Academic Calendar 2025-2026
Bowdoin's 224th Academic Year
PDF version available for 2023-2024
Bowdoin's policies surrounding religious holidays and college holidays are below
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Fall 2025 (proposed) |
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| August 22-24, Fri.-Sun. | New international student orientation, beginning Friday 5:00 p.m. |
| August 25, Mon. | New student arrival day |
| August 26-Sept. 1, Tues. through Mon. | Orientation for new students |
| Aug. 27-Aug. 30, Weds.–Sat. | Orientation trips for new students |
| August 30, Sat. | College housing ready for occupancy for returning students, noon |
| September 1, Mon. | New student advising and course registration |
| September 1, Mon. | Opening of the College—Convocation, 3:30 p.m. |
| September 2, Tues. | Fall semester classes begin, 8:00 am |
| Sept. 18-20, Thurs.-Sat. | Alumni Council, Alumni Fund Directors and BRAVO National Advisory Board meetings |
| Sept. 18-20, Thurs.–Sat. | Explore Bowdoin I |
| October 3-5, Fri.–Sun. | Homecoming Weekend |
| October 10, Fri. | Fall vacation begins after last class |
| October 15, Wed. | Fall vacation ends, 8:00 am |
| October 16-18, Thurs.–Sat. | Meetings of the Board of Trustees |
| October 16-18, Thurs.–Sat. | Explore Bowdoin II |
| October 24, Fri. | Sarah and James Bowdoin Day Ceremony |
| October 24-26, Fri.–Sun. | Family Weekend |
| November 21, Fri. | Thanksgiving vacation begins after last class (no classes M-F, administrative offices open through Tuesday, November 25 and closed W-F) |
| December 1, Mon. | Thanksgiving vacation ends, 8:00 am |
| December 12, Fri. | Last day of classes |
| Dec. 13-16, Sat.–Tues. | Reading period |
| Dec. 17-21, Weds.–Sun. | Fall semester examinations |
| December 22, Mon. | College housing closes for winter break, noon |
| December 24 - January 4, Weds.–Sun. | College holidays, most offices closed |
Spring 2026 (proposed) |
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| January 13, Tues. | College housing available for CXD's Sophomore Bootcamp, 8:00 a.m. |
| January 14-16, Weds.–Fri. | Sophomore Bootcamp, Career Exploration and Development |
| January 18, Sun. | College housing available for occupancy, 8:30 am |
| January 20, Tues. | Spring semester classes begin, 8:00 am |
| Feb. 5-7, Thurs–Sat. | Meetings of the Board of Trustees |
| March 6, Fri. | Spring vacation begins after last class |
| March 7, Sat. | College housing closes for spring vacation, noon |
| March 21, Sat. | College housing available for occupancy, 8:30 am |
| March 23, Mon. | Spring vacation ends, 8:00 am |
| March 26-28, Thurs.–Sat. | Alumni Council, Alumni Fund Directors and BRAVO National Advisory Board meetings |
| April 9-10, Thurs.–Friday. | Bearings in Brunswick for Admitted Students |
| May 1, Fri. | Honors Day |
| May 6, Wed. | Last day of classes |
| May 7-9, Thurs.–Sat. | Meetings of the Board of Trustees |
| May 7-10, Thurs.–Sun. | Reading period |
| May 11-16, Mon.–Sat. | Spring semester examinations |
| May 17, Sun. | College housing closes for non-graduating students, noon |
| May 22, Fri. | Baccalaureate |
| May 23, Sat. | The 221st Commencement Exercises |
| May 23, Sat. | College housing closes for graduating students, 6:00 pm |
| May 28-31, Thurs.–Sun. | Reunion Weekend |
| June TBD | Virtual Pre-Orientation for Students Admitted for Fall 2026 |
Religious Holidays and Observances: in recognition of Bowdoin’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive student body and the variety of religions observed and practiced by our students, faculty are encouraged to avoid conflicts between academic coursework and major religious holidays. The Rachel Lord Center for Religious and Spiritual Life maintains a calendar of major religious observances of the officially recognized religious groups at Bowdoin. In addition, the multifaith calendar from the Harvard Divinity School is a valuable resource regarding many other religious observances that may be of significance to members of the Bowdoin community. Students or faculty who have any questions regarding how best to balance the academic calendar alongside religious observances are encouraged to consult with the Director of Religious and Spiritual Life.
College Holidays and Observances: Human Resources maintains the calendar of College holidays and special days off and can provide guidance on the interpretation and recording of work around these events. HR encourages staff, students, and faculty to reference the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's calendar of federal holidays as the official source for those dates and observances.