The Harvard Law School academic calendar for 2026 spans two academic years, with Spring Term 2026 beginning Monday, January 26, 2026, and Fall Term 2026 starting Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
The HLS calendar includes distinct schedules for J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. students, with critical dates including Spring Break (March 14-22, 2026), final exams (April 29-May 15, 2026), and University Commencement on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
Harvard Law School operates on a unique term system located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, distinct from semester-based law schools. This comprehensive guide covers all essential dates for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years.
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Harvard Law School Academic Calendar Spring 2026
Spring Term 2026 classes begin Monday, January 26, 2026, for all students following the conclusion of Winter Term on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Upper-level students complete Winter Term exams on Friday, January 23, 2026.
The Spring 2026 term concludes Friday, April 24, 2026, followed by a structured examination period that varies by student level and course type.
Spring 2026 Examination Schedule
| Student Level | Exam Period | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Upper-level and 1L Electives | April 29 – May 8, 2026 | 10 days |
| 1L Required Courses | May 11 – May 15, 2026 | 5 days |
First-year students taking required courses have their examinations scheduled after upper-level students complete elective course exams. This separation allows the registrar to manage exam logistics across approximately 1,800 J.D. students and 180 LL.M. students.
Spring 2026 Break Periods
Spring Break 2026 occurs from Saturday, March 14, 2026, through Sunday, March 22, 2026, providing 9 consecutive days without classes. Administrative offices remain closed during this period.
Presidents’ Day falls on Monday, February 16, 2026. Classes meet as scheduled, but administrative offices close for the federal holiday.
Winter Term 2026 Academic Calendar
Winter Term classes begin Monday, January 5, 2026, following the winter break that extends from December 17, 2025, through January 4, 2026. This brief academic period focuses on experiential learning opportunities.
Winter Term concludes Wednesday, January 21, 2026, for both upper-level and first-year students. Upper-level students have a one-day reading period on Thursday, January 22, 2026, with exams administered on Friday, January 23, 2026.
Martin Luther King Day occurs on Monday, January 19, 2026, with no classes scheduled and administrative offices closed.
Harvard Law School Academic Calendar Fall 2026
The 2026-2027 academic year begins with distinct start dates for different student populations. First-year (1L) students begin Fall Term classes on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following a Monday schedule to ensure comprehensive first-day orientation.
Upper-level students (2Ls and 3Ls) start classes on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, allowing first-year students one week of exclusive orientation and foundational coursework.
Fall 2026 Orientation and Move-In Dates
While specific move-in dates for the 2026-2027 academic year are listed as “TBD,” historical patterns indicate:
- LL.M. students: Move-in occurs in mid-August (historically August 11)
- Incoming 1L and Transfer students: Move-in occurs approximately one week before classes (historically August 20)
- Returning 2L and 3L students: Move-in occurs just before upper-level classes begin (historically late August)
LL.M. check-in is mandatory and spans two days, followed by a comprehensive orientation program extending through late August.
Fall 2026 Holiday Schedule
- Labor Day is Monday, September 7, 2026, with no classes and administrative offices closed.
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day (federal Columbus Day) falls on Monday, October 12, 2026. Classes do not meet, and administrative offices close.
- Tuesday, October 13, 2026, all upper-level classes follow a Monday schedule to compensate for the holiday. First-year classes do not meet on this makeup day.
- Veterans Day occurs on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Classes are held for all students, but the administrative offices close.
Fall 2026 Examination Periods
Thanksgiving Recess spans Wednesday, November 25, through Friday, November 27, 2026.
Fall Term classes end at different times based on student level:
| Student Level | Classes End | Reading Period | Exam Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1L Students | December 2, 2026 | December 3-10, 2026 | December 11-18, 2026 |
| Upper-Level Students | December 4, 2026 | December 5-8, 2026 | December 9-18, 2026 |
First-year students receive additional reading period days (8 total) compared to upper-level students (4 days), reflecting the intensity of foundational legal courses.
Winter Break for all students extends from Saturday, December 19, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027.
Harvard Law School Program-Specific Calendar Information
J.D. Student Academic Calendar
J.D. students follow the standard term calendar with distinctions between first-year and upper-level schedules. First-year students have mandatory orientation activities beginning in late August (specific 2026 dates TBD).
University ID card pickup is mandatory and historically occurs over 2-3 days in mid-to-late August before classes begin.
LL.M. and S.J.D. Program Calendars
LL.M. (Master of Laws) and S.J.D. (Doctor of Juridical Science) Students follow a distinct calendar beginning earlier than J.D. students.
LL.M. residence hall move-in historically occurs in mid-August (approximately August 11 based on 2025 patterns). LL.M. check-in is mandatory and spans two consecutive days.
LL.M. student orientation is mandatory and extends approximately 2.5 weeks from mid-August through late August, concluding before J.D. classes begin on September 2.
International students in these programs should coordinate I-20 processing timelines with these earlier arrival requirements.
