02 Nov NYC School Closures in November 2026: Important Dates Parents Need to Know

November is a busy month for NYC families, with remote learning, school closures, parent-teacher conferences and Thanksgiving break all coming up.

If you’re arranging childcare, planning family activities or simply trying to stay organised, here are the important November 2026 school dates to add to your calendar.

NYC Public School Calendar: November 2026
Tuesday, November 3 – Election Day: Remote learning for all students
Thursday, November 5 – Elementary school parent-teacher conferences: Early dismissal
Wednesday, November 11 – Veterans Day: Schools closed
Thursday, November 12 – Middle school and District 75 parent-teacher conferences: Early dismissal
Thursday, November 19 – Evening parent-teacher conferences for high schools, K–12 and 6–12 schools
Friday, November 20 – High school, K–12 and 6–12 parent-teacher conferences: Early dismissal
Thursday, November 26 – Thanksgiving Day: Schools closed
Friday, November 27 – Thanksgiving Recess: Schools closed

Election Day: Tuesday, November 3
NYC public school students will learn remotely on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Although students will not attend classes in person, this is still an instructional day, so families should be prepared for remote learning.

Parents should check communications from their child’s school for instructions, schedules and any information needed to access online lessons.

If you’re working from home, it’s worth planning ahead to make sure younger children have the support they need throughout the school day.

Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11
All NYC public schools will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

With children having a midweek break, this is a good opportunity to enjoy one of NYC’s many family-friendly attractions.

Ideas include:
Visiting a children’s museum or interactive exhibition.
Exploring a local park or playground.
Taking advantage of free museum admission opportunities.
Visiting a library for children’s books and activities.
Enjoying an afternoon of ice skating at one of NYC’s seasonal rinks.
Check opening hours and admission arrangements before visiting, as some venues may operate different schedules on public holidays.

Parent-Teacher Conferences and Early Dismissals
November also brings several parent-teacher conference dates, with some students finishing school three hours earlier than usual.

Thursday, November 5: Elementary school students have an early dismissal for afternoon and evening parent-teacher conferences.
Thursday, November 12: Middle school and District 75 students have an early dismissal.
Thursday, November 19: Evening parent-teacher conferences take place for high schools, K–12 and 6–12 schools.
Friday, November 20: Students attending high schools, K–12 and 6–12 schools are dismissed three hours early for afternoon conferences.

Parents should check directly with their child’s school to confirm dismissal arrangements, as individual conference schedules may vary.

Thanksgiving School Break: November 26–27
NYC public schools will be closed on Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27, for Thanksgiving Recess.

Combined with the weekend, this gives families a four-day break from Thursday, November 26, through Sunday, November 29.

It’s a wonderful time to enjoy some of New York City’s festive attractions as the holiday season gets underway.

Family activities to consider include:
Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Exploring NYC’s holiday markets.
Visiting an outdoor ice-skating rink.
Enjoying seasonal light displays.
Planning a family museum visit.
Taking a winter walk through your local park
Popular holiday activities can become particularly busy over Thanksgiving weekend, so booking ahead is recommended where reservations are required.

When Is the Next NYC School Holiday?
Following Thanksgiving, the next scheduled NYC public school holiday break is Winter Recess.

Schools will be closed from Thursday, December 24, 2026, through Friday, January 1, 2027.

Classes are scheduled to resume on Monday, January 4, 2027.

Important Information for NYC Parents
These dates apply to New York City Public Schools, including students from 3-K through Grade 12.

Private schools, charter schools, parochial schools and some early childhood programmes may follow different calendars.

Parents should always confirm dates and dismissal times with their child’s school.

For the complete and most up-to-date schedule, visit the official NYC Public Schools calendar.

Keep checking New York Loves Kids for family-friendly events, activities and things to do across New York City throughout November and the holiday season. Sign up to our mailing list to discover more fun too.