Embry Riddle Prescott Important Dates 2026 to 27 for Parents
Prescott runs two semesters plus three summer terms, and the university publishes the full 2026 to 27 calendar in its catalog. Breaks here are short, so the dates below are the ones far from home families build their flight plans around.
Always double check the official calendar
Schools sometimes change dates. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott academic calendar.
Booking tip
Embry Riddle Prescott Family Weekend is Oct 1 to 3, 2026. Hotels near campus fill early, so book as soon as you know you're coming.
Move in & orientation
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 new student move in dayNew studentsNew Student Orientation lists Move In Day as Aug. 19, 2026. Students stop first at the ERAU Check In area for orientation materials and residence hall keys, then move their car to Lots B to F after unloading.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 new student move in daySource: New Student Orientation, Embry-Riddle Prescott (EagleLife) | Wed, Aug 19, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 New Student OrientationNew studentsOrientation events run Aug. 19 to 23, 2026, ahead of the first day of classes on Aug. 24.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 New Student OrientationSource: New Student Orientation, Embry-Riddle Prescott (EagleLife) | Wed, Aug 19 to Sun, Aug 23, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 move in (all students)All residentsThe Prescott housing calendar lists Move In for all students on Jan. 11, 2027.Add to calendar: Spring 2027 move in (all students)Source: Housing Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Mon, Jan 11, 2027 |
| Returning student housing contracts closeReturning studentsReturning student housing contracts open March 1 to 5 and close March 21, 2027. Roommate selection runs March 23 to April 4 and room selection April 6 to 11.Add to calendar: Returning student housing contracts closeSource: Housing Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Sun, Mar 21, 2027 |
Classes & breaks
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 classes beginThe 2026 to 27 catalog calendar lists fall classes beginning Monday, Aug. 24. The last day of late registration is Aug. 28.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 classes beginSource: Academic Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2026-2027 Catalog | Mon, Aug 24, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 student fall breakThe catalog calendar lists Student Fall Break on Oct. 15 to 16 (Thursday and Friday), which makes a four day weekend before classes on Monday, Oct. 19.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 student fall breakSource: Academic Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2026-2027 Catalog | Thu, Oct 15 to Fri, Oct 16, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving break 2026The catalog calendar lists Thanksgiving Break on Nov. 25 to 27 (Wednesday to Friday). Classes resume Monday, Nov. 30.Add to calendar: Thanksgiving break 2026Source: Academic Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2026-2027 Catalog | Wed, Nov 25 to Fri, Nov 27, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 last day of classesLast day of fall classes is Thursday, Dec. 3, followed by a Study Day on Friday, Dec. 4.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 last day of classesSource: Academic Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2026-2027 Catalog | Thu, Dec 3, 2026 |
| Winter break between semestersThe university calendar does not name a winter break. These are the days between the last fall final exam (Dec. 10) and the first day of spring classes (Jan. 13). Housing lists spring move in for all students on Jan. 11. December residence hall closing times were not posted on the Housing Calendars page when we checked, so confirm with Housing and Residence Life before booking flights.Add to calendar: Winter break between semestersSource: Academic Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Fri, Dec 11, 2026 to Tue, Jan 12, 2027 |
| Spring 2027 classes beginSpring classes begin Wednesday, Jan. 13. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 18) and Presidents' Day (Feb. 15) are holidays.Add to calendar: Spring 2027 classes beginSource: Academic Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2026-2027 Catalog | Wed, Jan 13, 2027 |
| Spring break 2027The catalog calendar lists Spring Break March 15 to 19, 2027 (Monday to Friday).Add to calendar: Spring break 2027Source: Academic Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2026-2027 Catalog | Mon, Mar 15 to Fri, Mar 19, 2027 |
| Spring 2027 last day of classesLast day of spring classes is Thursday, April 29, with a Study Day on Friday, April 30.Add to calendar: Spring 2027 last day of classesSource: Academic Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2026-2027 Catalog | Thu, Apr 29, 2027 |
Finals
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 final examsFinal exams are Saturday, Dec. 5 and Monday, Dec. 7 to Thursday, Dec. 10. There are no exams on Sunday, Dec. 6.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 final examsSource: Academic Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2026-2027 Catalog | Sat, Dec 5 to Thu, Dec 10, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 final examsFinal exams are Saturday, May 1 and Monday, May 3 to Thursday, May 6.Add to calendar: Spring 2027 final examsSource: Academic Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2026-2027 Catalog | Sat, May 1 to Thu, May 6, 2027 |
Family weekend & homecoming
| What | When |
|---|---|
| OctoberWest and Family Weekend 2026Lift, the university's alumni magazine, lists OctoberWest for Oct. 1 to 3, 2026, and the university's events listing names it OctoberWest & Family Weekend 2026, starting Oct. 1 at 10am on the Prescott campus, free to attend. Oct. 1 is also a no classes day for the Industry/Career Expo.Add to calendar: OctoberWest and Family Weekend 2026Source: Come Home for the Centennial, Lift Magazine (Embry-Riddle) | Thu, Oct 1 to Sat, Oct 3, 202610 AM |
Move out
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Residence halls close for the summerResidents without a Summer A housing contractHousing lists May 9, 2027: residence halls close at 12pm (noon) for students without a completed Summer A housing contract.Add to calendar: Residence halls close for the summerSource: Housing Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Sun, May 9, 202712 PM |
Commencement
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 commencementFall 2026 graduatesThe Prescott graduation page lists the ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026 at 9am at Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, lasting about two hours. No tickets are required. Graduates arrive and line up at 7am. The catalog calendar still labels this date "Tentative," so confirm close to the date.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 commencementSource: Prescott Graduation Ceremonies, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Sat, Dec 12, 20269 AM |
| Spring 2027 commencementSpring 2027 graduatesThe catalog calendar lists Commencement on Saturday, May 8, 2027. Time and venue for the May ceremony were not posted on the graduation page when we checked.Add to calendar: Spring 2027 commencementSource: Academic Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2026-2027 Catalog | Sat, May 8, 2027 |
Other dates
| What | When |
|---|---|
| No classes: Industry/Career ExpoThe catalog calendar lists Oct. 1 as "No Classes, Industry/Career Expo."Add to calendar: No classes: Industry/Career ExpoSource: Academic Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2026-2027 Catalog | Thu, Oct 1, 2026 |
| Veterans Day holidayListed as a holiday (no classes) on the 2026 to 27 catalog calendar for Prescott.Add to calendar: Veterans Day holidaySource: Academic Calendars, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 2026-2027 Catalog | Wed, Nov 11, 2026 |
How the calendar is built
The fall semester runs Aug. 24 to Dec. 10, 2026, and spring runs Jan. 13 to May 6, 2027. Summer is split into Term A (May 18 to June 28), Term B (June 29 to Aug. 9) and a full Term C (May 18 to Aug. 9), which matters if your student plans to stay for summer classes or flight work.
