Key Dates

Culinary Services: 2026-27 Key Dates

MSU Culinary Services operates on a condensed/limited basis during holidays and breaks. Please note that there maybe modifications during the dates below that may impact dining plans and operations in your neighborhood. 

Visit our hours of operations page to see all current dining hours. 

Fall Semester 2026

  • Early Arrival Move-In
    • Friday, Aug. 21-Sunday, Aug. 23: 
      Dining purchases are only available individually and at the time of entry
    • Students can access dining by paying the door rate (tax does not apply for MSU students)
  • Dining Plans Access
    • Unlimited access begins Monday, Aug. 24; 6 CX through Saturday, Aug. 29
    • Full access begins Sunday, Aug. 30; 12 CX weekly
  • First Day of Classes: Monday, Aug. 31

Labor Day 

  • Monday, Sept. 7 2026
    • Residential Dining: All locations are open except The Vista at Shaw, Sparty's Markets at Holden and Holmes
    • Retail Dining: Limited locations open 

Fall Break 

  • Monday, Oct. 26-Tuesday, Oct. 27
    • Residential Dining: All locations are open
    • Retail Dining: Limited locations open; visit the EAS dining hours page to view break hours

Thanksgiving Break 

  • Thursday, Nov. 26-Sunday, Nov. 29
  • University Holiday (closed) Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27; Dining plan contracts exclude access during Thanksgiving Break
  • Most dining locations close at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25
    • Residential Dining: Locations reopen on Sunday, Nov. 29, 4:30 p.m.
    • Retail Dining: Limited locations open on Sunday, Nov. 29
    • Visit the EAS dining hours page to view hours for all dining locations.

Winter Break 

  • Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026-Friday, Jan. 15, 2027
  • Last Day of Exams: Friday, Dec. 18; Winter Break Hours begin
  • Dining plans end and dining locations close at 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18
    • Limited dining locations will be open over Winter Break
  • University Holidays (closed): Dec. 24, 2026-Jan. 3, 2027
  • Students' winter break ends on the First Day of Classes, Tuesday, Jan. 19  
  • Meal purchases are available as a pre-paid package through Live On or pay at the door rates
     

Spring Semester 2027

  • Dining Plan Access
    • Begins on Saturday, Jan. 16  |  Ends on Friday, May 7, at 3 p.m.
  • MLK Day: Monday, Jan. 18
  • First Day of Classes: Tuesday, Jan. 19
  • Dining Plan Contracts Include:
    • Unlimited AYCE (all you care to eat) and 12 CX swipes per week
    • Spring Break (Saturday, March 6-Sunday, March 14)
      • Dining locations will have limited hours of operation
        • Visit the EAS dining hours page to view hours during the break

MLK Day 

  • Monday, Jan. 18
    • Residential Dining: Open Locations - Brody Square, Heritage Commons at Landon, South Pointe at Case, The Edge at Akers, The Gallery at Sny/Phi and Thrive at Owen
    • Retail Dining: Limited locations open
    • Visit the EAS dining hours page to view hours 

February 13

  • Friday, Feb. 13
    • Residential Dining: All locations open
    • Retail Dining: Limited locations open

Spring Break 

  • Saturday, March 6-Sunday, March 14
  • Dining Plans access is included for Spring Break
    • Dining Operations: Limited residential and retail dining locations open
      • Visit the EAS dining hours page to view hours during Spring Break

Ramadan

  • Sunday, Feb. 7-Monday, March 8
  • Accommodations are made for students who observe Ramadan related to food options
    • Students may pick up food from both AYCE and retail dining locations as a take-home option

Easter

  • Sunday, March 28
  • All residential dining locations are open with spring semester hours
  • Brunch options will be available for lunch starting at 11 a.m.
  • Visit the EAS dining hours page to view hours during Easter

Passover

  • Dinner on Wednesday, April 21, through dinner on Sunday, April 29
    • Visit our events page (closer to the event) for details on where to find Kosher for Passover 

Dining Plan Access

  • Dining plan access ends on Friday, May 7, and dining locations close at 3 p.m.
    • Some exceptions apply
       

Summer Semester 2027

  • Dining plans begin on Monday, May 10  |  End on Friday, Aug. 20
  • Dining plan contracts include both first and second sessions
    • The second session will only be billed if a student remains on campus
  • Unlimited AYCE (all you care to eat) and 12 CX swipes per week

Dining Rates

  • New Dining Rates: Begin Monday, May 10, 2027

Meal Tickets

  • Expiration Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2027