Under the OSU Academic Calendar 2026-27, Ohio State’s autumn 2026 semester began Tuesday, August 25, 2026, and ends with finals from Friday, December 11 to Thursday, December 17, 2026. Spring 2027 classes begin Monday, January 11, 2027, spring break runs March 15-19, 2027, and spring commencement is Sunday, May 9, 2027.
Key Takeaways
- Ohio State’s Thanksgiving Break runs Wednesday, November 25 through Friday, November 27, 2026. Students get 5 days off in a row, counting the weekend.
- Autumn 2026 finals fall on December 11, 14, 15, 16 and 17, and Autumn Commencement is Sunday, December 20, 2026.
- Winter break gives students up to 24 days off, from Friday, December 18, 2026 to Sunday, January 10, 2027.
- Ohio State’s spring break 2027 is Monday, March 15 to Friday, March 19, 2027: 9 days off including both weekends.
- Each semester has 70 class days (weekdays between the first and last day of classes, minus no-class holidays).
- Spring 2027 finals run April 28-30 and May 3-4, 2027.
OSU Academic Calendar 2026-27 at a Glance
Ohio State calls its fall term “Autumn.” All dates below come from the registrar’s 5-year calendar view, which notes that the calendar is subject to change.
| Event | Date(s) | Day(s) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUTUMN 2026 | |||
| Move-in day | Not listed on the registrar calendar (Ohio State Housing posts it separately) | — | Not in official source |
| Initial fee due | August 18, 2026 | Tuesday | Official |
| First day of classes (semester and first session) | August 25, 2026 | Tuesday | Official |
| Last day to add/drop | Not listed on the 5-year calendar | — | Not in official source |
| Labor Day (no classes, offices closed) | September 7, 2026 | Monday | Official |
| Enrollment census (semester, first session) | September 8, 2026 | Tuesday | Official |
| Last day of first-session classes | October 12, 2026 | Monday | Official |
| First-session finals | October 13-14, 2026 | Tuesday-Wednesday | Official |
| Autumn Break (no classes, offices open) | October 15-16, 2026 | Thursday-Friday | Official |
| Second-session classes begin | October 19, 2026 | Monday | Official |
| Enrollment census (second session) | November 2, 2026 | Monday | Official |
| Veterans Day observed (no classes) | November 11, 2026 | Wednesday | Official |
| Thanksgiving Break begins (no classes) | November 25, 2026 | Wednesday | Official |
| Thanksgiving Day (no classes) | November 26, 2026 | Thursday | Official |
| Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day observed (no classes) | November 27, 2026 | Friday | Official |
| Last day of classes | December 9, 2026 | Wednesday | Official |
| Reading day | None listed | — | Not in official source |
| Final exams | December 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 2026 | Friday; Monday-Thursday | Official |
| Autumn Commencement | December 20, 2026 | Sunday | Official |
| WINTER BREAK | |||
| Presidents’ Day observed (offices closed) | December 24, 2026 | Thursday | Official |
| Christmas (offices closed) | December 25, 2026 | Friday | Official |
| Academic Winter Recess | December 28-31, 2026 | Monday-Thursday | Official |
| New Year’s Day (offices closed) | January 1, 2027 | Friday | Official |
| SPRING 2027 | |||
| Initial fee due | January 4, 2027 | Monday | Official |
| First day of classes | January 11, 2027 | Monday | Official |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no classes) | January 18, 2027 | Monday | Official |
| Enrollment census (semester, first session) | January 25, 2027 | Monday | Official |
| Last day to add/drop | Not listed on the 5-year calendar | — | Not in official source |
| Last day of first-session classes | February 26, 2027 | Friday | Official |
| First-session finals | March 1-2, 2027 | Monday-Tuesday | Official |
| Second-session classes begin | March 3, 2027 | Wednesday | Official |
| Spring Break | March 15-19, 2027 | Monday-Friday | Official |