New students arrive first. Move In Day for fall 2026 was Wednesday, Aug. 19, and orientation ran Aug. 19 to 23, so first year families should expect to be in Prescott for most of the week before classes.
Fall 2026 dates worth a calendar alert
- Oct. 1: no classes, Industry/Career Expo.
- Oct. 1 to 3: OctoberWest and Family Weekend.
- Oct. 15 and 16: student fall break. Classes resume Monday, Oct. 19, so the break is a four day weekend, not a full week.
- Nov. 11: Veterans Day holiday.
- Nov. 25 to 27: Thanksgiving break, Wednesday through Friday. Classes resume Monday, Nov. 30.
- Dec. 3: last day of classes, then a study day on Dec. 4.
- Dec. 5 and Dec. 7 to 10: final exams, including a Saturday exam day.
- Dec. 12: fall commencement, 9am at Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.
Spring 2027 dates
Housing lists spring move in for all students on Monday, Jan. 11, two days before classes start on Jan. 13. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 18) and Presidents' Day (Feb. 15) are holidays. Spring break is March 15 to 19. Classes end April 29, finals run May 1 and May 3 to 6, and commencement is Saturday, May 8. According to Housing, residence halls close at noon on May 9 for students who do not have a Summer A housing contract.
Planning flights around short breaks
Thanksgiving is the tricky one. With only Wednesday to Friday off, a student flying across the country has Wednesday through Sunday, travel days included, and the Groome shuttle timetable shows about three hours from the campus stop to Sky Harbor. Check your student's Tuesday class schedule before buying a Tuesday night flight.
Winter break is not named on the university calendar. In practice it is the stretch between the last fall exam on Dec. 10 and spring move in on Jan. 11. Your student's own last exam may come earlier in that week, but Housing had not posted December closing times when we checked, so confirm with Housing and Residence Life before booking a flight home.
Booking for family weekend and commencement
OctoberWest also draws alumni back to campus, and it shares Oct. 1 with the career expo. With alumni, families and employers all in town the same week, book a room as soon as you know you are coming. The December ceremony sits two days after finals end, which makes it easy to combine with bringing your student home for the break.
What to double check
The academic calendar page notes that dates are subject to change. The catalog still marks the December commencement "Tentative" even though the graduation page lists a time and venue, and the May 8 ceremony did not have a venue posted yet. Before you pay for a nonrefundable flight, look at the official academic calendar one more time and confirm you are on the Prescott tab.
Questions about Embry Riddle Prescott dates
When is move in at Embry Riddle Prescott for fall 2026?
New students moved in on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, the first day of orientation (Aug. 19 to 23). Fall classes begin Monday, Aug. 24.
When is Family Weekend at Embry Riddle Prescott?
OctoberWest and Family Weekend 2026 is Oct. 1 to 3, starting Oct. 1 at 10am on the Prescott campus. It is free to attend, and details are on the university's events listing.
How long is Thanksgiving break at Embry Riddle Prescott?
Thanksgiving break is Wednesday to Friday, Nov. 25 to 27, 2026. Classes resume Monday, Nov. 30.
When are fall 2026 finals, and when can my student fly home for winter break?
Final exams are Dec. 5 and Dec. 7 to 10, 2026. The calendar does not name a winter break; spring move in is Jan. 11, 2027, and classes start Jan. 13. Confirm December hall closing times with Housing before booking.
When is spring break 2027 at Embry Riddle Prescott?
Spring break is March 15 to 19, 2027.
When and where is commencement?
Fall commencement is Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026 at 9am at Findlay Toyota Center, 3201 N. Main St., Prescott Valley. No tickets are required. Spring commencement is listed for Saturday, May 8, 2027.
Get Embry Riddle Prescott key dates and reminders
Up to 2 emails a month. Unsubscribe anytime.
Join the Embry Riddle Prescott parents group
Embry Riddle Prescott Parents & Families: Far From Home. Free, private, parents and families only.
Independent parent community. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott.
Last verified
Know something other Embry Riddle Prescott parents should? Share a tip