few days of study period and then a five day block of final exams, a schedule the registrar adopted in its July 2, 2026 revision of the calendar.
- Fall term: instruction begins Monday, Sept 28 at 8 a.m. Classes end Wednesday, Dec 2, study period is Dec 3 to 6, and finals run Monday, Dec 7 to Friday, Dec 11.
- Winter term: instruction begins Monday, Jan 4, 2027. Classes end March 10, and finals run March 15 to 19.
- Spring term: instruction begins Monday, March 29. Seniors and graduate students finish classes May 26, other undergraduates finish June 2, and undergraduate finals run June 7 to 11.
Moments families plan around
Arrival week. International students start with iBegin@Caltech on Sept 17 to 19. Move In Day for new undergraduates is Saturday, Sept 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by Family Orientation from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The registrar lists New Student Orientation as Sept 20 to 27, while the orientation website calls Sept 19 to 25 Orientation Week, so lean on the Guidebook schedule for specific sessions.
Thanksgiving. The Institute holiday is just Thursday, Nov 26 and Friday, Nov 27. Classes resume the following Monday, the last class day is Dec 2, and finals start Dec 7, so a cross country trip home at Thanksgiving is a tight fit. The longer window is winter recess.
Winter recess. Recess runs Saturday, Dec 12 to Sunday, Jan 3. Because Housing stays open year round, your student does not have to vacate, but Housing asks residents to tell them if they will be on campus during a break.
Family Weekend. Caltech holds its First Year Student Family Weekend in winter rather than fall. For the Class of 2030 it is Friday, Jan 29 to Sunday, Jan 31, 2027, and Student and Family Engagement says registration opens in November 2026.
Spring recess. March 20 to 28, 2027, with spring classes starting Monday, March 29.
Commencement. Friday, June 11, 2027 at 10 a.m., which is also the last day of undergraduate finals. The housing contract ends the next morning, June 12 at 11 a.m.
When to book
For winter recess, the earliest safe departure is after your student's last exam in the Dec 7 to 11 window. Ask for their exam schedule before you buy a ticket for the evening of Dec 11.
For Family Weekend, registration opens in November, about two months ahead. The Family Weekend travel page says Caltech has partnered with several hotels, so check the registration materials for any group rate before booking elsewhere.
For Commencement, the ceremony on June 11 and the 11 a.m. June 12 housing deadline leave graduating families less than a day between celebrating and packing out. Book a room for the night of June 11 at least, and consider June 10 too.
What to double check
- The registrar posts the 2026 to 27 calendar as a PDF and also keeps an online calendar. If the two ever disagree, the registrar's office at (626) 395-6354 can confirm.
- Housing emails check in procedures to residents before the contract begins on Sept 23.
- The Commencement site still shows the June 2026 ceremony, so check it in spring for 2027 guest details.
Questions about Caltech dates
When is move in day at Caltech for fall 2026?
New undergraduates move in on Saturday, Sept 19, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Family Orientation follows the same day from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
When is Caltech Family Weekend?
First Year Student Family Weekend for the Class of 2030 is Jan 29 to 31, 2027. Student and Family Engagement says registration opens in November 2026.
Does Caltech get a full week off for Thanksgiving?
No. Thanksgiving is an Institute holiday on Thursday, Nov 26 and Friday, Nov 27 only. Fall classes end Dec 2 and finals run Dec 7 to 11.
When does winter break start and end?
Winter recess runs Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. Winter term instruction begins Monday, Jan 4 at 8 a.m.
When is Caltech Commencement 2027?
The registrar lists Commencement on Friday, June 11, 2027 at 10 a.m. That is also the last day of undergraduate finals.
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