| Enrollment census (second session) | March 17, 2027 | Wednesday | Official |
| Easter/spring holiday | None listed | — | Not in official source |
| Last day of classes | April 26, 2027 | Monday | Official |
| Final exams | April 28, 29, 30, May 3, 4, 2027 | Wednesday-Friday; Monday-Tuesday | Official |
| Spring Commencement | May 9, 2027 | Sunday | Official |
| SUMMER 2027 | |||
| Initial fee due | May 3, 2027 | Monday | Official |
| Summer Term and 8-, 6-, 4-week Session 1 begin | May 10, 2027 | Monday | Official |
| Enrollment census (Session 1) | May 24, 2027 | Monday | Official |
| Memorial Day (no classes) | May 31, 2027 | Monday | Official |
| Last day of 4-week Session 1 | June 3, 2027 | Thursday | Official |
| 8-week and 4-week Session 2 begin | June 4, 2027 | Friday | Official |
| Last day of 6-week Session 1 | June 17, 2027 | Thursday | Official |
| Juneteenth (no classes) | June 18, 2027 | Friday | Official |
| 6-week Session 2 begins | June 21, 2027 | Monday | Official |
| Last day of 8-week Session 1 and 4-week Session 2 | July 1, 2027 | Thursday | Official |
| 4-week Session 3 begins | July 2, 2027 | Friday | Official |
| Independence Day (no classes) | July 5, 2027 | Monday | Official |
| Last day of Summer Term and all remaining sessions | July 29, 2027 | Thursday | Official |
| Summer Term finals | August 2-4, 2027 | Monday-Wednesday | Official |
| Summer Commencement | August 8, 2027 | Sunday | Official |
Source: Ohio State Office of the Registrar, Academic Calendar 5-Year View 2023-2028, checked November 8, 2026. Always confirm with Ohio State before booking travel.
OSU Academic Calendar Fall 2026-27: Autumn Semester
Ohio State’s autumn 2026 semester runs from Tuesday, August 25, 2026 to Wednesday, December 9, 2026. That works out to 70 class days once you remove Labor Day, Autumn Break, Veterans Day and the three Thanksgiving days.
The term breaks into clean chunks. Students get seven weeks of class before Autumn Break on October 15-16, then about six weeks until Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, only 8 class days remain, from Monday, November 30 to Wednesday, December 9.
One quirk catches families every year. Ohio State moves Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day to the Friday after Thanksgiving, so Friday, November 27, 2026 is a true holiday. That turns Thanksgiving into a clean Wednesday-to-Sunday break.
The October 13-14 finals apply only to first-session (half-term) courses. Full-semester classes keep going. The source lists no reading day, but Thursday, December 10 has no classes or exams scheduled before finals start on Friday, December 11.
OSU Academic Calendar Finals Week Fall 2026
Ohio State’s autumn 2026 final exams are Friday, December 11, and Monday, December 14 through Thursday, December 17, 2026. The weekend of December 12-13 sits in the middle of exam week.
That split matters for travel. A student with only Friday exams could head home early, while one with a Thursday exam is on campus until December 17. Check the individual exam schedule before booking. Autumn Commencement follows on Sunday, December 20, 2026.
Spring 2027: Classes, Spring Break and Finals
Ohio State’s spring 2027 semester starts Monday, January 11, 2027 and classes end Monday, April 26, 2027. Like autumn, it has 70 class days after removing MLK Day and spring break.
The first stretch is long: nine straight weeks from January 11 to spring break, broken only by Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 18. Spring break 2027 runs Monday, March 15 through Friday, March 19. Students then return for roughly five and a half weeks before finals.
There is no Easter or Good Friday break listed in the official calendar, so plan holiday travel for spring break instead. Tuesday, April 27 has no classes or exams listed. Finals start Wednesday, April 28 and wrap up Tuesday, May 4, with a weekend in between. Spring Commencement is Sunday, May 9, 2027.
