Thanksgiving and Winter Break 2026: Rutherford County and City Schools

Rutherford County Schools and Murfreesboro City Schools are both out for Thanksgiving the week of Nov. 23, 2026, and for winter break Dec. 21 through Jan. 1. Students in both districts return Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027.

Students in Rutherford County Schools and Murfreesboro City Schools are out the full week of Thanksgiving, Nov. 23–27, 2026, and for winter break from Monday, Dec. 21, through Friday, Jan. 1, 2027. In both districts, students return Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027, after a Jan. 4 day set aside for staff.

Before that, both districts give students Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, off. Here are the remaining fall and winter dates from each district's 2026-27 academic calendar.

Is there school on Election Day, Nov. 3?

No, not for students in either district.

• Rutherford County Schools: Tuesday, Nov. 3 is a teacher admin day and Election Day, with no school for students.
• Murfreesboro City Schools: Tuesday, Nov. 3 is Election Day and a parent/teacher conference day, a day out for students. The city district's calendar also lists Nov. 3 as a report card day, handled at parent/teacher conferences.

Many schools serve as polling places. OnlyInMurfreesboro's Election Day vote centers guide lists where to vote.

Is Veterans Day a day off?

Neither district's calendar lists Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, as a day off. It is not marked as a holiday or a no-school day on either 2026-27 calendar.

When is Thanksgiving break 2026?

• Rutherford County Schools: Monday, Nov. 23 through Friday, Nov. 27. The calendar lists the whole week as Thanksgiving Break, with schools closed.
• Murfreesboro City Schools: Monday, Nov. 23 through Wednesday, Nov. 25 are Thanksgiving Break days out for school-based personnel, which includes students. Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27 are days out for all.

For families in either district, that means no school for students all of Thanksgiving week. For holiday plans, see the Thanksgiving in Murfreesboro guide.

Is Dec. 18 a half day?

Yes, in both districts, though the length differs.

• Rutherford County Schools: Friday, Dec. 18 is an abbreviated day for students and teachers, two hours long. It is also the end of the second nine weeks.
• Murfreesboro City Schools: Friday, Dec. 18 is Student Half Day #2, lasting 3 hours and 30 minutes.

When is winter break 2026-27?

Both districts list winter break from Monday, Dec. 21, 2026, through Friday, Jan. 1, 2027. Murfreesboro City Schools marks those as days out for school-based personnel.

When do students go back to school in January 2027?

• Rutherford County Schools: Monday, Jan. 4 is an in-service and safety day with no school for students. Students return from winter break Tuesday, Jan. 5. Second nine weeks report cards follow on Friday, Jan. 8.
• Murfreesboro City Schools: Monday, Jan. 4 is a school-based in-service day, a day out for students. Students return Tuesday, Jan. 5. The city calendar lists Wednesday, Jan. 6 as a report card day.

Both districts are then closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 18, 2027.

Other Rutherford County Schools dates this fall

Rutherford County Schools lists progress reports Wednesday, Nov. 4 through Friday, Nov. 6. Earlier in the semester, both districts took fall break Oct. 5–9.

For an overview of public, private and charter options, see the Murfreesboro schools guide. Families planning December outings can browse Christmas events in Murfreesboro.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there school the week of Thanksgiving 2026 in Rutherford County?

No. Rutherford County Schools are closed Monday, Nov. 23 through Friday, Nov. 27, 2026.

Is Murfreesboro City Schools out all Thanksgiving week?

Yes, for students. Nov. 23–25 are days out for school-based personnel, and Nov. 26–27 are days out for all.

When does winter break start for Rutherford County Schools?

Winter break runs Monday, Dec. 21, 2026, through Friday, Jan. 1, 2027. The last day before break, Friday, Dec. 18, is a two-hour day.

What day do students go back after Christmas break?

Students in both Rutherford County Schools and Murfreesboro City Schools return Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027. Monday, Jan. 4 is a staff day in both districts, with no school for students.

Is Veterans Day a school holiday in Murfreesboro?

No. Neither the Rutherford County Schools nor the Murfreesboro City Schools 2026-27 calendar lists Wednesday, Nov. 11 as a day off.

Is there school on Nov. 3, 2026?

No. Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, is a no-school day for students in both districts.

Sources: Rutherford County Schools: RCS Academic Calendars (2026-2027 Academic Calendar, revised June 3, 2026), Murfreesboro City Schools: 2026-27 Academic Calendar.

*Illustration: AI-generated image; not an actual Murfreesboro location.*