USD Important Dates 2026 to 27 for Parents
USD runs two semesters with a January Intersession between them. For 2026 to 27 the moments most families plan around are Homecoming and Family Weekend in mid October, fall finals ending December 18, spring break in late March and commencement on Sunday, May 23, 2027.
Always double check the official calendar
Schools sometimes change dates. University of San Diego academic calendar.
Booking tip
USD Family Weekend is Oct 16 to 18, 2026. Hotels near campus fill early, so book as soon as you know you're coming.
- The Dana on Mission Bay: Bartell partner hotels were listed on USD's 2023 Homecoming and Family Week travel page.
- Humphreys Half Moon Inn: Bartell partner hotels were listed on USD's 2023 Homecoming and Family Week travel page.
- Best Western Plus Island Palms: Bartell partner hotels were listed on USD's 2023 Homecoming and Family Week travel page.
Move in & orientation
| What | When |
|---|---|
| International Student Move In Day (Fall 2026)International studentsListed on the undergraduate calendar. International Student Orientation Days follow on August 26 to 28.Add to calendar: International Student Move In Day (Fall 2026)Source: University of San Diego 2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar | Tue, Aug 25, 2026 |
| OLÉ Weekend, New Student Orientation (Fall 2026)New first year and transfer studentsNew student orientation weekend, Saturday to Monday, per the undergraduate calendar.Add to calendar: OLÉ Weekend, New Student Orientation (Fall 2026)Source: University of San Diego 2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar | Sat, Aug 29 to Mon, Aug 31, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 residence halls open (housing agreement start)On campus residentsThe 2026 to 27 housing terms start the fall agreement period at "10 am on Sunday, August 30, 2026, for all Residents." The terms also say halls open earlier for residents taking part in new student orientation.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 residence halls open (housing agreement start)Source: 2026-2027 Housing and Dining Terms and Conditions (USD Residential Life) | Sun, Aug 30, 202610 AM |
| International Student Move In Day (Spring 2027)International studentsInternational Student Orientation Days follow on January 21 and 22.Add to calendar: International Student Move In Day (Spring 2027)Source: University of San Diego 2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar | Wed, Jan 20, 2027 |
| New Student Spring OrientationNew spring studentsSaturday and Sunday before spring classes begin.Add to calendar: New Student Spring OrientationSource: University of San Diego 2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar | Sat, Jan 23 to Sun, Jan 24, 2027 |
| Spring 2027 residence halls openOn campus residentsThe housing terms start the spring agreement period at "10 am on Saturday, January 23, 2027, for all Residents."Add to calendar: Spring 2027 residence halls openSource: 2026-2027 Housing and Dining Terms and Conditions (USD Residential Life) | Sat, Jan 23, 202710 AM |
Classes & breaks
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 classes beginUndergraduatesTuesday, September 1. The calendar notes the first day meets as a Monday class day; regular Wednesday classes meet September 2.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 classes beginSource: University of San Diego 2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar | Tue, Sep 1, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving Holiday (no classes)UndergraduatesNo classes Wednesday to Friday; university offices are closed Thursday and Friday.Add to calendar: Thanksgiving Holiday (no classes)Source: University of San Diego 2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar | Wed, Nov 25 to Fri, Nov 27, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 last day of classesUndergraduatesFollowed by study days on Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 last day of classesSource: University of San Diego 2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar | Fri, Dec 11, 2026 |
| Winter break and Intersession (residence halls closed)The housing terms say residence halls are closed during the Winter/Christmas and Intersession vacation periods, except Manchester Village and Pacific Ridge, and that first year residents must vacate unless Residential Life approves otherwise in writing. Hardship housing is by written request at $65 per night. Intersession classes run January 4 to 22, 2027. Halls reopen at 10 am on Saturday, January 23, 2027.Add to calendar: Winter break and Intersession (residence halls closed)Source: 2026-2027 Housing and Dining Terms and Conditions (USD Residential Life) | Sat, Dec 19, 2026 to Sat, Jan 23, 2027 |
| Spring 2027 classes beginUndergraduatesMonday, January 25. The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday is Monday, January 18.Add to calendar: Spring 2027 classes beginSource: University of San Diego 2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar | Mon, Jan 25, 2027 |
| Easter and Spring Break (no classes)UndergraduatesMonday, March 22 to Monday, March 29. The housing terms pause the spring agreement period at noon on Saturday, March 20 and resume it at 10 am on Monday, March 29; confirm break housing with Residential Life.Add to calendar: Easter and Spring Break (no classes)Source: University of San Diego 2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar | Mon, Mar 22 to Mon, Mar 29, 2027 |
| Spring 2027 last day of classesUndergraduatesFollowed by study days on May 11 and 12.Add to calendar: Spring 2027 last day of classesSource: University of San Diego 2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar | Mon, May 10, 2027 |
Finals
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 final examinationsUndergraduatesMonday to Friday. Fall final grades are due January 4, 2027.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 final examinationsSource: University of San Diego 2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar | Mon, Dec 14 to Fri, Dec 18, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 final examinationsUndergraduatesThursday, May 13 to Wednesday, May 19.Add to calendar: Spring 2027 final examinationsSource: University of San Diego 2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar | Thu, May 13 to Wed, May 19, 2027 |
Family weekend & homecoming
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Homecoming and Family Weekend 2026Families and alumni come to campus for activities with students and a Torero football game. The Parent Advisory Board's Evening Under the Stars fundraiser is Friday, October 16.Add to calendar: Homecoming and Family Weekend 2026Source: Parent and Family Events, University of San Diego | Fri, Oct 16 to Sun, Oct 18, 2026 |
