Quick answer: In most large US school districts, Christmas break 2026 (also called winter break) runs from Monday, December 21, 2026 through Friday, January 1, 2027, with students back in the first week of January. Some districts start later, on Thursday, December 24, and a few run longer. Outside the US, dates differ widely: Singapore's year-end holidays start on November 21, while schools in Ireland close after December 22. Check your own district or school calendar before booking travel.
TL;DR
- Christmas Day 2026 is a Friday. New Year's Day 2027 is also a Friday.
- Most of the large US districts below close Monday, December 21, 2026 through Friday, January 1, 2027.
- New York City and Boston start winter recess on Thursday, December 24.
- Los Angeles Unified lists a longer break, December 21, 2026 to January 8, 2027.
- In every listed district with a confirmed return date, students go back on Monday, January 4 or Tuesday, January 5, 2027.
When is Christmas break 2026 in the US?
There is no single national Christmas break for US schools. Each district publishes its own calendar. In 2026, Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25, so many districts finish classes on Friday, December 18 and close for the two weeks that follow.
Winter break 2026–27 dates for major US school districts
Dates below come from each district's own 2026–27 calendar, checked on October 30, 2026. This is a sample of large districts, not every district in each state.
| District | State | Winter break (no school) | Students return |
|---|---|---|---|
| DistrictNew York City Public Schools | StateNew York | Winter break (no school)Thu Dec 24, 2026 – Fri Jan 1, 2027 | Students returnCheck calendar |
| DistrictBoston Public Schools | StateMassachusetts | Winter break (no school)Thu Dec 24, 2026 – Fri Jan 1, 2027 | Students returnTue Jan 5, 2027 |
| DistrictChicago Public Schools | StateIllinois | Winter break (no school)Mon Dec 21, 2026 – Fri Jan 1, 2027 | Students returnCheck calendar (Jan 4 is a PD day) |
| DistrictClark County School District | StateNevada | Winter break (no school)Mon Dec 21, 2026 – Fri Jan 1, 2027 | Students returnTue Jan 5, 2027 |
| DistrictHouston ISD | StateTexas | Winter break (no school)Mon Dec 21, 2026 – Mon Jan 4, 2027* | Students returnTue Jan 5, 2027 |
| DistrictDallas ISD | StateTexas | Winter break (no school)Mon Dec 21 – Thu Dec 31, 2026 | Students returnCheck calendar |
| DistrictFairfax County Public Schools | StateVirginia | Winter break (no school)Mon Dec 21, 2026 – Sun Jan 3, 2027 | Students returnMon Jan 4, 2027 |
| DistrictAtlanta Public Schools | StateGeorgia | Winter break (no school)Mon Dec 21 – Thu Dec 31, 2026 | Students returnCheck calendar |
| DistrictMetro Nashville Public Schools | StateTennessee | Winter break (no school)Mon Dec 21, 2026 – Mon Jan 4, 2027* | Students returnTue Jan 5, 2027 |
| DistrictMilwaukee Public Schools | StateWisconsin | Winter break (no school)Mon Dec 21, 2026 – Fri Jan 1, 2027 | Students returnMon Jan 4, 2027 |
| DistrictMinneapolis Public Schools | StateMinnesota | Winter break (no school)Mon Dec 21, 2026 – Fri Jan 1, 2027 | Students returnCheck calendar |
| DistrictOmaha Public Schools | StateNebraska | Winter break (no school)Mon Dec 21, 2026 – Mon Jan 4, 2027 | Students returnTue Jan 5, 2027 |
| DistrictPortland Public Schools | StateOregon | Winter break (no school)Mon Dec 21, 2026 – Fri Jan 1, 2027 | Students returnCheck calendar |
| DistrictSeattle Public Schools | StateWashington | Winter break (no school)Mon Dec 21, 2026 – Fri Jan 1, 2027 | Students returnCheck calendar |
| DistrictLos Angeles Unified | StateCalifornia | Winter break (no school)Mon Dec 21, 2026 – Fri Jan 8, 2027 | Students returnCheck calendar |
| DistrictMiami-Dade County Public Schools | StateFlorida | Winter break (no school)Mon Dec 21, 2026 – Fri Jan 1, 2027 | Students returnCheck calendar |
\* Houston ISD and Metro Nashville list January 4, 2027 as a staff or professional-development day with no classes for students.
