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Communications Calendar

The ÌìÃÀӰÊӴ«ý follows several calendars which can provide you with much needed strategic communications considerations for your content. Below is a calendar, organized by month, with monthly themes, history and heritage months, and important dates that you can use to plan and coordinate your communications.

Academic year 2026-2027 strategic considerations

Monthly calendar

Messaging theme

Theme
Research Makes America A
Hashtag
#ResearchMakesAmerica
Goal
Show how UW research makes America healthier, safer and more prosperous – and is worth supporting​
Content ideas
New treatments improving Americans’ health​; Research protecting U.S. from natural and human-made threats​; Innovations making businesses more competitive​; The return on investment to the economy from research​; Improvements to population health from research​; The importance of universities in the growth of the U.S.​
Content topics
Research; Science; Technology; Engineering; Healthcare; Population Health; Law & Policy

History and heritage celebration(s)

Important date(s)

UW history

  • 9/4: UW moves to Seattle campus (September 4, 1895) F

Academic calendar

  • 8/22 – 9/29: Autumn Break D
  • 9/1/2026 – 8/31/2027: Academic Year 2026-2027 D
  • 9/30: Academic Year 2026-2027 begins D
  • 9/30 – 12/18: Autum Quarter 2026 D
  • 9/30: Instruction begins for Autum Quarter 2026 D

Admissions calendar

  • 9/1: Application opens for first-year students E
  • 9/10 – 11/15: Admissions application window for first-year students E

Finance calendar

  • 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027: Fiscal Year 2027 H

UMAC event calendar

Advancement calendar

  • 9/11: G
  • 9/17: G

Unofficial holidays

  • 9/29: F

Messaging theme

Theme
Husky Student Experience A
Hashtag
#HuskyExperience
Goal
Highlight how access to an excellent UW education prepares students for successful careers and lives
Content ideas
Scholarships that enable debt-free degrees​; Students who are role models for prospective students​; Career prep, including research and leadership opportunities​; Alumni who got good jobs right after graduation​; Students who graduate with no debt thanks to UW programs​; Activities and internships that prepare students for careers
Content topics
Student Experience; Education; Academics; Scholarship; Leadership; Alumni; School Spirit

History and heritage celebration(s)

Important date(s)

UW history

  • 10/1: Founding of UW Bothell (October 1, 1990) F
  • 10/1: Founding of UW Tacoma (October 1, 1990) F

Academic calendar

  • 9/1/2026 – 8/31/2027: Academic Year 2026-2027 D
  • 9/30 – 12/18: Autum Quarter 2026 D

Admissions calendar

  • 9/10 – 11/15: Admissions application window for first-year students E
  • 10/1: FAFSA + WASFA opens E

Finance calendar

  • 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027: Fiscal Year 2027 H

UMAC event calendar

Advancement calendar

Unofficial holidays

  • 10/31: F

UWHR calendar

  • 10/1 – 11/30: J

Messaging theme

Theme
Collaborative Innovation A
Hashtag
#UWinnovates
Goal
Demonstrate value of bringing people together across disciplines and differences to solve complex problems
Content ideas
Projects tackling challenges in WA, nationally and globally​; Start-up companies or new products created at/with the UW​; Communities brought together to solve problems​; Faculty working across disciplines to solve pressing problems​; Industry partnerships that result in new products and services​; Ways students are engaged in innovation, entrepreneurship​​
Content topics
Technology; Artificial Intelligence; Engineering; Research; Discovery & Exploration; Business; Community

History and heritage celebration(s)

Important date(s)

UW history

  • 11/4: Founding of the ÌìÃÀӰÊӴ«ý (November 4, 1861) F

Academic calendar

  • 9/1/2026 – 8/31/2027: Academic Year 2026-2027 D
  • 9/30 – 12/18: Autum Quarter 2026 D

Admissions calendar

  • 9/10 – 11/15: Admissions application window for first-year students E
  • 11/15: Application deadline for summer and autumn quarters for first-year students E

