Smithsonian Institution
5 Star Employer Ranking
600 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Year's Day Holiday | 1 January 2025 | Institution-wide closure for the start of the year, affecting all staff and programs. |
| 🕊️ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 20 January 2025 | Observance with special educational programs on civil rights. |
| 📅 | Spring Semester Begins | 21 January 2025 | Start of educational and research activities for the spring term. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day | 17 February 2025 | Holiday closure with focus on historical exhibits. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break Begins | 10 March 2025 | Week-long break for rest and travel. |
| 📚 | Spring Break Ends | 17 March 2025 | Resumption of regular activities. |
| 🎖️ | Memorial Day | 26 May 2025 | Closure to honor military personnel. |
| 🏆 | Spring Semester Ends | 30 May 2025 | Conclusion of spring term programs. |
| ✊ | Juneteenth | 19 June 2025 | Celebration of emancipation with events. |
| 🎆 | Independence Day | 4 July 2025 | National holiday with fireworks and exhibits. |
| 🍂 | Fall Semester Begins | 25 August 2025 | Kickoff of fall educational cycle. |
| 🛠️ | Labor Day | 1 September 2025 | Holiday honoring workers. |
| 🌿 | Indigenous Peoples' Day | 13 October 2025 | Recognition of native cultures. |
| 🇺🇸 | Veterans Day | 11 November 2025 | Honoring military veterans. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break Begins | 27 November 2025 | Start of Thanksgiving holiday period. |
| 🍁 | Thanksgiving Break Ends | 1 December 2025 | Return to activities post-holiday. |
| ❄️ | Fall Semester Ends | 19 December 2025 | End of fall term. |
| 🎄 | Christmas Day | 25 December 2025 | Holiday closure. |
Are you planning on applying to Smithsonian Institution next year? Then you need to know the important dates and deadlines for the admissions process at Smithsonian Institution. You can check them out below…
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📝 | Fellowship Application Opens | 1 September 2025 | Start of applications for 2026 fellowships. |
| ⏰ | Early Decision Deadline | 1 November 2025 | Deadline for early fellowship considerations. |
| 📅 | Regular Application Deadline | 15 January 2026 | Final submission for standard applications. |
| 🗣️ | Interview Period Begins | 1 February 2026 | Start of interviews for selected candidates. |
| 📬 | Decision Notification | 1 April 2026 | Notifications sent to applicants. |
| ✅ | Acceptance Deadline | 1 May 2026 | Deadline to accept offers. |
| 👋 | Orientation for New Fellows | 1 August 2026 | Welcome session for incoming participants. |
| 🚀 | Program Start Date | 1 September 2026 | Official start of 2026 programs. |
The Smithsonian Institution, renowned for its vast network of museums, research centers, and educational programs in Washington, District of Columbia, United States, operates on a structured academic calendar that aligns with its mission to increase and diffuse knowledge. Unlike traditional universities, the Smithsonian's calendar emphasizes research cycles, educational outreach, and public programming, but it incorporates semester-like periods for affiliated academic partnerships, internships, and professional development courses. Typically, the year is divided into fall, spring, and summer terms, with the fall term beginning after Labor Day and extending through the winter holidays, the spring term starting in early January and running until late May, and summer sessions offering intensive workshops and field studies. This structure allows for flexibility in planning classes, exams, holidays, breaks, work schedules, deadlines, tracking rival school events, coordinating family travel, and verifying historical dates. Traditions at the Smithsonian include special holiday alignments, such as extended closures during major U.S. holidays like Thanksgiving, which provide opportunities for staff and participants to recharge. The calendar has evolved historically, drawing from early 19th-century foundations when the institution was established in 1846, adapting to modern educational needs while maintaining a focus on innovation and public engagement. Compared to other institutions, the Smithsonian's calendar is more fluid, accommodating international collaborations and avoiding rigid academic pressures. For students and faculty involved in Smithsonian programs, this impacts planning by offering unique breaks for research travel. Admissions for fellowships and internships follow similar patterns, with international considerations for visa timelines. Holiday alignments ensure synchronization with national observances, enhancing work-life balance. To get insights from peers, check out Rate My Professor for ratings on educators involved in Smithsonian programs.
At the Smithsonian Institution, semester dates are designed to facilitate a blend of research, curation, and educational activities. The fall semester generally kicks off with orientation sessions, allowing participants to plan classes around exhibit preparations and lecture series. This period is crucial for setting work schedules and deadlines, ensuring that projects align with institutional goals. Spring semesters often focus on fieldwork and collaborative projects, providing breaks for reflection. Planning tips include using the calendar to coordinate family travel and track events at similar institutions. Ratings from Rate My Professor can help in selecting courses led by esteemed researchers. The institution's unique position in Washington allows for integration with national events, making class planning an exciting endeavor.
Exam schedules at the Smithsonian are tailored to program needs, typically occurring at the end of terms with ample preparation time. Study tips emphasize utilizing the institution's vast resources, like archives and libraries, to deepen understanding. Preparation involves balancing work deadlines and holidays, ensuring minimal disruption.
For U.S.-based programs, Thanksgiving break at the Smithsonian offers a welcome pause, aligning with national traditions of gratitude and family gatherings. This break allows for travel planning, whether visiting historical sites or coordinating with family. Traditions include virtual events or exhibit reflections, with tips for maximizing the time off to recharge before deadlines.
The Smithsonian calendar incorporates U.S. holidays like Thanksgiving and spring breaks, providing opportunities for rest and exploration. These periods are ideal for planning work schedules, tracking events, and verifying historical dates, with tips for international participants on cultural adaptations.
Faculty and staff at the Smithsonian manage work schedules around research deadlines, with the calendar guiding project timelines and professional development.
Meetings and grading periods are scheduled to align with institutional priorities. Explore job opportunities at research jobs and invite employees to rate their employer experiences.
Historically, the Smithsonian's calendars have adapted to major events, like post-World War patterns, informing future planning without specific dates.
Key events include orientations and commencements for programs. Invite students to rate professors at Rate My Professor or view existing ratings.
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Year's Day Holiday | 1 January 2026 | Institution closure for New Year. |
| 🕊️ | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 19 January 2026 | Civil rights observance. |
| 📅 | Spring Semester Begins | 20 January 2026 | Start of spring activities. |
| 🇺🇸 | Presidents' Day | 16 February 2026 | Historical holiday. |
| 🏖️ | Spring Break Begins | 9 March 2026 | Break commencement. |
| 📚 | Spring Break Ends | 16 March 2026 | Activities resume. |
| 🎖️ | Memorial Day | 25 May 2026 | Military honor day. |
| 🏆 | Spring Semester Ends | 29 May 2026 | Term conclusion. |
| ✊ | Juneteenth | 19 June 2026 | Emancipation celebration. |
| 🎆 | Independence Day Observed | 3 July 2026 | Holiday observance. |
| 🍂 | Fall Semester Begins | 24 August 2026 | Fall kickoff. |
| 🛠️ | Labor Day | 7 September 2026 | Workers' holiday. |
| 🌿 | Indigenous Peoples' Day | 12 October 2026 | Cultural recognition. |
| 🇺🇸 | Veterans Day | 11 November 2026 | Veterans honor. |
| 🦃 | Thanksgiving Break Begins | 26 November 2026 | Holiday start. |
| 🍁 | Thanksgiving Break Ends | 30 November 2026 | Post-holiday resume. |
| ❄️ | Fall Semester Ends | 18 December 2026 | Term end. |
| 🎄 | Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Christmas closure. |
