Academic Calendar

UPenn Academic Calendar 2026‑2027: Important Dates & Deadlines

By eriq elikplim
Upenn academic calendar important dates.

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The UPenn Academic Calendar 2026‑2027 is your go‑to guide for every deadline and date you need, from UPenn enrollment and registration deadlines, tuition payment due dates, and course add/drop periods, to university holidays and final exam schedules.

The University of Pennsylvania academic calendar schedule helps stay ahead of UPenn term dates, plan around the UPenn exam schedule, track UPenn registration deadlines, and never miss critical cut‑offs such as the last day to withdraw without a “W” or the start of Summer Session registration.

Penn follows a classic semester system with consistent durations and flexible summer options:

  • Fall Semester (mid August to mid December; 14 instructional weeks + 1 week of finals)
  • Spring Semester (mid January to early May; 14 instructional weeks + 1 week of finals)
  • Summer Sessions (May through August), including Session I (6 weeks), Full Session (12 weeks), and Session II (6 weeks), each with its own add/drop and billing deadlines

Whether you’re mapping out your 15‑week Fall course load, scheduling around UPenn’s Winter Break, or choosing which Summer Session best fits your plans, the University of Pennsylvania Academic Calendar 2026‑2027 keeps every key date at your fingertips so you can focus on making the most of your Penn experience.

UPenn Academic Calendar Fall 2026

  1. Move-in for specific populations (newly admitted international students, first-generation/low-income students, exchange/IGSP students, transfer students, and first-year students) is Monday, August 17, 2026.
  2. Move-in for first-year students is Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
  3. New Student Orientation runs from Wednesday, August 19, 2026, through Monday, August 24, 2026.
  4. Move-in for returning students runs from Saturday, August 22, 2026, through Sunday, August 23, 2026.
  5. Second-Year Student Orientation runs from Sunday, August 23, 2026, through Friday, August 28, 2026.
  6. Opening Exercises and Convocation are Monday, August 24, 2026.
  7. The first day of classes is Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
  8. Labor Day is Monday, September 7, 2026. No classes are held.
  9. The Course Selection Period ends Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
  10. Fall Term Break runs from Thursday, October 1, 2026, through Sunday, October 4, 2026.
  11. Classes resume Monday, October 5, 2026.
  12. The Drop Period ends Monday, October 5, 2026.
  13. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is Monday, October 12, 2026. The university is open, and classes are in session.
  14. The Grade Mode Change Deadline is Friday, October 23, 2026.
  15. Family Weekend (Yale) runs from Friday, October 23, 2026, through Sunday, October 25, 2026.
  16. Advance Registration for the Spring Term runs from Monday, October 26, 2026, through Monday, November 9, 2026.
  17. The last day to withdraw from a course is Monday, November 2, 2026.
  18. Homecoming (Harvard) is Saturday, November 14, 2026.
  19. Thursday-Friday class schedules are followed on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, and Wednesday, November 25, 2026.
  20. Thanksgiving Break runs from Thursday, November 26, 2026, through Sunday, November 29, 2026. Classes resume Monday, November 30, 2026.
  21. The last day of classes is Monday, December 7, 2026.
  22. Reading Days are Tuesday, December 8, 2026, and Wednesday, December 9, 2026.
  23. Final Examinations are held from Thursday, December 10, 2026, through Thursday, December 17, 2026.
  24. The Fall Term ends Thursday, December 17, 2026.

UPenn Academic Calendar Spring 2027

  1. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed on Monday, January 18, 2027. No classes are held.
  2. The first day of classes is Wednesday, January 20, 2027.
  3. The Course Selection Period ends Tuesday, February 2, 2027.
  4. The Drop Period ends Monday, March 1, 2027.
  5. UPenn Spring Term Break 2027 runs from Saturday, March 6, 2027, through Sunday, March 14, 2027. Classes resume Monday, March 15, 2027.
  6. The Grade Mode Change Deadline is Monday, March 29, 2027.
  7. Advance Registration for the Fall Term runs from Monday, March 29, 2027, through Monday, April 12, 2027.
  8. Registration for Summer Session begins Monday, March 29, 2027.
  9. The last day to withdraw from a course is Monday, April 5, 2027.
  10. The last day of classes is Tuesday, May 4, 2027.
  11. Reading Days are Wednesday, May 5, 2027, and Thursday, May 6, 2027.
  12. Final Examinations are held from Friday, May 7, 2027, through Monday, May 17, 2027.
  13. The Spring Term ends Monday, May 17, 2027.
  14. Baccalaureate is Tuesday, May 18, 2027.
  15. Alumni Day is Saturday, May 22, 2027.
  16. Commencement is Monday, May 24, 2027.

UPenn Academic Calendar Summer 2026

  1. Memorial Day (no classes) is observed on Monday, May 25, 2026.
  2. 11-Week Session classes begin on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
  3. Session I classes begin on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
  4. Juneteenth (no classes) is observed on Friday, June 19, 2026.
  5. Session I classes end on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
  6. Session II classes begin on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
  7. Independence Day (no classes) is observed on Friday, July 3, 2026.
  8. Session II and 11-Week Session classes end on Friday, August 7, 2026.

For more on the UPenn Academic Calendar 2026-2027, visit the University of Pennsylvania Almanac Calendar website.

eriq elikplim
eriq elikplimhttps://acadcalendar.com
Eric Elikplim is the lead editor of AcadCalendar.com. Eriq draws on 10 years of experience in edtech and project management. He has collaborated directly with multiple universities, establishing processes to cross-check term dates, registration deadlines, and exam schedules. Beyond calendar data, Eriq contributes thought leadership on academic productivity: he has authored articles on semester planning, and consulted with student organizations to refine reminder features and user experience.

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