US School Holidays 2026-2027: Key Dates and What They Mean for UK Travellers

When are US school holidays in 2026-2027? A quick answer

US school holidays in 2026 fall into five main periods: winter break around Christmas and New Year, spring break in March or April, summer break from late May or June through August or September, a Thanksgiving break in late November, and a handful of federal long weekends. Exact dates depend on your destination, since American public schools are run by state and local school districts rather than a single national calendar. This Remitly guide breaks down what UK travellers need to know for 2026.

At a glance

• Winter break: around 21–23 December 2026 to early January 2027
• Spring break: one week, March or April
• Summer break: late May or June to August or September
• Thanksgiving break: around 26 November 2026, usually a four-day weekend
• Federal long weekends: MLK Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day

In the UK, you’re probably more used to the term ‘half-term’ and a calendar that’s fairly consistent nationwide – you can check your own dates on the UK government’s school holiday finder. In the US, however, public schools are regulated differently from state to state and within local school districts. While federal holidays fall around the same days each year nationwide, school breaks are at the school district’s discretion.

For example, New York City public schools typically begin the school year in September, while some districts elsewhere in the US start in late July or early August – the same weekend is a long weekend for one district’s students and still summer for another’s.

Key US school holiday dates for 2026 and 2027: the main breaks explained

Here’s what each of the five main breaks looks like for the 2026–2027 school year, and what it tends to mean if you’re travelling from the UK.

Thanksgiving break 2026

Thanksgiving in the US always falls on the fourth Thursday of November – in 2026, that’s 26 November. Many school districts give students a four-day weekend around it, while some have additional days off or close for much of the week. It’s one of the busiest travel periods of the year in the US, so it’s worth booking well ahead – expect the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Black Friday sales, and some business closures too.

Christmas and New Year break 2026

Christmas break generally begins in the week before Christmas and lasts until around the first week of January, though exact dates vary by district – Seattle starts winter break on 21 December 2026, while New York City’s winter recess begins on 24 December, for example. Check your district to confirm. If you’re heading to New York City over this period, you’ll catch the decorations and the tree at Rockefeller Center, but it’s a peak tourist time, so it’s worth booking accommodation and tickets well ahead.

Spring break 2027

A one-week break that usually falls in March or April, loosely tracking the date of Easter without being defined by it. Seattle Public Schools have their spring break this year from 12 April to 16 April 2027; some districts, including Seattle, also run a separate mid-winter break in February, so it’s worth checking whether your destination has one. Dates like this can land close to the UK’s own spring half-term or Easter holidays, so it’s worth checking both calendars before you book. Because spring break is a popular travel time for families and university students, destinations like Florida or California might be on the pricier side.

Summer holidays 2027

Begins between mid-May and the end of June, and runs until late July or early September – the longest break of the school year, often lasting around two to three months. Some Southern school districts start and finish the school year earlier than districts further north, although calendars vary considerably by district. This is the busiest window for families to travel, particularly to major tourist hubs like Disney and other theme parks or popular beaches, and it overlaps a good deal with the school holidays in England and Wales. Consider travelling in early June or late August to help lower the costs.

Federal holidays and long weekends in 2027

Fixed federal holidays fall on the same date every year – Independence Day is always the fourth of July. Floating holidays fall on the same weekday but not the same date – Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November, and Memorial Day the last Monday of May. Federal holidays apply to federal employees; individual school districts separately decide whether schools close on many of these dates. If one falls on a Friday or Monday, it often becomes a long weekend for students; if you’d rather avoid beach crowds, 4 July 2027 might not be the best time to go.

This list does not include all federal holidays.

How US school holidays compare to UK half-terms in 2026-2027

The UK doesn’t have one universal school holiday calendar either. Dates vary by nation, local area and, in some cases, individual schools, so it’s worth checking your school’s published calendar alongside your destination’s before booking. That makes an exact comparison difficult, but the broad patterns below can help you spot where the two calendars are likely to overlap.

