Westmont Important Dates 2026 to 27 for Parents
Westmont runs on two semesters plus an optional Mayterm. The registrar's 2026 to 27 Important Dates sheet sets the anchors families plan travel around: fall finals Dec 15 to 18, spring break Mar 15 to 19, and commencement on Saturday, May 8, 2027.
Always double check the official calendar
Schools sometimes change dates. Westmont College academic calendar.
Booking tip
Westmont Family Weekend is Oct 30 to Nov 1, 2026. Hotels near campus fill early, so book as soon as you know you're coming.
- Montecito Inn: Listed on Westmont's hotel recommendations page, which the Parent & Family Weekend page links to.
- Inn on Summer Hill: Listed on Westmont's hotel recommendations page, which the Parent & Family Weekend page links to.
- Casa Del Mar Inn: Listed on Westmont's hotel recommendations page, which the Parent & Family Weekend page links to.
Move in & orientation
| What | When |
|---|---|
| New Student Move In (Fall 2026)New first year and transfer studentsResidence Life lists Wednesday, Aug 26 check in by last name: first years 8:00 to 11:00 a.m., transfer students 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., entering at the main campus entrance on La Paz Road. The registrar calendar also lists Aug 26 as new student move in. An older admissions Warrior Welcome FAQ page still says August 24; the 2026 to 27 Residence Life and registrar pages both say Aug 26.Add to calendar: New Student Move In (Fall 2026)Source: 2026-2027 Check-In Process and Returning to Campus | Westmont Residence Life | Wed, Aug 26, 20268 AM to 11 AM |
| New Student Orientation (Fall 2026)New students and their familiesThe academic calendar lists new student orientation Aug 26 to 30. Parent Orientation runs alongside it and costs $80 per adult and $20 per child ages 5 to 12, per the Parent Orientation page.Add to calendar: New Student Orientation (Fall 2026)Source: Academic Calendar | Westmont College | Wed, Aug 26 to Sun, Aug 30, 2026 |
| Returning Student Check In (Fall 2026)Returning studentsReturning students check in at a table in their own residence hall: Saturday, Aug 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Aug 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. Moving in outside official times may result in a $100 charge.Add to calendar: Returning Student Check In (Fall 2026)Source: 2026-2027 Check-In Process and Returning to Campus | Westmont Residence Life | Sat, Aug 29 to Sun, Aug 30, 2026 |
| Residence Halls Reopen for Spring 2027Residents returning for springWestmont's academic calendar lists Saturday, Jan 9, 2027 as the day residence halls open at noon, two days before spring classes begin Jan 11. The Residence Life Policies page says halls reopen at 11 a.m. on the Saturday before spring classes, so the two pages differ by an hour. Plan on noon.Add to calendar: Residence Halls Reopen for Spring 2027Source: Academic Calendar | Westmont College | Sat, Jan 9, 202712 PM |
Classes & breaks
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 Classes BeginMonday, Aug 31, per the registrar's Important Dates sheet for 2026 to 27.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 Classes BeginSource: Important Dates for Academic Year 2026-27 (Westmont Office of the Registrar) | Mon, Aug 31, 2026 |
| Fall Holiday 2026Monday and Tuesday, Oct 12 to 13. With the weekend before it, students have four days off.Add to calendar: Fall Holiday 2026Source: Important Dates for Academic Year 2026-27 (Westmont Office of the Registrar) | Mon, Oct 12 to Tue, Oct 13, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving Holiday 2026Wednesday to Friday, Nov 25 to 27. Westmont's holiday transportation page says the campus shuttle ends Wednesday at 7 p.m. with no service Thursday to Saturday.Add to calendar: Thanksgiving Holiday 2026Source: Important Dates for Academic Year 2026-27 (Westmont Office of the Registrar) | Wed, Nov 25 to Fri, Nov 27, 2026 |
| Last Day of Fall 2026 ClassesFriday, Dec 11.Add to calendar: Last Day of Fall 2026 ClassesSource: Important Dates for Academic Year 2026-27 (Westmont Office of the Registrar) | Fri, Dec 11, 2026 |
| Christmas Break 2026 to 27 (residence halls closed)All residentsWestmont's academic calendar has residence halls closing at noon on Saturday, Dec 19 and opening at noon on Saturday, Jan 9. Residence Life Policies say students in the halls over Christmas break without official approval are charged a minimum of $100. That policies page gives 11 a.m. for the January reopening, so plan on noon.Add to calendar: Christmas Break 2026 to 27 (residence halls closed)Source: Academic Calendar | Westmont College | Sat, Dec 19, 2026 to Sat, Jan 9, 2027 |
