Berkeley Unified School District School Calendar
Berkeley, California
📅 When does school start back?
🦃 After Thanksgiving Break: Classes resume on November 30, 2026. Always double-check with Berkeley Unified School District for any last-minute changes.
❄️ After Winter Break: Classes resume on January 4, 2027. Always double-check with Berkeley Unified School District for any last-minute changes.
🌸 After Spring Break: Classes resume on April 5, 2027. Always double-check with Berkeley Unified School District for any last-minute changes.
After this: Winter Break in 38 days → see the date
37% of the school year has passed.
About Berkeley Unified School District
Berkeley Unified serves the East Bay. The 2026–2027 year runs from Aug 12 to June 3. It's a great place to raise a family, and BUSD has some unique local holidays—like observing Malcolm X's Birthday in May and Juneteenth in June. Keep an eye out for the designated shortened days for parent conferences!
At a Glance
| First Day of School | August 12, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Last Day of School | June 3, 2027 |
| Total School Days | 180 Days |
| Teacher and staff days (no school for students) | 9 days (Aug 6-7, Aug 10-11, Aug 21, Oct 16, Oct 30, Jan 25, Mar 26) |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027 |
| Spring Break | March 29 – April 2, 2027 |
Berkeley Unified School District School Holidays 2026-2027
These are official dates published by the district. Always confirm with your specific school for any exceptions.
| Holiday / Break | Dates |
|---|---|
| Thanksgiving Break | November 23–27, 2026 |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 18, 2027 |
| Spring Break | March 29 – April 2, 2027 |
| Memorial Day | May 31, 2027 |
| Christmas Break | December 21, 2026 – January 1, 2027 |
A quick note for families
📌 Good to know
BUSD has several "Shortened Days" for parent conferences and staff development (Oct 26-29, Mar 26). Also, note that Malcolm X's Birthday (May 19) and Juneteenth (Jun 18) are observed as district holidays.
🦃 Thanksgiving Break
Break runs Nov 23–27. We usually stay local for this one. If the weather is nice, taking the kids to hike at Tilden Regional Park is a lifesaver to burn off turkey energy. It’s a full week off, so we just try to relax before the big push to winter break.
❄️ Winter Break
Dec 21 to Jan 1. It gets chilly, so a lot of parents head to the Lawrence Hall of Science to let the kids run wild indoors. Keep an eye on the calendar—kids are off through New Year's, but plan your childcare early because the break can feel long!
🌸 Spring Break
March 29 to April 2. Weather is finally perfect. A lot of families drive to the coast or hit the Berkeley Marina. If you stay in town, the UC Botanical Garden is gorgeous right now. Fair warning: the calendar also has a shortened day on March 26 for staff development right before the break!
🍂 Fall Break
No real fall break here, but we get Labor Day (Sept 7), Veterans Day (Nov 11), and an Indigenous Peoples Day holiday (Oct 12). A lot of local families use these long weekends to go apple picking or just enjoy the cooler Bay Area weather.
☀️ Summer Break
Starts June 3. It’s long and beautiful in the Bay Area. We survive by hitting the local pools, the Berkeley Public Library summer reading program, and getting way too many scoops at Fentons Creamery. Parents are definitely counting down the days by August!
🕊️ Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Jan 18. A day off to reflect. It’s a great day to talk to the kids about history and community. The following week (Jan 25) is a Teacher Workday, so plan ahead for that Monday off!
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Berkeley Unified School District start school in 2026?
The first day is August 12, 2026.
When is Thanksgiving break for Berkeley Unified School District in 2026?
Thanksgiving break is November 23–27, 2026. Classes resume on November 30, 2026.
When is spring break for Berkeley Unified School District in 2027?
Spring break is scheduled for March 29 – April 2, 2027. Classes resume April 5, 2027.
When is the last day of school for Berkeley Unified School District?
The last day for students is June 3, 2027.
How many instructional days are there?
California state law requires a minimum of 180 instructional days. Check the official district calendar for specific make-up day schedules.
Other California districts to check
These districts are also in California. Their calendars may be different.
Related planning guides
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State Calendar
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Spring Break 2027
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First Day of School 2026
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Official Sources
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Official district PDF and verification notes
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Dates checked against the official Berkeley Unified School District calendar. Last checked: October 31, 2026. Checked by MySchoolBreaks.
How I check these dates: I enter them by hand from the district's published 2026-27 calendar and compare them against its PDF. If the district updates its calendar, I update this page. Spotted a mistake? Report it and I'll check it.
Official source tracker
How to verify Berkeley Unified School District dates
These dates come from the official Berkeley Unified School District calendar, typed in by hand. Check the district's website for the latest before you make travel plans.
Draft 2026-2027 TK-12 Calendar
I update this page when I learn of a calendar change.
Also check other districts
Sources: Berkeley Unified School District 2026–2027 calendar (Draft 2026-2027 TK-12 Calendar); official website. Checked by MySchoolBreaks.