Schools / Illinois / Northwestern University
Northwestern University break dates 2026-27
At Northwestern University, Thanksgiving Break runs Nov 26 to 29, Winter Break runs Dec 13 to Jan 3, and Spring Break runs Mar 21 to 29.
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Nov 26 to 29, 2026Add to Google Calendar
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Dec 13 to Jan 3Add to Google Calendar
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Mar 21 to 29, 2027Add to Google Calendar
Official source: Northwestern University academic calendar (registrar.northwestern.edu). Last checked against it: October 2026.
Schools sometimes revise their calendars. Double-check with Northwestern University before booking travel, and tell us if something looks off.
At Northwestern University, Thanksgiving Break runs Nov 25 to 28, Winter Break runs Dec 12 to Jan 2, and Spring Break runs Mar 19 to 27.
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Nov 25 to 28, 2027Add to Google Calendar
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Dec 12 to Jan 2Add to Google Calendar
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Mar 19 to 27, 2028Add to Google Calendar
Official source: Northwestern University academic calendar (registrar.northwestern.edu). Last checked against it: October 2026.
Schools sometimes revise their calendars. Double-check with Northwestern University before booking travel, and tell us if something looks off.
How Northwestern University's breaks compare
- Classes meet the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, so the break starts Thursday (Nov 26 to 29). 14% of US colleges on BreakShare do the same.
- Winter break is 22 days, 9 days shorter than the typical US college (31 days). 5% of colleges have a shorter one. Compare winter breaks
- Spring break (Mar 21 to 29) falls in a week when 15% of colleges start spring break. See the spring break calendar
Off at the same time as nearby schools
- Loyola University Chicago 4 mi
Both off Nov 26 to 29, Dec 13 to Jan 3 (26 days in common). - DePaul University 12 mi
Both off Nov 26 to 29, Dec 13 to Jan 3, Mar 21 to 28 (34 days in common). - University of Illinois Chicago 12 mi
Both off Nov 26 to 29, Dec 13 to Jan 3, Mar 21 to 28 (34 days in common).
Schools within 100 miles; distances are straight-line miles between campuses. Start a group to compare any schools, or see how often breaks line up across colleges.
Questions about Northwestern University's breaks
When is Northwestern University's Thanksgiving break in 2026?
From Thursday, November 26, 2026 to Sunday, November 29, 2026 (4 days, including the weekend).
How long is Northwestern University's winter break 2026-27?
22 days, from Sunday, December 13, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027, counting every day off including weekends.
When is Northwestern University's spring break 2027?
From Sunday, March 21, 2027 to Monday, March 29, 2027 (9 days, including weekends).
When is Northwestern University's Thanksgiving break in 2027?
From Thursday, November 25, 2027 to Sunday, November 28, 2027 (4 days, including the weekend).
When is Northwestern University's spring break 2028?
From Sunday, March 19, 2028 to Monday, March 27, 2028 (9 days, including weekends), according to Northwestern University's 2027-28 academic calendar.
How these dates are counted
- Each range covers every day with no classes: from the day after the last class or final exam to the day before classes start again.
- Each range includes the weekends on both sides of the break.
- Winter break runs from the end of fall finals to the day before spring classes. A required January term (J-term, Winter Study, Interim) counts as school; an optional winter session doesn't.
- Thanksgiving starts on Wednesday only if the school cancels classes that day.
- Single holidays like Labor Day aren't listed unless the school calls them a break. Short breaks of 1 to 4 days are usually long weekends.
- We use class and exam dates, not residence-hall move-out or office-closure dates.
Planning a break with friends?
Compare Northwestern University's breaks with any of 1,012 schools and see the days you're all off school.