Revised 9/20/2024
This calendar includes an addendum listing religious holidays for use in requesting excused absences according to University Policy, Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities and Religious Holidays. For religious holidays not listed, contact the Office of the Chaplain.
Graduate programs in the Cox School of Business, Perkins School of Theology, Dedman School of Law, and Graduate and Advanced Studies have different calendars. (See the Education and Human Development calendar for specific information regarding the Dispute Resolution and MS in Counseling programs.)
A comprehensive schedule of holiday dates that the offices of the University will be closed will be announced at a later date.
Fall Term 2025
August 25 – December 20, 2025
March 31 - August 29, Monday–Friday: Enrollment for fall 2025 continuing students for all undergraduates and for graduate students in Dedman College, Lyle, Meadows, and Simmons.
May - August: Virtual Orientation experiences for new first-year and transfer undergraduate students. More information about Virtual Orientation is available from the Orientation and Transition Programs office, Student Affairs, 214-768-4560, /StudentAffairs/OrientationandTransitionPrograms/Orientation.
August 24, Sunday: Opening Convocation, McFarlin Auditorium.
August 24, Sunday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students visit . Graduate students contact academic school of record.)
August 25, Monday: First day of classes.
August 29, Friday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without tuition billing while remaining enrolled for the term.
September 1, Monday: Labor Day. University offices closed.
September 8, Monday: Last day to drop a course without academic record (tuition charges apply). Last day to withdraw from the university without academic record (withdrawal refund schedule applies). See Bursar’s website for more information.
September 10, Wednesday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information). Last day to request an excused absence for the observance of a religious holiday. Last day to file for graduation in December. (Fall Census Date)
TBA, Friday-Saturday: Family Weekend.
September 30, Tuesday: Early intervention grades due for undergraduate students.
October 1, Wednesday: Degree Planner completion required for undergraduate students.
October 1, Wednesday: Last day for continuing undergraduate students to change their majors before spring enrollment.
October 13-14, Monday-Tuesday: Fall Break (Tentative)
October 20-21, Monday-Tuesday: Fall Break (Alternate Date)
TBA, Friday - Saturday: Homecoming Weekend.
October 27, Monday: Midterm grades due for undergraduate students.
TBD: 60 percent point of the term that federal financial aid has been earned if a student officially withdraws from SMU; prior to this date a partial calculated return to federal programs will be required.
November 3-21, Monday–Friday: Enrollment for spring 2026 continuing students for all undergraduates and for graduate students in Dedman College, Lyle, Meadows, and Simmons.
November 13, Thursday: Last day for December graduation candidates to change grades of Incomplete, and to obtain a final grade for a grade of X or a missing grade from a previous term.
November 17, Monday: Students may begin applying for May graduation. The deadline to apply for graduation is February 4, 2026.
November 25, Tuesday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W). (This date does not apply to courses in which the last class meeting and final exam have occurred.)
November 26, Wednesday: No classes.
November 27-28, Thursday–Friday: Thanksgiving holiday. University offices closed.
December 3-8, Wednesday-Monday: No final examinations or unscheduled tests and papers.
December 4, Thursday: Last day for oral/written examinations for December graduate degree candidates.
December 8, Monday: Last day of classes.
December 9-10, Tuesday-Wednesday: Reading day.
December 11-17, Thursday-Wednesday: Examinations. (No examinations scheduled for Sunday).
December 19, Friday: December Rotunda Recessional.
December 20, Saturday: December Commencement. Official close of term and conferral of degrees.
Holiday Break (TBA): University closed.
December 25, Thursday: Christmas Day.
January Term 2026
December 18, 2025 – January 16, 2026
The January Term consists of two primary sessions: Dallas January Session and SMU-in-Taos January Session. Each primary session has different deadline dates. Some areas of instruction offer a limited number of online courses that begin December 18 and end January 16. These courses have unique deadline dates and class meeting times to accommodate the particular needs of the course. For more information, visit SMU Intersessions.
January 1, Thursday: New Year’s Day. University offices closed.
Dallas January Session 2026
(IT Session)
Note: Classes meet six hours per day, Monday through Friday. See Intersessions website for specific class information.