Finance calendar

  • 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027: Fiscal Year 2027 H

UMAC event calendar

Advancement calendar

  • 11/3: G
  • 11/20: G

UWHR calendar

  • 10/1 – 11/30: J

Messaging theme

Theme
This is UW A
Hashtag
#ThisIsUW
Goal
Celebrate 2026 student, faculty, staff and alumni accomplishments to elicit pride in their communities
Content ideas
UW community members having a positive impact​; Awards and honors recognizing excellence​; Stories that performed well and deserve to be featured again​; Graduates who have lined up jobs thanks to their degrees​; Graduates who have overcome barriers thanks to the UW​; Annual awards honorees​
Content topics
School Spirit; Community; Alumni; Student Experience; Leadership; Athletics; Arts

Important date(s)

  • 12/5 – 12/12: () 4 B
  • 12/25: () 1,2 B

Academic calendar

  • 9/1/2026 – 8/31/2027: Academic Year 2026-2027 D
  • 9/30 – 12/18: Autum Quarter 2026 D
  • 12/11: Last day of instruction for Autum Quarter 2026 D
  • 12/12 – 12/18: Final examinations for Autum Quarter 2026 D
  • 12/19/2026 – 1/3/2027: Winter Break D

Admissions calendar

  • 12/15/2026 – 2/28/2027: Admissions application window for transfer students E
  • 12/15: Application opens for summer and autumn quarters for transfer students E
  • 12/15/2026 – 2/28/2027: Admissions application window for postbaccalaureate students E
  • 12/15: Application opens for summer and autumn quarters for postbaccalaureate students E
  • 12/31: Test score deadline for summer and autumn quarters for first-year students E

Finance calendar

  • 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027: Fiscal Year 2027 H

UMAC event calendar

Advancement calendar

  • 12/1: G
  • 12/7: G

Unofficial holidays

  • 12/11: F
  • 12/23: F
  • 12/31: F

Messaging theme

Theme
Our Public Promise A
Hashtag
#UWserves
Goal
Emphasize the UW’s commitment to the people of the state as WA’s leading public research university
Content ideas
Commitment to expanding educational access for WA students​; Life-saving and life-changing patient care for WA patients​; Partnerships with WA communities, tribes, businesses; How UW makes college more affordable and accessible​; Projects that have direct benefits in communities​; Students participating in service-learning projects​​
Content topics
Community; Education; Healthcare; Population Health; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Philanthropy; Leadership

History and heritage celebration(s)

Important date(s)

UW history

  • 1/4: Dubs’ birthday F

Academic calendar

  • 9/1/2026 – 8/31/2027: Academic Year 2026-2027 D
  • 12/19/2026 – 1/3/2027: Winter Break D
  • 1/4 – 3/19: Winter Quarter 2027 D
  • 1/4: Instruction begins for Winter Quarter 2027 D

Admissions calendar

  • 12/15/2026 – 2/28/2027: Admissions application window for transfer students E
  • 12/15/2026 – 2/28/2027: Admissions application window for postbaccalaureate students E

Finance calendar

  • 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027: Fiscal Year 2027 H

UMAC event calendar

Advancement calendar

  • 1/27: G

Messaging theme

Theme
Proven Impact A
Hashtag
#UWdiscovers
Goal
Demonstrate real-world benefits of UW research for people, families and communities
Content ideas
Tangible outcomes: a new product, policy, treatment or cure; Someone who is benefitting from UW research or scholarship; ​Creative works with a “wow” factor or community impact; Benefits of research on a community’s health and well-being​; A business that is utilizing UW research to grow, succeed​; Students working on impactful research projects
Content topics
Research; Discovery & Exploration; Science; Technology; Healthcare; Population Health; Engineering

History and heritage celebration(s)

Important date(s)

Academic calendar

  • 9/1/2026 – 8/31/2027: Academic Year 2026-2027 D
  • 1/4 – 3/19: Winter Quarter 2027 D

