Winter break

When is winter break?

Winter break is the longest break of the school year after summer vacation. It usually lasts about two weeks and covers Christmas Day and New Year's Day. In most districts it starts on the weekend before Christmas and ends shortly after New Year's, so students go back in the first week of January. The exact dates depend on the district and on which days of the week the holidays fall.

Differences between districts

Some districts start winter break earlier in December, others return a few days later in January, for example with a teacher workday before classes resume. In many districts, the end of the first semester and exams fall before or just after the break. The table above shows the dates for your district.

Colleges and universities usually have a longer winter break, often around a month between the fall and spring semesters.

Tips for winter break

The days before Christmas and around New Year's are some of the busiest travel days of the year, and winter weather can cause delays. Book early and leave extra time. If you need childcare, many community centers and YMCAs offer winter break camps on the days when schools are closed but offices are open.