The Hillsborough County School Calendar is now available for two full academic years, giving families a clear view of every important date. From the first day of class to the last, you will find Fall Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break laid out in advance. Board-approved by Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS), this guide covers everything from Labor Day and Veterans Day to MLK Day, Presidents Day, Florida State Fair, and Strawberry Festival. Keep reading for the full schedule and printable PDF download links at the end.
Hillsborough County School Calendar Overview
The Hillsborough County School Calendar for the upcoming years has been officially approved by the School Board. The 2026-2027 calendar was approved on June 17, 2025, with a minor update to the Strawberry Festival date. The 2027-2028 calendar was approved on July 14, 2026.
These calendars give parents, students, and teachers a reliable roadmap for the school year. You will find grading period end dates, semester breaks, and all scheduled non-student days. One helpful detail: students are released early every Monday during the 2026-2027 year, and the last day of school is a 2.5-hour early release.
Hillsborough County School Calendar 2026-2027: Key Dates
Here are the Hillsborough County School Calendar dates for the 2026-2027 academic year. All dates come directly from the official HCPS calendar.
First Day of Class
Students return to school on Monday, August 10, 2026.
Last Day of Class
The school year closes on Friday, May 28, 2027, which is also the end of the 4th grading period and 2nd semester.
Fall Break
Fall Break runs from Monday, November 23 through Friday, November 27, 2026. Students return to school on Monday, November 30.
Winter break
Winter Break begins Monday, December 21, 2026, and lasts through Friday, January 1, 2027. There is a non-student day on Monday, January 4, and students return on Tuesday, January 5, 2027.
Spring Break
Spring Break is scheduled for Monday, March 22 through Friday, March 26, 2027. A non-student day follows on Monday, March 29, with students returning Tuesday, March 30.
Key Dates
| Event | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| First Day of Class | August 10, 2026 | — |
| Labor Day / Non-Student Day | September 7, 2026 | — |
| End of 1st Grading Period | October 9, 2026 | — |
| Non-Student Day | October 12, 2026 | — |
| Veterans Day / Non-Student Day | November 11, 2026 | — |
| Fall Break | November 23, 2026 | November 27, 2026 |
| Students Return | November 30, 2026 | — |
| End of 2nd Grading Period / 1st Semester | December 18, 2026 | — |
| Winter Break | December 21, 2026 | January 1, 2027 |
| Non-Student Day | January 4, 2027 | — |
| Students Return | January 5, 2027 | — |
| MLK Day / Non-Student Day | January 18, 2027 | — |
| Florida State Fair / Non-Student Day | February 12, 2027 | — |
| Presidents Day / Non-Student Day | February 15, 2027 | — |
| Strawberry Festival / Non-Student Day | March 8, 2027 | — |
| End of 3rd Grading Period | March 12, 2027 | — |
| Spring Break | March 22, 2027 | March 26, 2027 |
| Non-Student Day | March 29, 2027 | — |
| Students Return | March 30, 2027 | — |
| Non-Student Day | April 16, 2027 | — |
| Last Day of Class | May 28, 2027 | — |
Hillsborough County School Holidays 2026-2027
The Hillsborough County School Holidays include a mix of federal holidays and local observances. Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7, 2026. Veterans Day is observed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, January 18, 2027. Presidents’ Day is Monday, February 15, 2027.
Two unique local holidays stand out. The Florida State Fair non-student day is Friday, February 12, 2027. The Strawberry Festival non-student day is Monday, March 8, 2027. Note that the Strawberry Festival date was adjusted to align with the actual festival schedule.
School Holidays
| Holiday / Observance | Date |
|---|---|
| Labor Day | September 7, 2026 |
| Veterans Day | November 11, 2026 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 18, 2027 |
| Florida State Fair Day | February 12, 2027 |
| Presidents Day | February 15, 2027 |
| Strawberry Festival Day | March 8, 2027 |
Hillsborough County School Calendar 2026-2027 Preview
The 2026-2027 Hillsborough County Public Schools Calendar is a well-balanced year. It starts in mid-August and ends just before June, with breaks spaced thoughtfully throughout. The fall semester runs from August to December, with Fall Break in late November. The spring semester includes Winter Break, Spring Break, and several single non-student days that give students short breathers.
Source: https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/documents/students-%26-families/student-academic-calendar/833393
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Hillsborough County School Calendar 2027-2028: Key Dates
The Hillsborough County School Calendar for the 2027-2028 school year follows a similar structure but with some date shifts.