Christmas break 2026 in other countries
| Country or region | School Christmas / year-end break 2026–27 |
|---|---|
| Canada: Toronto District School Board (Ontario) | Mon Dec 21, 2026 – Fri Jan 1, 2027; back Mon Jan 4 |
| Canada: Vancouver School Board (British Columbia) | Mon Dec 21, 2026 – Fri Jan 1, 2027; back Mon Jan 4 |
| Ireland (all primary and post-primary schools) | Last day Tue Dec 22, 2026; schools reopen Wed Jan 6, 2027 |
| Singapore (MOE primary and secondary schools) | Year-end holidays Sat Nov 21 – Thu Dec 31, 2026 |
| Malaysia (national schools) | Dec 4–31, 2026 in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu; Dec 5–31, 2026 in other states |
| Australia: New South Wales public schools | Summer holidays Fri Dec 18, 2026 – Wed Jan 27, 2027 (Eastern division) |
Canadian dates are set by each school board, so other boards in Ontario and British Columbia may differ. See the full calendars for Ontario, British Columbia, Ireland, Singapore, Malaysia and New South Wales. For the Philippines, see the Philippines school calendar.
How long is winter break?
In the US districts above, winter break is usually about two weeks: from the Monday before Christmas to New Year's Day, sometimes with an extra staff day in early January. A few districts start later (December 24) and a few run longer. Los Angeles Unified's break runs almost three weeks.
Outside the US the break can be much longer, because it is also the summer or year-end holiday. Singapore's school year ends on November 20, so the December holidays last about six weeks. In New South Wales, the summer holidays run from December 18 to late January.
When does winter break start, and when do students go back?
- Last day of school before the break: usually Friday, December 18, 2026 for districts that close on December 21.
- Starts: Monday, December 21, 2026 in most districts above; Thursday, December 24 in New York City and Boston.
- Back to school: Monday, January 4 or Tuesday, January 5, 2027 in most districts with a confirmed return date. Some districts use January 4 as a teacher day.
How to check your school's winter break
- Open your school district's 2026–27 calendar (not just your state's).
- Look for "winter break," "winter recess," "December break" or "non-school day" from December 18 to January 8.
- Check the first January date marked for students. "Staff development," "PD day" or "teacher workday" usually means no school for students.
- Private, charter and international schools often follow different calendars, so confirm with the school.
TermBreaks lists calendars by state and district. Start with the United States, or go straight to Georgia, Tennessee, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Texas or New York. The methodology page explains how calendars are sourced.
Plan travel around winter break
Christmas and New Year's are peak travel weeks, so a two-day difference in break dates can change flight prices. If you have children in different districts or are visiting family in another state or country, compare the calendars with holiday overlap. For Thanksgiving, see When is Thanksgiving break 2026?. For the rest of the US school year, see the United States school holidays 2026 guide.
FAQ
When is Christmas break 2026?
In most large US districts, it runs from Monday, December 21, 2026 to Friday, January 1, 2027. New York City and Boston start on Thursday, December 24. Dates vary by district, so check yours.
When does winter break end?
Every listed US district that publishes a return date brings students back on Monday, January 4 or Tuesday, January 5, 2027. Los Angeles Unified's break runs to Friday, January 8, 2027.
How long is Christmas break for school?
Usually about two weeks in the US. It can be much longer in the Southern Hemisphere and in Singapore, where the December break is also the end-of-year holiday.
When do schools close for Christmas 2026 in Ireland?
All primary and post-primary schools in Ireland finish on Tuesday, December 22, 2026 and reopen on Wednesday, January 6, 2027.
Does TermBreaks set these dates?
No. School districts, boards and education ministries set them. TermBreaks is a planning reference that links to each published calendar. Always confirm with your school.
Sources
Checked on October 30, 2026:
- New York City Public Schools 2026–27 calendar
- Los Angeles Unified 2026–27 instructional calendar (PDF)
- Chicago Public Schools calendars
- Clark County School District 2026–27 student calendar (PDF)
- Houston ISD 2026–27 yearly calendar (PDF)
- Dallas ISD 2026–27 traditional calendar (PDF)
- Fairfax County Public Schools calendars
- Atlanta Public Schools 2026–27 student calendar (PDF)
- Metro Nashville Public Schools 2026–27 calendar (PDF)
- Milwaukee Public Schools 2026–27 calendar (PDF)
- Minneapolis Public Schools 2026–27 calendar (PDF)
- Omaha Public Schools 2026–27 calendar (PDF)
- Portland Public Schools 2026–27 calendar (PDF)
- Seattle Public Schools 2026–27 calendar (PDF)
- Boston Public Schools 2026–27 calendar (PDF)
- Miami-Dade County Public Schools 2026–27 elementary and secondary calendar (PDF)
- Toronto District School Board 2026–27 calendar
- Vancouver School Board 2026–27 calendar (PDF)
- Ireland Department of Education Circular 0018/2026
- Singapore MOE academic calendar
- Malaysia Ministry of Education Kalendar Akademik 2026 (PDF)
- NSW Department of Education 2026 term dates