Winter Recess Information
For a list of upcoming scheduled Winter Recess days, see the Holiday & Winter Recess Calendar.
Winter Recess refers to the closing of the University’s academic and administrative offices between the scheduled Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve holidays. This is done in recognition of the season and dedication of Northwestern’s faculty and staff. Winter Recess days are not holidays but are provided in addition to the already scheduled University holidays of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
The goal of Winter Recess is to close the University. However, a few areas of the University provide critical, essential services and therefore will not close during the Winter Recess. Those areas will maintain appropriate levels of staff for operations and continuity of service during this period. Staff members in those areas who are not able to be off during the Winter Recess period will be allowed to take the equivalent number of approved days off prior to August 31 of the following year.
There will be changes to Northwestern’s shuttle service and hours of operation at recreation facilities during Winter Recess.
- Visit the Transportation and Parking website for a complete list of shuttle service updates during Winter Recess.
- Visit the Northwestern Recreation website for alternate schedules for the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion and Norris Aquatics Center.
Sustainability
To support Northwestern’s vision of fostering a culture of sustainability and environmental stewardship, sustainNU is leading the way during Winter Recess. Visit sustainNU to see an energy conservation check list for the time when work spaces are unoccupied for longer periods of time.
Questions?
See our Winter Recess FAQs for answers to common questions, including those about essential staff, pay and accruals.