January 5, Monday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students contact intersessions@smu.edu. Graduate students contact academic school of record.)
January 6, Tuesday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without academic record (tuition charges apply). Last day to withdraw from the term without academic record (withdrawal refund schedule applies).
January 6, Tuesday: First day of classes.
January 7, Wednesday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information). Last day to request an excused absence for the observance of a religious holiday. Last day to file for graduation in January Term. (Census Date)
January 9, Friday: Last day for January Term graduation candidates to change grades of Incomplete, and to obtain a final grade for a grade of X or a missing grade from a previous term.
January 15, Thursday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W).
January 16, Friday: Last day of classes, including examinations.
January 16, Friday: Official close of the term and conferral of degrees.
SMU-in-Taos January Session 2026
(IT Session)
NOTE: Permission of SMU-in-Taos required for all enrollments.
January 1, Thursday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students contact smutaos@smu.edu.)
January 2, Friday: Travel day and arrival of students, 2-6 p.m. (Wellness class students.)
January 3, Saturday: First day of classes. (Wellness class students.)
January 4, Sunday: Travel day and arrival of students, 2-6 p.m. (Non-Wellness class students.)
January 4, Sunday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without academic record.
January 5, Monday: First day of classes. (Non-Wellness class students.)
January 6, Tuesday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information). Last day to request an excused absence for the observance of a religious holiday.
January 7, Wednesday: Last day to file for graduation in January Term. (Census Date)
January 8, Thursday: Last day for January Term graduation candidates to change grades of Incomplete, and to obtain a final grade for a grade of X or a missing grade from a previous term.
January 14, Wednesday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W).
January 15, Thursday: Last day of classes, including examinations.
January 16, Friday: Travel Day.
January 16, Friday: Official close of the term and conferral of degrees.
Spring Term 2026
January 20 – May 16, 2026
November 3 – January 26, Monday–Monday: Enrollment for spring 2026 continuing students for all undergraduates and for graduate students in Dedman College, Lyle, Meadows, and Simmons.
December – January: Virtual Orientation experiences for new first-year and transfer undergraduate students. More information about Virtual Orientation is available from the Orientation and Transition Programs office, Student Affairs, 214-768-4560, /StudentAffairs/OrientationandTransitionPrograms/Orientation.
January 1, Thursday: New Year’s Day. University offices closed.
TBA: Spring Rotunda Passage
January 19, Monday: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. University offices closed.
January 19, Monday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students visit . Graduate students contact academic school of record.)
January 20, Tuesday: First day of classes.
January 26, Monday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without tuition billing while remaining enrolled for the term.
February 2, Monday: Last day to drop a course without academic record (tuition charges apply). Last day to withdraw from the university without academic record (withdrawal refund schedule applies). See Bursar’s website for more information.
February 4, Wednesday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information). Also, last day to request an excused absence for the observance of a religious holiday. Last day to file for graduation in May. (Spring Census Date)
February 24, Tuesday: Early intervention grades due for undergraduate students.
February 27, Friday: Last day for continuing undergraduate students to change their majors before summer/fall enrollment.
March 1, Sunday: Degree Planner completion required for undergraduate students.
March 16-22, Monday-Sunday: Spring break (Tentative. Subject to Change.)
March 26, Thursday: Midterm grades due for undergraduate students.
TBD: 60 percent point of the term that federal financial aid has been earned if a student officially withdraws from SMU; prior to this date a partial calculated return to federal programs will be required.
April 3, Friday: Good Friday. University offices closed.
April 5, Sunday: Easter Sunday.
April 6 – 24, Monday–Friday: Enrollment for summer 2026 and fall 2026 continuing students for all undergraduates and for graduate students in Dedman College, Lyle, Meadows, and Simmons.
TBA: Honors Convocation.
April 16, Thursday: Last Day for May graduation candidates to change grades of Incomplete, and to obtain a final grade for a grade of X or a missing grade from a previous term.
April 23, Thursday: Students may begin applying for August or December graduation. The deadline to apply for August graduation is June 12. The deadline to apply for December graduation will be indicated in the 2026-27 Academic Calendar.
April 27, Monday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W). (This date does not apply to courses in which the last class meeting and final exam have occurred.)