Because exact dates vary by local authority on both sides, check your school’s calendar alongside your destination’s before booking. If you’re weighing up a longer-term move rather than a holiday, our guide on how to move to America from the UK walks through the essentials.

How to find exact school holiday dates for your US destination

The most reliable way to find exact school holiday dates for your destination is to search the relevant school district’s own published calendar, rather than relying on general date ranges. If you’ll need a visa, our US visa guide for UK citizens covers the process.

1. Identify your destination: Decide which city or state you plan to visit. Will it be Orlando, Florida; Los Angeles, California; or Buffalo, New York?
2. Search for the local school district: Look for ‘[City] public school district calendar 2026-2027.’ This will show when the school holiday breaks fall in the area you’ll be visiting.
3. Check the official school calendar: Look for ‘Academic Calendar’ or ‘School Year Calendar.’ You’ll usually find PDFs you can download, such as San Francisco Public Schools’.
4. Consider surrounding schools: In Tennessee, schools in one part of the state start earlier than others. If you’re driving from Chattanooga to Memphis, one city might already be on holiday while the other is still in session.
5. Public vs private: Private schools often run on their own schedule, so check with them directly. The same applies to university spring breaks, which often fall on different weeks from the local public school calendar.

US school holidays 2026-2027: travel tips for UK visitors

A few practical habits can help you get more from your trip, whichever break you’re travelling around.

• Book flights and accommodation early for Thanksgiving week, Christmas/New Year, and peak summer, when domestic demand pushes US flight prices up.
• Consider travelling just outside your destination’s main school holiday periods, while avoiding major federal holiday weekends such as Labor Day.
• Expect longer queues at theme parks and beaches during spring break and summer, especially in Florida and California.
• Check opening hours before you travel, since some businesses reduce hours around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• If you’re budgeting in GBP, a price-tracking tool can help you spot rising fares around federal holiday weekends, so you can decide whether to book or wait.

Once you’ve landed, our guide to US public transport can help you get around, and it’s worth brushing up on US tipping culture beforehand, since it differs from UK norms.

FAQs

Does every state have the same school schedule for the year?

No, states and local districts have varied schedules, with some schools starting their school year in late July and others in early September. Even neighbouring districts can set different break dates, so check your specific destination’s calendar rather than a single nationwide date.

When does Christmas break fall in 2026?

Typically, Christmas break begins sometime around the 23rd of December and runs until the first week of January. Exact dates are set by each school district, so they can shift by a few days either side of this window.

How can I confirm school breaks in a specific state?

The best way to confirm school breaks in a particular area is to check with the local school district. Their calendar will be the most accurate reference for holiday breaks during the school year. Most districts publish this online as an ‘academic calendar’ or ‘school year calendar’ you can download.

Does spring break always happen in March?

Spring break varies each year, with some schools in the US taking one week off in March and others in April. The timing loosely follows Easter in many districts, but it’s set locally rather than tied to a fixed date.

When is Thanksgiving break in 2026?

Thanksgiving falls on 26 November 2026. Many school districts give students a four-day weekend around it, while some have additional days off or close for much of the week. It’s one of the busiest travel periods of the year in the US, so booking flights and accommodation well ahead is worth considering.

Planning your US trip around school holidays in 2026-2027

US school holidays follow a broadly similar pattern each year, even though the exact dates are set locally rather than nationally. Once you know roughly when the main breaks fall, you can choose between the busier, more festive windows or a quieter, often cheaper, time in between.

Key takeaways:

• US school holidays fall into five main windows: winter break, spring break, summer, Thanksgiving, and federal long weekends.
• Exact dates are set by state and local school districts, so always check your specific destination’s calendar.
• Summer holidays overlap significantly with the UK’s, making it the busiest shared travel window.
• Thanksgiving week and the days around federal holidays like Independence Day are worth booking well in advance.

If you’re managing money between the UK and the US while you travel or settle in, Remitly can help. Our guide on how to send money from the UK covers the options simply and transparently.

Last reviewed: September 2026