Admissions calendar

  • 12/15/2026 – 2/28/2027: Admissions application window for transfer students E
  • 12/15/2026 – 2/28/2027: Admissions application window for postbaccalaureate students E
  • 2/28: UW FAFSA + WASFA priority date E
  • 2/28: Application deadline for summer and autumn quarters for transfer students E
  • 2/28: Application deadline for summer and autumn quarters for postbaccalaureate students E

Finance calendar

  • 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027: Fiscal Year 2027 H

UMAC event calendar

Unofficial holidays

  • 2/2: F
  • 2/14: F
  • 2/22: F
  • 2/25: F

Messaging theme

Theme
Research Makes America A
Hashtag
#ResearchMakesAmerica
Goal
Show how UW research makes America healthier, safer and more prosperous – and is worth supporting​
Content ideas
New treatments improving Americans’ health​; Research protecting U.S. from natural and human-made threats​; Innovations making businesses more competitive​; The return on investment to the economy from research​; Improvements to population health from research​; The importance of universities in the growth of the U.S.​
Content topics
Research; Science; Technology; Engineering; Healthcare; Population Health; Law & Policy

History and heritage celebration(s)

Important date(s)

  • 2/26 – 3/1: () 4 B
  • 3/2 – 3/20: () 4 B
  • 3/5: () 4,6 B
  • 3/6: () 6 B
  • 3/10: () 4,6 B
  • 3/21: () 3,4 B
  • 3/22: () 8 B
  • 3/23: () 4 B
  • 3/26: () B
  • 3/28: () B

Academic calendar

  • 9/1/2026 – 8/31/2027: Academic Year 2026-2027 D
  • 1/4 – 3/19: Winter Quarter 2027 D
  • 3/12: Last day of instruction for Winter Quarter 2027 D
  • 3/13 – 3/19: Final examinations for Winter Quarter 2027 D
  • 3/20 – 3/28: Spring Break D
  • 3/29 – 6/11: Spring Quarter 2027 D
  • 3/29: Instruction begins for Spring Quarter 2027 D

Admissions calendar

  • 3/1 – 3/15: Admission decision notification period for summer and autumn quarter for first-year students E

Finance calendar

  • 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027: Fiscal Year 2027 H

UMAC event calendar

Advancement calendar

  • 3/8: G
  • 3/31: G

Unofficial holidays

  • 3/17: F
  • 3/23: F

Messaging theme

Theme
Husky Student Experience A
Hashtag
#HuskyExperience
Goal
Highlight how access to an excellent UW education prepares students for successful careers and lives
Content ideas
Scholarships that enable debt-free degrees​; Students who are role models for prospective students​; Career prep, including research and leadership opportunities​; Alumni who got good jobs right after graduation​; Students who graduate with no debt thanks to UW programs​; Activities and internships that prepare students for careers
Content topics
Student Experience; Education; Academics; Scholarship; Leadership; Alumni; School Spirit

History and heritage celebration(s)

Important date(s)

Academic calendar

  • 9/1/2026 – 8/31/2027: Academic Year 2026-2027 D
  • 3/29 – 6/11: Spring Quarter 2027 D

Finance calendar

  • 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027: Fiscal Year 2027 H

UMAC event calendar

Unofficial holidays

  • 4/22: F

Messaging theme

Theme
Collaborative Innovation A
Hashtag
#UWinnovates
Goal
Demonstrate value of bringing people together across disciplines and differences to solve complex problems
Content ideas
Projects tackling challenges in WA, nationally and globally​; Start-up companies or new products created at/with the UW​; Communities brought together to solve problems​; Faculty working across disciplines to solve pressing problems​; Industry partnerships that result in new products and services​; Ways students are engaged in innovation, entrepreneurship​​
Content topics
Technology; Artificial Intelligence; Engineering; Research; Discovery & Exploration; Business; Community

History and heritage celebration(s)