Summer 2027 Sessions
Ohio State’s Summer 2027 term begins Monday, May 10, 2027, just six days after spring finals end. Students taking summer classes get only May 5-9 off.
The summer term runs in overlapping blocks. The full Summer Term and the 8-week Session 2, 6-week Session 2 and 4-week Session 3 all end Thursday, July 29, 2027. Summer finals are August 2-4, and Summer Commencement is Sunday, August 8, 2027.
Three holidays fall in summer: Memorial Day (May 31), Juneteenth (June 18) and Independence Day, observed Monday, July 5, 2027. If your student takes a 4-week course, know that Session 1 ends June 3 and Session 3 starts on a Friday, July 2.
Breaks and Holidays at a Glance
| Break | Official dates | No-class weekdays | Days actually free (with weekends) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | Monday, September 7, 2026 | 1 | 3 (Sat, Sept 5 – Mon, Sept 7) |
| Autumn Break | Thursday-Friday, October 15-16, 2026 | 2 | 4 (Thu, Oct 15 – Sun, Oct 18) |
| Veterans Day | Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | 1 | 1 |
| Thanksgiving Break | Wednesday-Friday, November 25-27, 2026 | 3 | 5 (Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29) |
| Winter Break | Last final Thursday, December 17, 2026; classes resume Monday, January 11, 2027 | — | Up to 24 (Fri, Dec 18 – Sun, Jan 10) |
| MLK Day | Monday, January 18, 2027 | 1 | 3 (Sat, Jan 16 – Mon, Jan 18) |
| Spring Break | Monday-Friday, March 15-19, 2027 | 5 | 9 (Sat, Mar 13 – Sun, Mar 21) |
Winter break length depends on your student’s last exam. Someone who finishes Friday, December 11 could be off for 30 days.
How OSU Compares With Michigan and Cincinnati
| Event | Ohio State | Michigan (Ann Arbor) | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall classes begin | Tue, Aug 25, 2026 | Mon, Aug 31, 2026 | Mon, Aug 24, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving | Nov 25-27 | Nov 25-27 | Nov 26-29 |
| Fall finals | Dec 11-17 | Dec 14-18 | Dec 6-12 |
| Spring classes begin | Mon, Jan 11, 2027 | Wed, Jan 13, 2027 | Mon, Jan 11, 2027 |
| Spring break | Mar 15-19 | Noon Sat, Mar 6 – classes resume Mar 15 | Mar 15-21 |
| Spring finals | Apr 28 – May 4 | Apr 29-30, May 3-6 | Apr 24-29 |
Ohio State and the University of Cincinnati share the same spring break week in 2027, which helps Ohio families with students at both schools. Michigan’s spring break comes a full week earlier, so a household with a Buckeye and a Wolverine won’t get both kids home at once.
Michigan starts latest and finishes autumn finals a day after Ohio State. Cincinnati finishes autumn finals by December 12, five days before Ohio State’s last exam. All three schools start spring classes within the same three days.
Planning Tips for Students and Parents
- Book Thanksgiving travel now. The break starts Wednesday, November 25, so the last class day is Tuesday, November 24. Flying Tuesday evening and returning Sunday, November 29 hits the busiest days; Wednesday morning or Monday-morning flights are often easier if classes allow.
- Wait for the exam schedule before booking December flights. Autumn finals stretch from December 11 to December 17. A refundable or changeable fare protects you.
- Watch the fee deadlines. The spring 2027 initial fee is due Monday, January 4, 2027, a week before classes. Summer fees are due Monday, May 3, 2027, during finals.
- Use Autumn Break for a short trip home. October 15-18 is a four-day window. Ohio State offices stay open, so it’s also a good time for advising appointments.
- Plan spring break around March 13-21. Students get nine days off. Book early, because Cincinnati is off the same week.
- Check K-12 breaks if you have younger kids. Central Ohio districts take spring break later in March, so OSU’s March 15-19 break doesn’t line up. Compare the Columbus City Schools calendar 2026-27, Hilliard City Schools calendar 2026-27 and Dublin City Schools calendar 2026-27 before booking a family trip.