First Day of Class
Students begin on Tuesday, August 10, 2027.
Last Day of Class
The final day is Friday, May 26, 2028.
Fall Break
Fall Break runs Monday, November 22 through Friday, November 26, 2027. Students return Monday, November 29.
Winter break
Winter Break is Monday, December 20 through Friday, December 31, 2027. A non-student day follows on Monday, January 3, 2028, with students returning Tuesday, January 4.
Spring Break
Spring Break is scheduled for Monday, March 13 through Friday, March 17, 2028. A non-student day follows on Monday, March 20, and students return Tuesday, March 21.
Key Dates
| Event | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| First Day of Class | August 10, 2027 | — |
| Regular Student Day / No Early Release | August 16, 2027 | — |
| Labor Day / Non-Student Day | September 6, 2027 | — |
| End of 1st Grading Period | October 8, 2027 | — |
| Veterans Day / Non-Student Day | November 11, 2027 | — |
| Fall Break | November 22, 2027 | November 26, 2027 |
| Students Return | November 29, 2027 | — |
| End of 2nd Grading Period / 1st Semester | December 17, 2027 | — |
| Winter Break | December 20, 2027 | December 31, 2027 |
| Non-Student Day | January 3, 2028 | — |
| Students Return | January 4, 2028 | — |
| MLK Day / Non-Student Day | January 17, 2028 | — |
| Florida State Fair / Non-Student Day | February 18, 2028 | — |
| Presidents Day / Non-Student Day | February 21, 2028 | — |
| Strawberry Festival / Non-Student Day | March 6, 2028 | — |
| End of 3rd Grading Period | March 10, 2028 | — |
| Spring Break | March 13, 2028 | March 17, 2028 |
| Non-Student Day | March 20, 2028 | — |
| Students Return | March 21, 2028 | — |
| Non-Student Day | April 14, 2028 | — |
| Last Day of Class | May 26, 2028 | — |
Hillsborough County School Calendar 2027-2028 Preview
The 2027-2028 calendar starts on a Tuesday and ends on a Friday, giving families full weekends on both ends. One notable change: August 16, 2027, is a regular student day with no early release, unlike the usual Monday early release pattern in the prior year. The early release schedule for the rest of the year has not been finalized.
Source: https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/documents/students-%26-families/student-academic-calendar/833393
Non-Student Days & Early Release Schedule
Students are released early every Monday during the 2026-2027 school year. The exact early release time is not listed on the official calendar, but families should plan for a shorter Monday schedule. The last day of school on May 28, 2027, is a 2.5-hour early release.
For 2027-2028, the student early release day schedule has not been finalized. August 16, 2027, will be a regular student day.
Grading Periods & Semester End Dates
The 2026-2027 school year is divided into four grading periods across two semesters. The 1st grading period ends October 9, 2026. The 2nd grading period and 1st semester end December 18, 2026. The 3rd grading period ends March 12, 2027. The 4th grading period and 2nd semester end May 28, 2027.
For 2027-2028, the 1st grading period ends October 8, 2027. The 1st semester ends December 17, 2027. The 3rd grading period ends March 10, 2028. The school year and 2nd semester end May 26, 2028.
Hillsborough County School Calendar PDF Download
The official Hillsborough County School Calendar printable PDFs are the best resource for printing and keeping on your fridge. Here are the direct links:
Calendar Download & Resources
For the most up-to-date information, always check the official Hillsborough County Public Schools website. The district occasionally updates calendars if dates change, as happened with the Strawberry Festival day. Bookmark the official calendar page so you always have the latest version.
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About Hillsborough County School Calendar
The Hillsborough County School Calendar is set by the Hillsborough County Public Schools district, which serves families across Tampa and surrounding communities. The calendar is approved by the School Board and covers all traditional public schools in the district. Charter and private schools may follow different schedules, so always confirm with your individual school.
Official Website: Hillsborough County School Calendar
Frequently Asked Questions
The first day of class is August 10 for both upcoming school years.
Fall Break runs November 23-27 for the first year and November 22-26 for the second year.
Spring Break is March 22-26 for the first year and March 13-17 for the second year.
Yes, the Strawberry Festival is a scheduled non-student day.
Use the direct PDF links in the download section above, or visit the official Hillsborough County Public Schools website.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Hillsborough County School Calendar Dates are based on board-approved calendars from Hillsborough County Public Schools. Always verify with the official district website for the latest updates and changes.
Read More: Florida School Calendar