April 30 – May 5, Thursday–Tuesday: No final examinations or unscheduled tests and papers.
May 1, Friday: Last day for oral/written examinations for graduate students who are May degree candidates.
May 5, Tuesday: Last day of classes. (Follows a Friday schedule.)
May 6-7, Wednesday-Thursday: Reading Days.
May 8-14, Friday-Thursday: Examinations (No examinations scheduled for Sunday).
May 15, Friday: Baccalaureate.
May 16, Saturday: May Commencement. Official close of term and conferral of degrees.
May Term 2026
May 16 – June 2, 2026
The May Term consists of two primary sessions: Dallas May Session and SMU-in-Taos May Session. Each primary session has different deadline dates. Some areas of instruction may offer a limited number of selected courses during the May Term, May 16 – June 2, with unique start, end, deadline dates, and class meeting times to accommodate the particular needs of the course.
Dallas May Session 2026
Note: Classes meet four hours per day, Monday through Friday.
May 17, Sunday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students contact intersessions@smu.edu. Graduate students contact academic school of record.)
May 18, Monday: First day of classes.
May 18, Monday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without academic record (tuition charges apply). Last day to withdraw from the term without academic record (withdrawal refund schedule applies). See Bursar’s website for more information.
May 19, Tuesday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information). Last day to request an excused absence for the observance of a religious holiday. Last day to file for graduation in May Term. (Census Date)
May 25, Monday: Memorial Day. University offices closed.
May 27, Wednesday: Last day for May Term graduation candidates to change grades of Incomplete, and to obtain a final grade for a grade of X or a missing grade from a previous term.
May 28, Thursday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W).
June 2, Tuesday: Last day of classes, including examinations.
June 2, Tuesday: Official close of term and conferral of degrees.
SMU-in-Taos May Session 2026
NOTE: Permission of SMU-in-Taos required for all enrollments.
May 14, Thursday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students contact smutaos@smu.edu.)
May 15, Friday: Travel day and arrival of students, 2-6 p.m. (Wellness class students.)
May 16, Saturday: First day of classes. (Wellness class students.)
May 17, Sunday: Travel day and arrival of students, 2-6 p.m. (Non-Wellness class students.)
May 18, Monday: First day of classes. (Non-Wellness class students.)
May 18, Monday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without academic record (tuition charges apply). Last day to withdraw from the term without academic record (withdrawal refund schedule applies). See Bursar’s website for more information.
May 19, Tuesday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information). Last day to file for graduation in May Term. Last day to request an excused absence for the observance of a religious holiday. (Census Date)
May 23, Saturday: Classes held.
May 25, Monday: Memorial Day. (Classes held.)
May 26, Tuesday: Last day for May Term graduation candidates to change grades of Incomplete, and to obtain a final grade for a grade of X or a missing grade from a previous term.
May 27, Wednesday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W).
May 30, Saturday: Last day of classes, including examinations.
May 31, Sunday: Travel Day. (All students)
June 2, Tuesday: Official close of term and conferral of degrees.
Summer Term 2026
June 3 – August 4, 2026
The summer term consists of four primary sessions: Dallas Full Session, Dallas First Session (June), SMU-in-Taos Sessions, and Dallas Second Session (July). Each primary session has different deadline dates. There are also four shorter sessions within the first and second sessions. Some areas of instruction may offer a limited number of selected courses during the Summer Term, June 3 – August 4, with unique start, end, deadline dates, and class meeting times to accommodate the particular needs of the course.
Dallas Full Session
(S3 Session)
Note: Classes meet 2 hours, 15 minutes twice a week or 1 hour, 30 minutes three times a week.
May 25, Monday: Memorial Day. University offices closed.
June 2, Tuesday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students contact intersessions@smu.edu. Graduate students contact academic school of record.)
June 3, Wednesday: First day of classes.
June 8, Monday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without academic record (tuition charges apply). Last day to withdraw from the term without academic record (withdrawal refund schedule applies). See Bursar’s website for more information.
June 12, Friday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information). Last day to request an excused absence for the observance of a religious holiday. Last day to file for August graduation. (Census Date)
July 3, Friday: Independence Day observed. University offices closed.
