Planning your family schedule around Texas School Holidays for the 2026-2027 academic year? You have come to the right place. Texas is home to over 1,200 school districts, each with its own approved calendar. However, most Texas public schools follow a similar holiday pattern set by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
In this complete guide, we cover all major Texas school holidays, breaks, and important dates for the 2026-2027 school year — including STAAR testing windows, Good Friday, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break.
Note: Texas school districts set their own calendars independently. Always verify dates with your specific district’s official website before making travel or childcare plans.
Texas School Year 2026-2027 Key Dates
| Event | Typical Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First Day of School | August 10–17, 2026 | Varies by district |
| Labor Day — No School | September 7, 2026 | Statewide |
| Thanksgiving Break | November 23–27, 2026 | Full week most districts |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 – January 4, 2027 | ~2 weeks |
| MLK Jr. Day — No School | January 18, 2027 | Statewide |
| Spring Break | March 8–19, 2027 | Varies by district |
| Good Friday — No School | March 26, 2027 | Most Texas districts |
| Memorial Day — No School | May 31, 2027 | Statewide |
| Last Day of School | May 14–28, 2027 | Varies by district |
Texas School Holidays — Detailed Guide
1. First Day of School 2026
Most Texas public schools start between August 10 and August 17, 2026. Unlike many other states, Texas does not have a single statewide start date. Each of the 1,200+ school districts sets its own calendar.
Some of the earliest-starting Texas districts in 2026-2027 include:
- Frisco ISD — August 12, 2026
- Klein ISD — August 12, 2026
- North East ISD (San Antonio) — August 17, 2026
- Albany ISD — August 13, 2026
Want to find your specific district’s first day? Check our individual district calendar pages linked below.
2. Labor Day — September 7, 2026
Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7, 2026. All Texas public schools are closed on this federal holiday. Students and teachers enjoy a long weekend, though no additional days are typically added around it.
3. Thanksgiving Break 2026
Thanksgiving Break in Texas typically runs from Monday, November 23 through Friday, November 27, 2026 — a full five-day week off. This is consistent across most Texas school districts.
Some districts may add Wednesday, November 25 as a teacher workday (with students not attending), effectively making the break run from Tuesday through Friday. Always check your district’s official calendar for exact dates.
4. Winter Break 2026-2027
Winter Break is one of the longest breaks of the Texas school year. Most districts observe:
- Start: December 21, 2026 (Monday)
- End: January 1, 2027 (Friday)
- School Resumes: January 5, 2027 (Tuesday)
This gives students approximately two full weeks of winter vacation. Some districts may extend the break by one or two additional days depending on their approved calendar.
5. MLK Jr. Day — January 18, 2027
Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Monday, January 18, 2027. All Texas public schools are closed. This is a federal holiday observed statewide across all districts.
6. Spring Break 2027
Spring Break is the most anticipated break of the second semester. In Texas, Spring Break dates vary significantly by district:
| District | Spring Break 2027 |
|---|---|
| Frisco ISD | March 8–12, 2027 |
| Klein ISD | March 15–19, 2027 |
| North East ISD | March 8–12, 2027 |
| Albany ISD | March 15–19, 2027 |
| Most Texas Districts | March 15–19, 2027 |
7. Good Friday — March 26, 2027
Good Friday is observed as an official school holiday across most Texas school districts. This falls on Friday, March 26, 2027. Texas is one of the few states in the US where Good Friday is widely recognized as a school holiday — a long-standing tradition in the state.
8. Memorial Day — May 31, 2027
Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 31, 2027. Most Texas schools will have already ended by this date, as the last day of school for most districts falls between May 14 and May 28, 2027.