| Grandparents and Family Spring WeekendA spring weekend for grandparents and families to experience campus life with their student, per the Parent and Family Relations events page.Add to calendar: Grandparents and Family Spring WeekendSource: Parent and Family Events, University of San Diego | Fri, Feb 19 to Sun, Feb 21, 2027 |
Move out
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 residence halls closeOn campus residents (Manchester Village and Pacific Ridge have continuous occupancy)The housing terms end the fall agreement period 24 hours after the resident's last examination or at noon on Saturday, December 19, 2026, whichever comes earlier.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 residence halls closeSource: 2026-2027 Housing and Dining Terms and Conditions (USD Residential Life) | Sat, Dec 19, 202612 PM |
| Spring 2027 residence halls closeOn campus residentsThe housing terms end the spring agreement period 24 hours after the resident's last examination or at noon on Thursday, May 20, 2027, whichever comes earlier. Manchester Village and Pacific Ridge continuous occupancy for upper class undergraduates also ends May 20 at noon.Add to calendar: Spring 2027 residence halls closeSource: 2026-2027 Housing and Dining Terms and Conditions (USD Residential Life) | Thu, May 20, 202712 PM |
Commencement
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Mid Year Graduation Celebration (Mass and Reception)December graduatesListed on the undergraduate calendar for Friday, December 11, 2026.Add to calendar: Mid Year Graduation Celebration (Mass and Reception)Source: University of San Diego 2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar | Fri, Dec 11, 2026 |
| Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies 2027UndergraduatesSunday, May 23, 2027. Honors Convocation is Tuesday, May 4 and the NROTC Commissioning Ceremony is Thursday, May 20.Add to calendar: Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies 2027Source: University of San Diego 2026-2027 Undergraduate Academic Calendar | Sun, May 23, 2027 |
How the USD year is built
USD's undergraduate calendar has a fall semester, a short January Intersession, a spring semester and summer sessions. Fall 2026 opened with OLÉ Weekend for new students on August 29 to 31, and classes began Tuesday, September 1, which the calendar treats as a Monday class day.
Fall 2026 dates to plan around
- Homecoming and Family Weekend: Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18.
- Thanksgiving: no classes Wednesday, November 25 to Friday, November 27. University offices close Thursday and Friday.
- Last day of classes: Friday, December 11, which is also the Mid Year Graduation Celebration (Mass and Reception).
- Study days: December 12 and 13.
- Final exams: Monday, December 14 to Friday, December 18.
- Halls close: 24 hours after your student's last exam or noon on Saturday, December 19, whichever comes first.
That last rule shapes the flight home. A student whose final ends Monday morning is expected out by Tuesday morning under the housing terms, not on Saturday. Ask your student for their exam times before you buy a December ticket.
Winter break and Intersession
Fall housing ends December 19, and halls reopen at 10 am on Saturday, January 23, 2027. In between, Intersession classes run January 4 to 22, with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on January 18. The housing terms list winter and Intersession as periods when residence halls close, apart from Manchester Village and Pacific Ridge, and first year residents must leave unless Residential Life approves a stay in writing. Hardship housing is by written request at $65 per night.
Spring 2027 dates
- International student move in: Wednesday, January 20.
- New student spring orientation: January 23 and 24.
- Classes begin: Monday, January 25.
- Grandparents and Family Spring Weekend: February 19 to 21.
- Easter and spring break: Monday, March 22 to Monday, March 29, no classes.
- Last day of classes: Monday, May 10, then study days May 11 and 12.
- Final exams: Thursday, May 13 to Wednesday, May 19.
- Halls close: 24 hours after the last exam or noon on Thursday, May 20, whichever comes first.
- Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies: Sunday, May 23.
Booking for the big weekends
Homecoming and Family Weekend is shared with returning alumni, so two crowds are looking for rooms on one October weekend. Book once you know you are going. Commencement needs a different kind of planning. Halls close May 20 and the undergraduate ceremonies are Sunday, May 23, so ask Residential Life early how seniors are handled over those three nights. Honors Convocation (May 4) and the NROTC Commissioning Ceremony (May 20) may add trips for some families.
What to double check
Spring break housing deserves a call. The housing terms pause the spring agreement period at noon on Saturday, March 20 and pick it back up at 10 am on Monday, March 29. The terms also say no meals are offered over the Thanksgiving, Christmas, Intersession, Easter and spring breaks, so plan food if your student stays nearby. If your student plans to stay on campus over any break, confirm with Residential Life at (619) 260-4777. Before booking anything, recheck the USD academic calendars page, since the university can revise dates.
Questions about USD dates
When is USD Homecoming and Family Weekend in 2026?
Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18, 2026. The Parent Advisory Board's Evening Under the Stars fundraiser is on Friday, October 16.
Does USD have a fall break?
The 2026 to 27 undergraduate calendar lists no fall break. The days off in fall are Labor Day (September 7) and Thanksgiving, with no classes November 25 to 27.
When is USD spring break in 2027?
Easter and spring break runs Monday, March 22 to Monday, March 29, 2027, with no classes. Check break housing with Residential Life before planning for your student to stay on campus.
When is USD commencement in 2027?
The Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies are Sunday, May 23, 2027. The Mid Year Graduation Celebration (Mass and Reception) for December graduates is Friday, December 11, 2026.
When should my student fly home for winter break?
Fall finals run December 14 to 18, 2026, and the housing terms require residents to leave 24 hours after their last exam or by noon on Saturday, December 19, whichever comes first. Book after you know your student's last exam time.
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