July 16, Thursday: Last day for August graduation candidates to change grades of Incomplete, and to obtain a final grade for a grade of X or a missing grade from a previous term.
July 29, Wednesday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W).
August 4, Tuesday: Last day of classes, including examinations. Official close of term and conferral of degrees.
Dallas First Session (June)
(S1 Session)
Note: Classes meet 2 hours a day, Monday–Friday.
May 25, Monday: Memorial Day. University offices closed.
June 2, Tuesday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students contact intersessions@smu.edu. Graduate students contact academic school of record.)
June 3, Wednesday: First day of classes.
June 4, Thursday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without academic record (tuition charges apply). Last day to withdraw from the term without academic record (withdrawal refund schedule applies). See Bursar’s website for more information.
June 8, Monday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information). Last day to request an excused absence for the observance of a religious holiday. (Census Date)
June 12, Friday: Last day to file for August graduation.
June 18, Thursday: Last day for August graduation candidates to change grades of Incomplete, and to obtain a final grade for a grade of X or a missing grade from a previous term.
June 26, Friday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W).
July 2, Thursday: Last day of classes, including examinations.
August 4, Tuesday: Official close of term and conferral of degrees.
Dallas June A (11-day June Session)
(S1A Session)
Classes meet four hours per day, Monday through Friday.
June 2, Tuesday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students contact intersessions@smu.edu. Graduate students contact academic school of record.)
June 3, Wednesday: First day of classes.
June 3, Wednesday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without academic record (tuition charges apply). Last day to withdraw from the term without academic record (withdrawal refund schedule applies). See Bursar’s website for more information.
June 4, Thursday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information). (Census Date)
June 12, Friday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W).
June 17, Wednesday: Last day of classes, including examinations.
Dallas June B (11-day June Session)
(S1B Session)
Classes meet four hours per day, Monday through Friday.
June 17, Wednesday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students contact intersessions@smu.edu. Graduate students contact academic school of record.)
June 18, Thursday: First day of classes.
June 18, Thursday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without academic record (tuition charges apply). Last day to withdraw from the term without academic record (withdrawal refund schedule applies). See Bursar’s website for more information.
June 19, Friday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information). (Census Date)
June 29, Monday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W).
July 2, Thursday: Last day of classes, including examinations.
Dallas Second Session (July)
(S2 Session)
Note: Classes meet 2 hours a day, Monday–Friday.
June 12, Friday: Last day to file for August graduation.
July 3, Friday: Independence Day observed. University offices closed.
July 5, Sunday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students contact intersessions@smu.edu. Graduate students contact academic school of record.)
July 6, Monday: First day of classes.
July 7, Tuesday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without academic record (tuition charges apply). Last day to withdraw from the term without academic record (withdrawal refund schedule applies). See Bursar’s website for more information.
July 9, Thursday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information). Last day to request an excused absence for the observance of a religious holiday. (Census Date)
July 14, Tuesday: Last day for August graduation candidates to change grades of Incomplete, and to obtain a final grade for a grade of X or a missing grade from a previous term.
July 29, Wednesday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W).
August 4, Tuesday: Last day of classes, including examinations. Official close of term and conferral of degrees.
Dallas July A (11-day July Session)
(S2A Session)
Classes meet four hours per day, Monday through Friday.
July 3, Friday: Independence Day observed. University offices closed.
July 5, Sunday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students contact intersessions@smu.edu. Graduate students contact academic school of record.)
July 6, Monday: First day of classes.
July 6, Monday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without academic record (tuition charges apply). Last day to withdraw from the term without academic record (withdrawal refund schedule applies). See Bursar’s website for more information.
July 7, Tuesday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information). (Census Date)
July 15, Wednesday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W).
July 20, Monday: Last day of classes, including examinations.
Dallas July B (11-day July Session)
(S2B Session)
Classes meet four hours per day, Monday through Friday.
July 20, Monday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students contact intersessions@smu.edu. Graduate students contact academic school of record.)
July 21, Tuesday: First day of classes.
July 21, Tuesday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without academic record (tuition charges apply). Last day to withdraw from the term without academic record (withdrawal refund schedule applies). See Bursar’s website for more information.
