School calendars in the United States

The fall break is under way in some districts, until Friday, October 23 at the latest.

All school breaks in the United States: the next break coming up and the dates by school district and school year.

Next school break

Fall break

Oct 9 – 23, 2026 (varies by district)

School breaks in the 2026-2027 school year

Dates are taken from official publications. Schools may have additional days off, so check with your school if in doubt.

Sources: Official source (Hawaii State Department of Education), Official source (Cobb County School District), Official source (DeKalb County School District), Official source (resources.finalsite.net) and 57 more. Last checked: October 12, 2026. More about our sources

School breaks in other countries

We also track school holidays in 9 other countries. Here you can see which holiday comes next in each one and when the 2026 summer holidays fall.

  • AustriaNext: Herbstferien, Oct 27 – 31, 2026Summer holidays 2026: Jul 4 – Sep 13, 2026 (varies by district)
  • BelgiumNext: Herfstvakantie, Oct 19 – Nov 8, 2026 (varies by district)Summer holidays 2026: Jul 1 – Aug 31, 2026 (varies by district)
  • DenmarkUnder way: Efterårsferie, until Sunday, October 18Summer holidays 2026: Jun 27 – Aug 12, 2026 (varies by district)
  • FranceUnder way: Vacances de la Toussaint, until Monday, November 2Summer holidays 2026: Jul 3 – Sep 2, 2026 (varies by district)
  • GermanyUnder way: Herbstferien, until Friday, November 6Summer holidays 2026: Jun 29 – Sep 14, 2026 (varies by district)
  • NetherlandsUnder way: Herfstvakantie, until Sunday, October 25Summer holidays 2026: Jul 4 – Aug 30, 2026 (varies by district)
  • SwedenUnder way: Höstlov, until Sunday, November 1
  • SwitzerlandUnder way: Herbstferien, until Sunday, November 8Summer holidays 2026: Jun 18 – Aug 30, 2026 (varies by district)
  • United KingdomUnder way: October half term, until Sunday, November 1Summer holidays 2026: Jul 18 – Sep 6, 2026 (varies by district)

Who sets school breaks in the US?

In the United States, school calendars are set locally. Each of the thousands of public school districts adopts its own calendar, usually approved by the school board. States set the framework: most require a minimum number of instructional days or hours per year, often around 180 days, and some states have rules on how early the school year may start.

That's why this site shows the breaks per school district. Private schools and many charter schools set their own calendars, so check with your child's school if it is not part of a public district.

Most districts adopt the calendar for the next school year in the winter or spring. Many build in a few spare days at the end of the year, so that days lost to snow, storms or other emergency closures can be made up without moving the planned breaks. In some districts, a long run of closures can still shorten a break or extend the school year.

A typical school year

Most school years start in August or early September and end in late May or June. Along the way come a few fixed breaks: some districts have a short fall break in October, almost all close for Thanksgiving, winter break covers Christmas and New Year's, and spring break falls in March or April. Many districts also close on federal holidays such as Labor Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents' Day.

Summer vacation is long, usually around ten to eleven weeks. Districts in the South and Midwest tend to start and finish earlier, while many in the Northeast start after Labor Day and finish in late June. Some districts use a year-round calendar with shorter breaks spread across the year.

Planning a trip around school breaks

The days around Thanksgiving, the winter holidays and spring break are among the busiest travel periods of the year, with higher fares and crowded airports. Because spring break dates differ between districts and colleges, popular destinations can be busy for several weeks in March and April.

Besides the official breaks, schools often have teacher workdays, professional development days or parent-teacher conference days when students stay home. These are listed in your district's calendar.

Frequently asked questions

When is the next school break?

The next school break is the fall break, starting Friday, October 9, 2026.

Who sets school calendars in the US?

Local school districts, usually through the school board. States set the rules, such as a minimum number of instructional days or hours, but the actual break dates are decided by each district.

Are school breaks the same in every state?

No. Every district sets its own calendar, so dates can differ even between neighboring districts. Breaks around Thanksgiving and the winter holidays are the most similar across the country.

When does the school year start?

It depends on the district. In much of the South and Midwest, school starts in early or mid-August; in many districts in the Northeast, it starts around or after Labor Day.

Do private and charter schools follow the district calendar?

Not always. Private schools set their own calendars, and charter schools often do too. Check your child's school for its exact dates.