Administrative Closures and University-Wide Events
Federal and University Holidays in 2026
Administrative offices at Harvard Law School close on the following dates in 2026:
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, January 1, 2026
- Martin Luther King Day: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Presidents’ Day: Monday, February 16, 2026 (classes meet)
- Memorial Day: Monday, May 25, 2026
- Labor Day: Monday, September 7, 2026
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Monday, October 12, 2026
- Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11, 2026 (classes meet)
Harvard University Commencement 2026
Harvard University Commencement occurs on Thursday, May 28, 2026, three days after Memorial Day. This university-wide ceremony celebrates graduates from all Harvard schools, including approximately 560 J.D. candidates and 180 LL.M. graduates from Harvard Law School.
Individual law school diploma ceremonies typically occur the day before University Commencement, though specific 2026 times are subject to confirmation by the registrar.
Understanding Harvard Law School’s Term System
Harvard Law School operates on a two-term system (Fall Term and Spring Term) with an optional experiential Winter Term, distinct from the semester system used at many law schools.
Differences Between 1L and Upper-Level Calendars
First-year students and upper-level students follow different schedules within the same term structure:
- Exam timing: 1L required course exams occur later than upper-level and elective exams
- Reading periods: 1Ls receive longer reading periods before examinations
- Class start dates: In Fall 2026, 1Ls begin one week before upper-level students
- Winter Term: Upper-level students have broader access to experiential Winter Term offerings
Clinical Program Calendar Considerations
Students enrolled in clinical programs follow additional deadlines beyond the standard academic calendar. The HLS clinical calendar includes:
- Clinical course add/drop deadlines: Typically mid-September for Fall clinics
- Externship evaluation deadlines: Vary by clinical placement
- Clinical seminar schedules: Often meet on different days than traditional courses
Approximately 70% of Harvard Law School students participate in at least one clinical program during their J.D. studies.
Cross-Registration and Housing Calendar Integration
Cross-Registration Windows
Non-HLS students from other Harvard graduate schools or MIT can cross-register for law school courses during designated periods:
- Fall Term cross-registration: Opens early September
- Spring Term cross-registration: Opens mid-January
- Winter Term cross-registration: Limited availability, early December
Cross-registered students follow the HLS academic calendar for the specific course, not their home school calendar.
Residence Hall Move-In Coordination
Spring semester move-in for students returning from off-campus housing or new mid-year entrants historically occurs Friday, January 2, 2026, allowing time for settlement before Winter Term classes begin January 5.
Specific residence hall assignments come from HLS Housing Services, with move-in coordinated through individual dormitory facilities, including Gropius Complex, Shaw Hall, and Child Hall.
Key Planning Dates for Harvard Law School Students in 2026
Registration and Add/Drop Deadlines
While specific 2026 add/drop deadlines are published through HELIOS (Harvard Law School’s registration system), historical patterns show:
- Fall Term add deadline: Typically 2 weeks after classes begin (mid-September)
- Spring Term add deadline: Typically 2 weeks after classes begin (early February)
- Drop deadlines: Vary by term, usually 6-8 weeks into the term
Students should consult the registrar’s office and HELIOS for exact 2026 deadlines as they become available.
Important Financial Aid and Billing Dates
Tuition billing for Spring 2026 occurs in December 2025, with payment typically due early January before the term begins. Fall 2026 billing occurs in summer 2026, with August payment deadlines.
Financial aid disbursement aligns with the start of each term, requiring students to complete financial aid paperwork 2-3 weeks before term start dates.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Harvard Law School Academic Calendar
When does Spring Break occur at Harvard Law School in 2026?
Spring Break 2026 spans Saturday, March 14, through Sunday, March 22, 2026, providing 9 consecutive days off from classes.
Do 1L and upper-level students have different exam schedules?
Yes, first-year required course exams (May 11-15, 2026) occur after upper-level and elective exams (April 29-May 8, 2026), allowing the registrar to focus resources on the mandatory first-year curriculum during the final examination period.
When do LL.M. students arrive compared to J.D. students?
LL.M. students arrive in mid-August, approximately 2-3 weeks before J.D. students, to complete mandatory orientation programming specific to the one-year Master of Laws program.
Is the Winter Term mandatory at Harvard Law School?
Winter Term is optional, offering experiential learning opportunities including externships, international programs, and intensive courses. Not all students participate each year.
How does the HLS calendar differ from other Harvard graduate schools?
Harvard Law School uses a term system while Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences uses semesters, creating different break periods and examination schedules despite operating under the same university umbrella.
Official Harvard Law School Calendar Resources
The authoritative source for all Harvard Law School academic calendar information is the Office of the Registrar at Wasserstein Hall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138. The official calendar is published at hls.harvard.edu/academics/academic-calendar/.
Students should verify all dates through HELIOS, the law school’s student portal, as rare adjustments may occur between initial publication and the actual academic year. The registrar typically publishes the following year’s calendar in April, meaning complete 2026-2027 dates will be finalized by April 2026.
For clinical calendar specifics, consult hls.harvard.edu/clinical-calendar/. For housing-related move-in dates and deadlines, reference HLS Housing Services directly.
Note: This calendar applies specifically to Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and should not be confused with other institutions using the “HLS” acronym. International students should coordinate visa timelines (I-20 issuance and SEVIS requirements) with these academic dates through the Harvard International Office.
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