The UCLA holidays calendar 2025-2026 provides essential dates for official campus holidays and academic breaks that impact students, faculty, and staff across the university.
UCLA publishes its official holiday schedule through the Registrar’s Office each year.
These UCLA campus closures include university-recognized holidays like Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Memorial Day, following both the University of California system guidelines and UCLA-specific operational needs, such as the winter campus closure period.
This comprehensive guide covers all UCLA holidays for the 2025–2026 academic year, including observed dates, affected services, and key differences between academic and employee holiday schedules.
For complete term dates and quarter schedules, check out our detailed UCLA Academic Calendar guide. Whether you’re planning your quarter breaks or checking UCLA holiday schedule details, you’ll find everything you need here.
Table of Contents
Official UCLA Holidays 2025–2026
Below are the confirmed UCLA holidays for 2025–26, affecting both instructional activities and administrative operations campus-wide.
Veterans Day Holiday
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Veterans Day marks a complete UCLA campus closure honoring military veterans. All classes are canceled, and administrative offices, libraries, and most university services close for the day.
This UCLA holiday provides employees with paid time off and offers opportunities for campus commemorative events through student organizations and veteran support services.
Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend
Thursday–Friday, November 27–28, 2025
UCLA’s Thanksgiving recess spans four days, suspending academic instruction and closing administrative operations. Students should finalize travel plans early, as transportation fills quickly during this popular break period.
UCLA dining services and residence halls typically maintain limited operations, so students remaining on campus should verify meal and housing access in advance.
UCLA Winter Break 2025
Saturday, December 13, 2025 – Sunday, January 4, 2026
UCLA’s winter break dates provide an extended 3-week academic recess spanning from mid-December through early January.
This break includes both Christmas and New Year holidays, offering students time to travel home, complete internships, or recharge before Winter Quarter begins.
During this extended UCLA winter campus closure, most academic departments, administrative offices, and student services will suspend operations entirely. Essential services like campus safety and UCLA Health maintain limited staffing throughout the break period.
Key dates within winter break:
- Christmas Holiday: December 24–25, 2025 (official UCLA holidays)
- New Year Holiday: December 31, 2025 – January 1, 2026 (official UCLA holidays)
Students remaining on campus during winter break must confirm residence hall access, dining service availability, and any special housing arrangements well in advance.
For incoming students planning their first year, our UCLA Move-in Day guide provides essential timing and preparation information.
Faculty and staff should plan for the extended closure when scheduling research activities or administrative deadlines.
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
Monday, January 19, 2026
UCLA observes MLK Day with complete campus closure, often featuring service projects, educational seminars, and remembrance events throughout the week.
This UCLA holiday provides opportunities for students and staff to engage with Dr. King’s legacy through campus programming focused on justice and equality.
Presidents’ Day Holiday
Monday, February 16, 2026
Presidents’ Day creates a mid-quarter break across all UC campuses, including UCLA. Academic activities pause and administrative offices close, providing students and staff with a valuable mid-term respite while aligning with university employee payroll holiday observances.
Students looking ahead to spring planning should also check our UCLA Spring Break guide for additional quarter break information.
César Chávez Holiday
Friday, March 27, 2026
This California state holiday celebrates labor leader César Chávez, with UCLA suspending instruction and closing campus operations.
The day often features educational discussions and service activities reflecting Chávez’s social justice and labor rights advocacy.
Memorial Day Holiday
Monday, May 25, 2026
Memorial Day honors fallen U.S. military personnel with a complete UCLA campus closure. This long weekend provides reflection time and often serves as the unofficial summer start before final exams and graduation ceremonies.
Juneteenth Holiday
Friday, June 19, 2026
Juneteenth at UCLA commemorates the end of slavery with a full day off for students and staff.
The campus frequently hosts educational panels and cultural events honoring African American history, with most administrative and instructional functions paused.
Independence Day Holiday
Friday, July 3, 2026
Since July 4th falls on Saturday in 2026, UCLA observes Independence Day on Friday, July 3rd. Summer session students should check course syllabi for any schedule adjustments, while employees receive the standard holiday time off.
Labor Day Holiday
Monday, September 7, 2026
Labor Day provides a transition break between the summer session and the fall quarter, with complete closure of academic and administrative offices.
UCLA Health may adjust staffing, and employees receive paid leave according to university policy.
Impact of Holidays on UCLA Campus Operations
During UCLA’s official campus holidays, expect significant service changes across campus. The Registrar’s Office, libraries, and most student services close completely, while dining halls, campus recreation, and parking operate on reduced schedules.
UCLA employee holidays follow specific guidelines for time off, pay periods, and floating holiday usage. These dates are crucial for planning payroll deadlines and vacation requests effectively.
UCLA Health holidays often differ from the standard academic calendar. Hospitals and clinics maintain modified schedules based on patient care requirements, so medical staff should consult department leads or the UCLA Health intranet for specific scheduling information.
When planning around these UCLA quarter breaks, always verify building hours and service updates, as many campus resources reduce operations or close entirely during holiday periods.
UCLA Holidays FAQs
What are the major UCLA holidays for 2025–26?
Key dates include Veterans Day, Thanksgiving weekend, winter break dates, MLK Day, César Chávez Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Labor Day.
How long is UCLA winter break?
UCLA’s winter campus closure typically extends from mid-December through early January, encompassing Christmas and New Year holidays.
Are UCLA Health holidays different from academic holidays?
Yes. UCLA Health follows operational needs and maintains different schedules based on patient care requirements. Check with your specific department for details.
What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend?
UCLA typically observes the holiday on the closest weekday, usually Friday for Saturday holidays or Monday for Sunday holidays.
When is UCLA off during the academic year?
UCLA observes 10+ official holidays annually, plus extended breaks during Thanksgiving, winter closure, and summer periods between academic sessions.
Essential UCLA Holidays Resources
For the most current UCLA holidays schedule information:
- UCLA Registrar’s Office: Official academic and holiday calendars
- UCLA Human Resources: Employee payroll and holiday schedules
- UCLA Health: Hospital and clinic operational calendars
Understanding UCLA holidays helps you manage your academic or work schedule effectively. Whether you’re a student planning quarter breaks, faculty coordinating courses, or a UCLA Health employee, staying informed prevents missed deadlines and scheduling conflicts.
