New York State adds three holidays to public school calendar

New York State public school districts are adding three new holidays to the 2026-2027 academic calendar to better represent the diverse cultures and backgrounds of the state.

The newly recognized holidays include Diwali, observed on Monday, November 9, 2026; Asian Lunar New Year on February 6; and Eid al-Adha on Tuesday, May 17.

While the changes aim for greater cultural representation, some parents have expressed concerns regarding the impact on childcare availability, particularly as these dates may fall near existing breaks like Martin Luther King Jr. Day.