9. Last Day of School 2027
The last day of school varies by district in Texas:
- Frisco ISD — May 14, 2027 (earliest — due to PGA Championship in Frisco)
- Klein ISD — May 28, 2027
- North East ISD — May 27, 2027
- Albany ISD — May 28, 2027
STAAR Testing Dates 2026-2027 Texas
STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) is Texas’s statewide standardized testing program administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). These are not holidays — schools are open — but they are important dates every Texas family should know.
| Test | Testing Window | Grades/Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| STAAR EOC (End of Course) | November 30 – December 11, 2026 | Algebra I, English I & II, Biology, U.S. History |
| STAAR Grades 3–8 | April 2027 | Math, Reading, Science |
| STAAR EOC Spring | May 2027 | High School End of Course |
Important: STAAR testing windows are set by TEA, but individual districts choose exact test days within those windows. Check with your child’s school for specific STAAR dates.
What Makes Texas School Holidays Unique?
Good Friday is an Official Holiday
Texas is one of very few US states where Good Friday is widely observed as a school holiday. Most Texas school districts close on Good Friday, which falls on March 26, 2027. This is a unique Texas tradition not found in most other states.
Six Weeks Grading System
Unlike most US states that use quarters or semesters, Texas school districts typically use a “Six Weeks” grading system — dividing the academic year into six reporting periods. This means report cards and grades are issued six times per year instead of four.
District of Innovation Flexibility
Many Texas districts operate as “Districts of Innovation” — meaning they have flexibility to set unique calendars, extend school hours, or adjust holiday schedules beyond standard TEA requirements. This is why you see significant variation across Texas districts.
175 vs 180 Instructional Days
Texas requires a minimum of 75,600 instructional minutes per year. Most districts achieve this through 180 school days, but some districts (like North East ISD for 2026-27) have moved to 175 days by adding extra minutes per day.
Texas School District Calendars — Find Your District
Every Texas school district has its own approved calendar. Here are the individual district calendar pages for the most popular Texas districts on our site:
- Frisco ISD School Calendar 2026-2027
- Klein ISD School Calendar 2026-2027
- North East ISD School Calendar 2026-2027
- Albany ISD School Calendar 2026-2027
Don’t see your district? Use our School District Calendar search to find any Texas school district’s calendar.
Tips For Planning Around Texas School Holidays
- Book travel early: Spring Break (March 2027) and Winter Break (December 2026) are peak travel periods. Book flights and hotels at least 3–4 months in advance.
- Check your district’s specific dates: Texas district calendars vary significantly. Always verify with your school’s official website.
- Plan for STAAR prep time: April 2027 STAAR testing means students may need extra study time in March. Plan family activities before or after testing windows.
- Good Friday travel: Since Good Friday (March 26, 2027) is a school holiday in most Texas districts, many families plan short weekend trips around this long weekend.
- Weather makeup days: Most Texas districts build in makeup days for weather closures. These may add days at the end of the year or use pre-planned makeup days.
Frequently Asked Questions — Texas School Holidays 2026-2027
When does school start in Texas in 2026?
Most Texas public schools start between August 10 and August 17, 2026. The exact first day varies by district. There is no single statewide start date in Texas.
When is Spring Break 2027 in Texas?
Spring Break 2027 in Texas falls between March 8 and March 19, 2027, depending on the district. Most Texas school districts observe Spring Break the week of March 15–19, 2027.
Is Good Friday a school holiday in Texas?
Yes. Good Friday (March 26, 2027) is observed as a school holiday in most Texas public school districts. This is a unique Texas tradition and one of the few states in the US where Good Friday is a widespread school holiday.
When is Winter Break 2026-2027 in Texas?
Winter Break in Texas typically runs from December 21, 2026 through January 1, 2027, with school resuming on January 5, 2027. This gives students approximately two weeks off.
When does school end in Texas in 2027?
The last day of school in Texas for 2026-2027 ranges from May 14, 2027 (Frisco ISD) to May 28, 2027 for most districts. Check your specific district’s calendar for the exact last day.
What is STAAR testing in Texas?
STAAR stands for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. It is Texas’s statewide standardized testing program. STAAR tests are administered in November–December 2026 (EOC exams) and April 2027 (Grades 3–8). These are not holidays — schools remain open during testing.
Disclaimer: We are an independent informational website. The dates on this page are based on typical Texas school district patterns and publicly available district calendars. Always verify exact dates with your school district’s official website before making plans. School calendars can change due to weather events, board decisions, or other unforeseen circumstances.