| Spring 2027 Classes BeginMonday, Jan 11, 2027.Add to calendar: Spring 2027 Classes BeginSource: Important Dates for Academic Year 2026-27 (Westmont Office of the Registrar) | Mon, Jan 11, 2027 |
| Spring Break 2027Monday to Friday, Mar 15 to 19, 2027 (the online academic calendar calls it Spring Recess). Residence Life says students may stay with advance signup, but no dining or custodial service is provided and guests may not stay in the halls.Add to calendar: Spring Break 2027Source: Important Dates for Academic Year 2026-27 (Westmont Office of the Registrar) | Mon, Mar 15 to Fri, Mar 19, 2027 |
| Last Day of Spring 2027 ClassesThursday, Apr 29, 2027.Add to calendar: Last Day of Spring 2027 ClassesSource: Important Dates for Academic Year 2026-27 (Westmont Office of the Registrar) | Thu, Apr 29, 2027 |
Finals
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 Final ExamsTuesday to Friday, Dec 15 to 18.Add to calendar: Fall 2026 Final ExamsSource: Important Dates for Academic Year 2026-27 (Westmont Office of the Registrar) | Tue, Dec 15 to Fri, Dec 18, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 Final ExamsMonday to Thursday, May 3 to 6, 2027.Add to calendar: Spring 2027 Final ExamsSource: Important Dates for Academic Year 2026-27 (Westmont Office of the Registrar) | Mon, May 3 to Thu, May 6, 2027 |
Family weekend & homecoming
| What | When |
|---|---|
| New Warrior Family Weekend 2026Families of first year and transfer studentsNo registration fee; advance registration is requested, especially for the Saturday Parent Brunch and Learn. Friday check in runs 8:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the Kerr Student Center, with chapel in Murchison Gym and a parents reception on the President's Patio.Add to calendar: New Warrior Family Weekend 2026Source: New Warrior Family Weekend | Westmont College | Fri, Oct 30 to Sun, Nov 1, 20268 AM |
Move out
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall Check Out and Residence Halls Close (Dec 2026)All residentsWestmont's academic calendar lists Saturday, Dec 19 as the day residence halls close at noon. Housing sets fall check out at noon on the Saturday immediately after finals (finals end Friday, Dec 18), and Residence Life Policies say students in the halls over Christmas break without official approval are charged a minimum of $100.Add to calendar: Fall Check Out and Residence Halls Close (Dec 2026)Source: Academic Calendar | Westmont College | Sat, Dec 19, 202612 PM |
| Spring Check Out (May 2027)Residents not graduating or authorized to stayWestmont's academic calendar lists Friday, May 7, 2027 as the day residence halls close at noon. Housing sets the spring check out deadline at noon on the Friday of finals week (finals May 3 to 6).Add to calendar: Spring Check Out (May 2027)Source: Academic Calendar | Westmont College | Fri, May 7, 202712 PM |
Commencement
| What | When |
|---|---|
| 2027 CommencementSaturday, May 8, 2027, per the registrar. Time and venue for 2027 were not yet posted; the 2026 ceremony ran 9 a.m. to noon on Thorrington Field with a processional from Kerrwood Hall.Add to calendar: 2027 CommencementSource: Important Dates for Academic Year 2026-27 (Westmont Office of the Registrar) | Sat, May 8, 2027 |
Other dates
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Martin Luther King Holiday 2027Monday, Jan 18, 2027.Add to calendar: Martin Luther King Holiday 2027Source: Important Dates for Academic Year 2026-27 (Westmont Office of the Registrar) | Mon, Jan 18, 2027 |
| Presidents' Holiday 2027Monday and Tuesday, Feb 15 to 16, 2027.Add to calendar: Presidents' Holiday 2027Source: Important Dates for Academic Year 2026-27 (Westmont Office of the Registrar) | Mon, Feb 15 to Tue, Feb 16, 2027 |
| Easter Break 2027Friday to Monday, Mar 26 to 29, 2027.Add to calendar: Easter Break 2027Source: Important Dates for Academic Year 2026-27 (Westmont Office of the Registrar) | Fri, Mar 26 to Mon, Mar 29, 2027 |
| Mayterm 2027 Classes BeginStudents enrolled in MaytermMonday, May 10, 2027, per the online academic calendar.Add to calendar: Mayterm 2027 Classes BeginSource: Academic Calendar | Westmont College | Mon, May 10, 2027 |
The 2026 to 27 framework
The Office of the Registrar has posted an Important Dates sheet for 2026 to 27, and the online academic calendar adds move in and residence hall dates. It is short, so it is easy to keep in your head. Fall semester classes run from Monday, Aug 31 through Friday, Dec 11, and final exams fall Tuesday, Dec 15 to Friday, Dec 18. Spring semester classes run from Monday, Jan 11 through Thursday, Apr 29, with finals Monday, May 3 to Thursday, May 6. Commencement is Saturday, May 8, 2027, and Mayterm classes begin Monday, May 10 for students who enroll.