- Graduating family? Book hotels early. Autumn Commencement (December 20), Spring Commencement (May 9) and Summer Commencement (August 8) all fall on Sundays, so Columbus hotels fill Saturday nights.
How the 2026-27 Calendar Compares to Last Year
| Event | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn classes begin | Tue, Aug 26, 2025 | Tue, Aug 25, 2026 | 1 day earlier |
| Autumn Commencement | Sun, Dec 21, 2025 | Sun, Dec 20, 2026 | 1 day earlier |
| Spring classes begin | Mon, Jan 12, 2026 | Mon, Jan 11, 2027 | 1 day earlier |
| Spring break | Mar 16-20, 2026 | Mar 15-19, 2027 | 1 day earlier |
| Spring Commencement | Sun, May 10, 2026 | Sun, May 9, 2027 | 1 day earlier |
| Class days (autumn / spring) | 70 / 70 | 70 / 70 | No change |
The 2026-27 calendar copies last year’s structure almost exactly. Winter break is still 24 days for a student who finishes on the last exam day. The only visible difference is the Academic Winter Recess, which runs December 28-31, 2026 instead of December 26-31 last year, because Christmas falls on a Friday.
OSU Academic Calendar 2026-27 Printable PDF
Ohio State publishes the calendar as a web page on the registrar’s site rather than a single semester PDF. To get a printable version, open the registrar’s 5-year view and print it or save it as a PDF from your browser. The at-a-glance table above also prints cleanly for a fridge or dorm wall.
FAQs
When does OSU spring break 2027 start?
Ohio State’s spring break 2027 starts Monday, March 15, 2027 and ends Friday, March 19, 2027. With both weekends included, students are free from Saturday, March 13 through Sunday, March 21, a total of 9 days. Classes resume Monday, March 22.
When are finals at OSU in fall 2026?
Ohio State’s autumn 2026 final exams are Friday, December 11, and Monday, December 14 through Thursday, December 17, 2026. The last day of classes is Wednesday, December 9. Each student’s exam dates depend on their courses, so check the exam schedule before booking travel home.
Is Ohio State closed on Labor Day 2026?
Yes. Ohio State has no classes and offices are closed on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026. With the weekend, students get three days off, from Saturday, September 5 to Monday, September 7, 2026.
When does OSU Thanksgiving break 2026 start?
Ohio State’s Thanksgiving Break begins Wednesday, November 25, 2026. Thanksgiving Day is Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27 is also a no-class holiday. Students are off five days in a row, through Sunday, November 29, 2026.
When is OSU move-in day 2026?
Ohio State’s registrar calendar does not list move-in dates. Autumn 2026 classes began Tuesday, August 25, 2026, and residence hall move-in is scheduled separately by Ohio State’s housing office. Check the university housing website for move-in schedules and assigned time slots.
When does spring semester 2027 start at Ohio State?
Ohio State’s spring 2027 classes begin Monday, January 11, 2027. The initial fee payment is due one week earlier, on Monday, January 4, 2027. The semester’s last day of classes is Monday, April 26, 2027, and finals end Tuesday, May 4, 2027.
When is OSU commencement 2027?
Ohio State’s Spring Commencement is Sunday, May 9, 2027. The Autumn Commencement before it is Sunday, December 20, 2026, and Summer Commencement is Sunday, August 8, 2027. Families should book Columbus hotels early for these weekends.
Does Ohio State have a fall break in 2026?
Yes. Ohio State’s Autumn Break is Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16, 2026. There are no classes, but university offices stay open. With the weekend, students have four days off, from October 15 through October 18, 2026.
Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with The Ohio State University. Dates come from the official academic calendar and can change; always confirm with the registrar.
The PublicSchoolsCalendar.com Team compiles and verifies public school calendar data for districts across all 50 US states, drawing on official district websites and published family calendars to keep every page accurate and up to date.