July 22, Wednesday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information). (Census Date)
July 30, Thursday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W).
August 4, Tuesday: Last day of classes, including examinations.
SMU-in-Taos
June Session
(S1 Session)
Classes meet four hours per day, Monday through Friday.
NOTE: Permission of SMU-in-TAOS required for all enrollments.
June 1, Monday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students contact smutaos@smu.edu. Graduate students contact academic school of record.)
June 2, Tuesday: Travel day and arrival of students, 2-6 p.m.
June 3, Wednesday: First day of classes.
June 3, Wednesday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without academic record (tuition charges apply). Last day to withdraw from the term without academic record (withdrawal refund schedule applies). See Bursar’s website for more information.
June 4, Thursday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information).
June 12, Friday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W).
June 17, Wednesday: Last day of classes, including examinations.
June 18, Thursday: Departure of students.
July Session
(S2 Session)
Classes meet four hours per day, Monday through Friday.
July 3, Friday: Independence Day observed. University offices closed.
July 11, Saturday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students contact smutaos@smu.edu. Graduate students contact academic school of record.)
July 12, Sunday: Travel day and arrival of students, 2-6 p.m.
July 13, Monday: First day of classes.
July 13, Monday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without academic record (tuition charges apply). Last day to withdraw from the term without academic record (withdrawal refund schedule applies). See Bursar’s website for more information.
July 14, Tuesday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information).
July 22, Wednesday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W).
July 27, Monday: Last day of classes, including examinations.
July 28, Tuesday: Departure of students.
August Term 2026
August 6 – 20, 2026
The August Term consists of one primary session: SMU-in-Taos August Session. Some areas of instruction may offer a limited number of selected courses during the August Term, August 6 – 20, with unique start, end, and deadline dates to accommodate the particular needs of the course.
SMU-in-Taos August Session
Note: Permission of SMU-in-Taos required for all enrollments.
August 4, Tuesday: Last day to submit a request for cancellation/withdrawal from all courses with no tuition charges. (Undergraduate students contact smutaos@smu.edu.)
August 5, Wednesday: Travel day and arrival of students, 2-6 p.m.
August 6, Thursday: First day of classes.
August 6, Thursday: Last day to enroll, add a course, or drop a course without academic record (tuition charges apply). Last day to withdraw from the term without academic record (withdrawal refund schedule applies). See Bursar’s website for more information.
August 7, Friday: Last day to declare no-credit grading option for a course (see UG catalog for specific information). Last day to file for graduation in August Term. Last day to request an excused absence for the observance of a religious holiday. (Census Date)
August 14, Friday: Last day for August Term graduation candidates to change grades of Incomplete, and to obtain a final grade for a grade of X or a missing grade from a previous term.
August 19, Wednesday: Last day to: declare a course pass/fail (see UG catalog for specific information), drop a course (grade of W), and withdraw from the University (grades of W).
August 20, Thursday: Last day of classes, including examinations. Official close of term and conferral of degrees.
August 21, Friday: Travel Day.
Major Religious Holidays
(August 2025 - August 2026)
Listing of religious holidays for use in requesting excused absences according to University Policy, Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities and Religious Holidays. For religious holidays not listed, the instructor or supervisor may contact the Office of the Chaplain.
Christian
Christmas: December 25, 2025
Good Friday: April 3, 2026
Easter Sunday: April 5, 2026
Easter Sunday (Orthodox): April 12, 2026
Hindu
Janmashtami: August 16, 2025
Dasara/Dussehra: October 1, 2025
Diwali: October 21, 2025
Jewish
Rosh Hashanah: September 23-24, 2025
Yom Kippur: October 2, 2025
Sukkot/Simchat Torah: October 7-15, 2025
Hanukkah: December 15–22, 2025
Purim: March 3, 2026
Pesach (Passover): April 2-9, 2026
Shavout: May 22, 2026
Islam
Mawlid al-Nabi: September 5, 2025
Ramadan: March 1-30, 2026
Eid al-Fitr: March 30, 2026
Eid al-Adha: May 27, 2026
Islamic New Year: June 17, 2026
Ashura: June 26, 2026
* All Islamic and Jewish holidays begin at sundown the day before the date listed.