Breaks inside each semester
Westmont's calendar has several short pauses, and each is a chance for a visit or a quick trip home:
- Fall Holiday: Monday and Tuesday, Oct 12 and 13. Paired with the weekend, that is four days.
- Thanksgiving Holiday: Wednesday, Nov 25 to Friday, Nov 27.
- Martin Luther King Holiday: Monday, Jan 18.
- Presidents' Holiday: Monday and Tuesday, Feb 15 and 16.
- Spring Break: Monday, Mar 15 to Friday, Mar 19.
- Easter Break: Friday, Mar 26 to Monday, Mar 29.
Over spring break, Residence Life lets students stay on campus if they sign up ahead of time, though no dining or custodial services run and guests may not stay in the halls.
Booking flights around finals
This is where far from home families get caught. The academic calendar closes the halls at noon on Saturday, Dec 19, the day after fall finals end. Students cannot stay through Christmas Break without official approval, so a flight on Dec 19 or earlier lines up with the rules. Halls reopen on Saturday, Jan 9, two days before spring classes. The academic calendar says noon and the Residence Life Policies page says 11 a.m., so plan on noon, and a Jan 9 afternoon or Jan 10 arrival works.
In spring, halls close at noon on Friday, May 7, 2027, the Friday of finals week. Graduates and students Housing authorizes to stay (athletes, Mayterm students, summer employees, summer Ocean View residents) have until noon on the Sunday after commencement. Residence Life does no check outs on commencement Saturday.
Family weekend and commencement
New Warrior Family Weekend runs Friday, Oct 30 to Sunday, Nov 1, 2026, for first year and transfer families. There is no fee, but Parent Relations asks you to register in advance, especially if you plan to attend Saturday's Parent Brunch and Learn. The spring Parent & Family Weekend was Mar 27 to 29 in 2026; watch the Parent Relations page for the 2027 date, since Easter Break falls on that same late March weekend in 2027.
For commencement, the 2026 ceremony ran 9 a.m. to noon on Thorrington Field, with a bagpipers' processional and division receptions afterward. Westmont had not posted the 2027 time and venue yet.
What to double check
Some older Westmont pages still show earlier years. The admissions Warrior Welcome FAQ, for example, lists move in as August 24, while the 2026 to 27 registrar calendar and Residence Life check in page both say Aug 26. When dates disagree, trust the registrar's academic calendar and confirm with Housing before you book anything nonrefundable.
Questions about Westmont dates
When is Westmont's New Warrior Family Weekend in 2026?
Friday, Oct 30 to Sunday, Nov 1, 2026, for families of first year and transfer students. There is no registration fee, but Parent Relations asks you to register in advance, especially for the Saturday brunch.
When is Westmont commencement 2027?
Saturday, May 8, 2027, according to the registrar. The 2026 ceremony ran 9 a.m. to noon on Thorrington Field; check the commencement page for the 2027 time and place.
When should my student fly home for winter break?
Fall finals end Friday, Dec 18, and residence halls close at noon on Saturday, Dec 19. Students in the halls over Christmas Break without official approval are charged a minimum of $100, so plan to fly out by Dec 19.
When do the residence halls reopen in January?
On Saturday, Jan 9, 2027, two days before spring classes begin on Monday, Jan 11. Westmont's academic calendar says the halls open at noon, while the Residence Life Policies page says 11 a.m., so plan on noon.
When is Westmont spring break 2027?
Monday, Mar 15 to Friday, Mar 19, 2027. There is also an Easter Break from Friday, Mar 26 to Monday, Mar 29.
Does Westmont have a fall break?
Yes. The Fall Holiday is Monday and Tuesday, Oct 12 and 13, 2026, and the Thanksgiving Holiday runs Wednesday, Nov 25 to Friday, Nov 27.
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