PLNU Important Dates 2026 to 27 for Parents

Fall 2026

Welcome Week runs Aug 25 to 30, and new students move in on its first day, Tuesday, Aug 25, at assigned check in times between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Parents and guests are part of the program on Tuesday and Wednesday. Residence halls open to returning students at noon on Friday, Aug 28, and classes begin Monday, Aug 31.

Family Weekend is Friday, Oct 9 and Saturday, Oct 10, 2026. Friday check in is at Campus Mall North from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the weekend wraps with an optional 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, Oct 11 at San Diego First Church of the Nazarene. Online registration closes Sunday, Oct 4, and you can still register in person at check in.

Fall break is Thursday, Oct 22 and Friday, Oct 23, with no classes. Thanksgiving recess runs Wednesday, Nov 25 through Friday, Nov 27, also with no classes.

Fall classes end Friday, Dec 11. Final exams run Monday, Dec 14 to Friday, Dec 18. Residence halls close at noon on Saturday, Dec 19, the same day as December commencement.

Spring 2027

Residence halls reopen at noon on Saturday, Jan 9 (Friday, Jan 8 for new students), and spring classes begin Monday, Jan 11. Homecoming is Friday, Feb 19 and Saturday, Feb 20, with reunions, a tailgate, and basketball. Spring break is Monday, March 8 to Friday, March 12, and the halls close at noon on Saturday, March 6 and reopen at noon on Sunday, March 14. Easter recess runs Thursday, March 25 through Monday, March 29, with no classes. Classes end Friday, April 30, finals run Monday, May 3 to Friday, May 7, and commencement weekend is May 7 to 8. Residence halls close for the year at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 9.

Planning around the holidays

With no classes Wednesday, Nov 25 through Friday, Nov 27, Thanksgiving travel can start once your student's Tuesday classes are done. The registrar's calendar does not list a residence hall closing for Thanksgiving, so ask Housing if your student plans to stay on campus over the break.

For Christmas, plan around the residence hall dates rather than the last exam. Halls close at noon on Saturday, Dec 19 and reopen at noon on Saturday, Jan 9, so a student with a Friday, Dec 18 exam needs to be packed and out by midday Saturday. Book the trip back for Jan 9 or Jan 10, ahead of the first spring class on Monday, Jan 11.

Booking around the big weekends

Family Weekend and May commencement are the two weekends when PLNU families chase the same hotel rooms. The Family Weekend page asks families to book early and request the PLNU rate at the Bartell Hotels partner properties. If you plan to come, book as soon as you know.

For commencement, the PLNU Commencement page still showed the 2026 schedule when we checked. In 2026 the traditional undergraduate ceremonies were held at the Greek Amphitheatre on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Hold the weekend of May 7 to 8, 2027, but wait for the Commencement page to post times before buying nonrefundable tickets. Questions go to commencement@pointloma.edu.

What to double check

Move in on Aug 25 happens by appointment. New students receive an assigned check in time through Student Workday by the beginning of August, and the Welcome Week page warns that early arrivals will be asked to wait off campus. The Housing Office emails residents with move out dates, instructions, and deadlines, so ask your student to forward them. The registrar can revise the calendar (the current PDF is marked revised Aug 17, 2026), and graduate and accelerated programs follow their own calendars, separate from the traditional undergraduate schedule above.