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Winter Break 2026-2027 Dates by State: US School Calendars

Winter break is America's most synchronized school holiday: nearly every district closes for Christmas and New Year, usually from the week before December 25 through the first days of January. It is short — 1 to 2 weeks — which makes exact dates critical for travel plans.

Below are the typical winter break windows for 2026 (into January 2027) and 2027 (into January 2028) across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Last updated: · Next review: June 2027

Dates vary by district. Use the statewide windows below for planning, then confirm with your local school district calendar before booking travel.

Winter break dates by state

Christmas and New Year observance. Districts reopen in the first week of January unless noted.

Winter break dates by state
StateWinter 2026Winter 2027
AlabamaDecember 21, 2026 - January 4, 2027December 20, 2027 - January 3, 2028
AlaskaDecember 21, 2026 - January 4, 2027December 20, 2027 - January 3, 2028
ArizonaDecember 21, 2026 - January 4, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
ArkansasDecember 21, 2026 - January 4, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
CaliforniaDecember 21, 2026 - January 8, 2027December 20, 2027 - January 7, 2028
ColoradoDecember 21, 2026 - January 4, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
ConnecticutDecember 24, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 23, 2027 - December 31, 2027
DelawareDecember 23, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
District of ColumbiaDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
FloridaDecember 21, 2026 - January 4, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
GeorgiaDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
HawaiiDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
IdahoDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
IllinoisDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
IndianaDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
IowaDecember 23, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
KansasDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
KentuckyDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
LouisianaDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
MaineDecember 23, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
MarylandDecember 24, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 23, 2027 - December 31, 2027
MassachusettsDecember 24, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 23, 2027 - December 31, 2027
MichiganDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
MinnesotaDecember 23, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
MississippiDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
MissouriDecember 23, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
MontanaDecember 23, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
NebraskaDecember 23, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
NevadaDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
New HampshireDecember 24, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 23, 2027 - December 31, 2027
New JerseyDecember 24, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 23, 2027 - December 31, 2027
New MexicoDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
New YorkDecember 24, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 23, 2027 - December 31, 2027
North CarolinaDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
North DakotaDecember 23, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
OhioDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
OklahomaDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
OregonDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 23, 2027 - December 31, 2027
PennsylvaniaDecember 24, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 23, 2027 - December 31, 2027
Rhode IslandDecember 24, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 23, 2027 - December 31, 2027
South CarolinaDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
South DakotaDecember 23, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
TennesseeDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
TexasDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
UtahDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
VermontDecember 23, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 23, 2027 - December 31, 2027
VirginiaDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027
WashingtonDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
West VirginiaDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 20, 2027 - December 31, 2027
WisconsinDecember 23, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 23, 2027 - December 31, 2027
WyomingDecember 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027December 22, 2027 - December 31, 2027

Winter break: quick answers

When is winter break in America in 2026?

Winter break 2026 runs roughly from late December 2026 into early January 2027 — most districts close around December 21-24 and reopen January 4-6. Check the table for your state's exact window.

When is winter break in America in 2027?

Winter break 2027 follows the same rhythm: late December 2027 into early January 2028. State-by-state windows are in the table below.

How long is winter break in America?

Winter break is usually 1 to 2 weeks around Christmas and New Year. Most districts take about 10-12 days including weekends; a few extend to a full two school weeks.

Is Christmas Day always during winter break?

Yes — Christmas Day (December 25) and New Year's Day (January 1) always fall inside winter break. Schools close for both federal holidays plus the school days around them.

When should families book Christmas travel?

Book as soon as your district publishes its calendar — winter break flights and accommodation peak between December 23 and January 2. Use the table below to pin your state's window, then confirm with your local district.

Keep planning

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