As they do every year, Penn’s President, Provost, and Executive Vice President evaluate the feasibility of observing Penn’s traditional Special Winter Vacation. 

This year, the Special Winter Vacation granted to all regular full-time staff members, including faculty, will be on December 26, 29, 30, and 31. Employees required to work to continue departmental operations for part or all of this period may reschedule, within 90 days of the Special Winter Vacation period, time off for some other time during the year.

As a gesture of thanks, Penn is extending Winter Break to include Friday, January 2, 2026. Essential staff required to work that day will receive comp time that can be used by March 31, 2026.

Vacations and holidays for hospital employees or those staff members in collective bargaining units are governed by the terms of hospital policies or their respective collective bargaining agreements.

The complete list of recognized holidays for this fiscal year is available on the Holidays policy page.

—Division of Human Resources