Academic Calendar 2026-2027
Bowdoin's 225th Academic Year
Bowdoin's policies surrounding religious holidays and college holidays are below.
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| Date(s) | Event |
|---|---|
Fall 2026 |
|
| September 26, October 17, October 31, November 14 | Fall home games (September 26 - Middlebury, October 17 -Hamilton, October 31 - Wesleyan, November 14 - Colby) |
| August 21-23, Friday-Sunday | New international student orientation, 5:00 p.m. |
| August 24, Monday | New student arrival day |
| August 25-31, Tuesday through Monday | Orientation for new students |
| August 26-29, Wednesday-Saturday | Orientation trips for new students |
| August 29, Saturday | College housing ready for occupancy for returning students, 8:30 a.m. Meal plans begin at breakfast. |
| August 31, Monday | New student advising |
| August 31, Monday | Opening of the College—Convocation, 3:30 p.m. |
| September 1, Tuesday | Fall semester classes begin, 8:00 a.m. |
| September 17-19, Thursday-Saturday | Explore Bowdoin I |
| September 17-19, Thursday-Saturday | Alumni Council, Alumni Fund Directors and BRAVO National Advisory Board meetings |
| September 25-27, Friday-Sunday | Homecoming Weekend |
| October 9, Friday | Fall vacation begins after last class |
| October 14, Wednesday | Fall vacation ends, 8:00 a.m. |
| October 15-17, Thursday-Saturday | Meetings of the Board of Trustees |
| October 15-17, Thursday-Saturday | Explore Bowdoin II |
| October 30, Friday | Sarah and James Bowdoin Day Ceremony |
| October 30-November 1, Friday-Sunday | Family Weekend |
| November 20, Friday | Thanksgiving vacation begins after last class (no classes Monday-Tuesday; administrative offices open through Tuesday, November 24 and closed Wednesday-Friday) |
| November 21, Saturday | College housing closes for Thanksgiving vacation, noon. Meal plans end after lunch. |
| November 28, Saturday | College housing available for occupancy, 8:30 a.m. Meal plans begin at breakfast. |
| November 30, Monday | Thanksgiving vacation ends, 8:00 a.m. |
| December 14, Monday | Last day of classes |
| December 12, 13, 15, 16, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday | Reading period |
| December 17-21, Thursday-Monday | Fall semester examinations |
| December 22, Tuesday | College housing closes for winter break, noon. Meal plans end after lunch. |
| December 23-January 5, Wednesday-Tuesday | College Holidays, most offices closed |
Spring 2027 |
|
| January 19, Tuesday | College housing available for students participating in CXD's Sophomore Bootcamp, 8:00 am. Meal plans begin at breakfast. |
| January 20-22, Wednesday-Friday | Sophomore Bootcamp, Career Exploration and Development |
| January 23, Saturday | College housing available for occupancy, 8:30 a.m. Meal plans begin at breakfast. |
| January 25, Monday | Spring semester classes begin, 8:00 a.m. |
| February 4-6, Thursday-Saturday | Meetings of the Board of Trustees |
| March 12, Friday | Spring vacation begins after last class |
| March 13, Saturday | College housing closes for spring vacation, noon. Meal plans end after lunch. |
| March 27, Saturday | College housing available for occupancy, 8:30 a.m. Meal plans begin at breakfast. |
| March 29, Monday | Spring vacation ends, 8:00 a.m. |
| April 8-10, Thursday-Saturday | Alumni Council, Alumni Fund Directors and BRAVO National Advisory Board meetings |
| April 15-16, Thursday-Friday | Bearings in Brunswick for Admitted Students |
| May 7, Friday | Honors Day |
| May 12, Wednesday | Last day of classes |
| May 13-15, Thursday-Saturday | Meetings of the Board of Trustees |
| May 13-16, Thursday-Sunday | Reading period |
| May 17-22, Monday-Saturday | Spring semester examinations |
| May 23, Sunday | College housing closes for non-graduating students, noon Meal plans end after lunch. |
| May 28, Friday | Baccalaureate |
| May 29, Saturday | Commencement Exercises |
| May 29, Saturday | College housing closes for graduating students, 6:00 p.m. |
| June 3-6, Thursday-Sunday | Reunion Weekend |
| June TBD | Virtual Pre-Orientation for Students Admitted for Fall |
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.