Important date(s)

  • 5/2: () B
  • 5/2: () 3,4 B
  • 5/17: () 4,6 B
  • 5/24: Declaration of the Báb () 3,4 B
  • 5/29: Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh () 3,4 B
  • 5/31: 1,2 B

UW history

  • 5/1: National Decision day F

Academic calendar

  • 9/1/2026 – 8/31/2027: Academic Year 2026-2027 D
  • 3/29 – 6/11: Spring Quarter 2027 D

Admissions calendar

  • 5/1: National College Decision Day E
  • 5/1 – 6/30: Admission decision notification period for summer and autumn quarter for transfer students E
  • 5/1 – 6/30: Admission decision notification period for summer and autumn quarter for postbaccalaureate students E

Finance calendar

  • 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027: Fiscal Year 2027 H

UMAC event calendar

Advancement calendar

  • 5/1: G
  • 5/5: G

Unofficial holidays

  • 5/1: F
  • 5/5: F
  • 5/5: F
  • 5/9: F

Accessibility events

Messaging theme

Theme
This is UW A
Hashtag
#ThisIsUW
Goal
Celebrate 2026-27 student, faculty, staff and alumni accomplishments to elicit pride in their communities
Content ideas
UW community members having a positive impact​; Awards and honors recognizing excellence​; Stories that performed well and deserve to be featured again​; Graduates who have lined up jobs thanks to their degrees​; Graduates who have overcome barriers thanks to the UW​; Annual awards honorees​
Content topics
School Spirit; Community; Alumni; Student Experience; Leadership; Athletics; Arts

History and heritage celebration(s)

Important date(s)

Academic calendar

  • 9/1/2026 – 8/31/2027: Academic Year 2026-2027 D
  • 3/29 – 6/11: Spring Quarter 2027 D
  • 6/4: Last day of instruction for Spring Quarter 2027 D
  • 6/5 – 6/11: Final examinations for Spring Quarter 2027 D
  • 6/11: D
  • 6/12 – 6/20: Summer Break D
  • 6/12: UW Seattle Commencement D
  • 6/13: D
  • 6/21 – 8/20: Summer Full-Term 2027 D
  • 6/21 – 7/21: Summer A-Term 2027 D
  • 6/21: Instruction begins for Summer Full-Term 2027 D
  • 6/21: Instruction begins for Summer A-Term 2027 D

Admissions calendar

  • 5/1 – 6/30: Admission decision notification period for summer and autumn quarter for transfer students E
  • 5/1 – 6/30: Admission decision notification period for summer and autumn quarter for postbaccalaureate students E

Finance calendar

  • 7/1/2026 – 6/30/2027: Fiscal Year 2027 H
  • 6/30: Fiscal Year 2027 Ends H

UMAC event calendar

Advancement calendar

  • 6/12: G
  • 6/27: G

Unofficial holidays

  • 6/20: F

Footnotes

  1. Class not in session.
  2. If a federal holiday falls on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday), it is generally observed on the nearest workday – Monday for a Sunday holiday and Friday for a Saturday holiday. Please check with your employer for additional details.
  3. These holidays (or dates within holidays) are designated non-work (observance) days.Some of these dates are not fixed to a calendar but based on the actual sighting of the moon and therefore there may be some variance by day.
  4. All Jewish, Islamic, and µþ²¹³óá’í holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the first date shown.
  5. Date not fixed.
  6. October 7 & 8 primary observation days.
  7. Begins evening of March 3 and ends the evening of March 4.
  8. April 1-2 and 8-9 primary obligation days.
  9. September 26-27 primary observation days.
  10. April 21-22 and 28-29 primary obligation days.

Sources

  1. UMAC Monthly Message Guide
  2. ÌìÃÀӰÊӴ«ý Academic Calendars
  3. Internal UMAC Calendar
  4. Internal Advancement Calendar
  5. Finance, Planning, and Budgeting Calendar
  6. ATS Calendar