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UT Austin winter break 2026–27

When residence halls close and reopen, what dining and shuttles do, and when UT offices are closed

Dates to know

From the Registrar, University Housing and Dining, and UT Human Resources.

  • Last class dayDecember 7
  • 24-hour quiet hours start · In the residence hallsDecember 7, 10 p.m.
  • Final examsDecember 10–12 and 14
  • Residence halls close · $50 an hour if you haven’t left by thenDecember 15, 9 a.m.
  • Winter Term begins · UT’s short winter-term classesDecember 15
  • UT offices closed · Many offices run with fewer staff December 23 and 28–31December 24, 25 and January 1
  • Residence halls reopenJanuary 8, 9 a.m.
  • Spring 2027 classes beginJanuary 11

Dining, December 14–20

This is all UT has posted for these dates. Hours may change, so check UT’s hours page.

  • J2 Dining and Kins Dining · Closed Wednesday to SundayMon 7 a.m.–9 p.m., Tue 7 a.m.–2 p.m.
  • Jester City LimitsClosed all week
  • Jester City Market and Kin’s MarketMon 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
  • Panda ExpressMon–Tue 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Cypress Bend Cafe and Littlefield Patio CafeMon–Tue 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
  • Shake SmartMon–Tue 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • After December 20Not posted yet

UT shuttles, December 15 to January 11

Buses leave about every 35 minutes on all routes, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • December 15–18Every 35 minutes
  • December 19–20No service
  • December 21–24Every 35 minutes
  • December 25–27No service
  • December 28–31Every 35 minutes
  • January 1–3No service
  • January 4–8Every 35 minutes
  • January 9No service
  • January 10Sunday schedule
  • January 11 · First day of spring classesFull service returns
When do UT residence halls close for winter break?December 15 at 9 a.m.

Residence halls close Tuesday, December 15, 2026 at 9 a.m. If you haven’t left by then, UT charges $50 an hour. The 24-hour quiet hours start December 7 at 10 p.m.

Before you go, finish the resident checklist in the housing portal, defrost your microfridge, and return your key in a checkout envelope from the front desk.

UT’s checkout steps

Can I stay in my hall over winter break?Only with a Winter Break Housing contract.

To stay in your hall over the break, you need a Winter Break Housing contract from the housing portal. UT’s checkout page doesn’t list a price, so ask University Housing and Dining before you sign.

If you’re only leaving for break and returning in spring, you don’t need a second contract for the spring term.

When can I move back in?January 8 at 9 a.m.

Halls reopen Friday, January 8, 2027 at 9 a.m., three days before spring classes start on January 11.

Check your mailbox before you leave. After the halls close, you can’t pick up mail from your hall.

UT move-in dates

What if I’m not coming back in spring?Send the release request by November 15.

Residents who won’t return in spring must submit UT’s release request form to University Housing and Dining by November 15. You also need to move everything out by December 15 at 9 a.m.

Is UT dining open over winter break?Mostly closed after December 15.

J2 Dining and Kins Dining close at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15, and stay closed through December 20. Jester City Limits is closed that whole week. Jester City Market and Kin’s Market are open Monday, December 14 only. Panda Express, Cypress Bend Cafe, Littlefield Patio Cafe and Shake Smart are open Monday and Tuesday.

UT Housing and Dining updates its hours page, so check it before you rely on a location.

UT Dining hours Dining hours guide

Do UT shuttles and city buses run over winter break?Fewer buses, and none Dec 19–20, 25–27 and Jan 1–3.

From December 15 through January 8, UT shuttles leave about every 35 minutes on all routes, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is no service December 19–20, December 25–27, January 1–3 or January 9. Sunday service runs January 10, and full service returns January 11.

On December 25 and January 1, CapMetro runs Sunday service with no UT service, Night Owl, Rail or Express. On December 24, CapMetro runs its normal schedule. Ride CapMetro free with your physical UT ID card; a virtual ID doesn’t work.

UT shuttles and buses CapMetro holiday schedule

When is UT closed for the holidays?December 24, 25 and January 1.

The university is closed Thursday, December 24, Friday, December 25, and Friday, January 1, 2027. Offices run on skeleton crews on December 23 and December 28–31.

UT holiday schedule

SourcesUT Housing, Dining, Parking, CapMetro and HR

Checked November 11, 2026. Dates and hours come from University Housing and Dining, UT Parking and Transportation, CapMetro, UT Human Resources and the Registrar.

Move-in datesDining hoursUT shuttles and buses

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