Thanksgiving and winter break 2026: Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa school dates
Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa county public schools all close for Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, and for the full week of Thanksgiving, Nov. 23-27. Winter break starts Monday, Dec. 21, in all three districts, but students go back on different days: Santa Rosa on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027, Walton on Wednesday, Jan. 6, and Okaloosa on Thursday, Jan. 7.
The dates come from each district’s approved 2026-27 calendar, checked Nov. 2, 2026. Bay District Schools still labels its 2026-27 student calendar a draft, so its dates are not listed here.
| District | Break starts | Students return |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa | Mon, Dec 21 | Tue, Jan 5 |
| Walton | Mon, Dec 21 | Wed, Jan 6 |
| Okaloosa | Mon, Dec 21 | Thu, Jan 7 |
When is Thanksgiving break 2026 on the Emerald Coast?
All three districts with a final calendar close Monday, Nov. 23, through Friday, Nov. 27, 2026. Students return Monday, Nov. 30.
| District | Thanksgiving break | Back in class |
|---|---|---|
| Okaloosa County School District | Nov 23-27 | Mon, Nov 30 |
| Walton County School District | Nov 23-27 | Mon, Nov 30 |
| Santa Rosa County District Schools | Nov 23-27 | Mon, Nov 30 |
Sources: Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa 2026-27 calendars.
Is there school on Election Day, Nov. 3?
Yes. The Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa 2026-27 calendars do not list Tuesday, Nov. 3, as a day off, so schools hold classes on Election Day.
Is there school on Veterans Day?
No. Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa schools are closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, for Veterans Day. That makes Nov. 11 a midweek day off, two weeks before Thanksgiving week.
When is winter break 2026-27?
| District | Last school day | Break for students | Students return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Okaloosa | Fri, Dec 18 | Dec 21 to Jan 6 (Jan 5 teacher workday, Jan 6 professional learning day) | Thu, Jan 7 |
| Walton | Fri, Dec 18 | Dec 21 to Jan 5 (Jan 4-5 teacher work days) | Wed, Jan 6 |
| Santa Rosa | Fri, Dec 18 (early release) | Dec 21 to Jan 4 (Jan 4 teacher planning day) | Tue, Jan 5 |
Sources: district 2026-27 calendars.
Santa Rosa sends all students home early on Friday, Dec. 18, during semester exams for middle and high schools, per its calendar. Okaloosa’s 2026-27 calendar has no early release days.
Why do the return dates differ?
Each school board approves its own calendar, and each adds teacher workdays or planning days after New Year’s Day before students return. Okaloosa adds two days (a teacher workday Jan. 5 and a professional learning day Jan. 6), Walton adds two teacher work days (Jan. 4-5) and Santa Rosa adds one planning day (Jan. 4).
For parents who work in one county and live in another, the gap matters: a Santa Rosa student is back in class two days before an Okaloosa student.
What about Bay County?
When we last checked, on Nov. 2, 2026, Bay District Schools’ academic calendar page still labeled its 2026-27 student calendar “DRAFT.” This newsroom publishes only calendars a district has marked final. Bay families should check the district’s page and their school.
What are the next days off after winter break?
| Date | Okaloosa | Walton | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Jan 18, 2027 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) | Off | Off | Off |
| Mon, Feb 15, 2027 (Presidents’ Day) | Off | Off | Off |
| Spring break 2027 | Mar 15-19 | Mar 22-26 | Mar 22-26 |
Sources: district 2026-27 calendars.
Santa Rosa’s calendar also marks Monday, March 15, 2027, as a teacher planning day that becomes a storm make-up day if needed, and Wednesday, May 26, 2027, as a second storm make-up day.
Where do I check for changes?
Storm closings and calendar changes come from each district through its website and official channels. Okaloosa uses its Rooms messaging app, Walton posts under its Inclement Weather Plan and Santa Rosa sends email updates. The full 2026-27 calendars are on each district’s website.
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Questions and answers
- When is Thanksgiving break 2026 for Okaloosa County schools?
- Monday, Nov. 23, through Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, per the Okaloosa County School District's 2026-27 calendar. Walton and Santa Rosa have the same dates.
- When do Okaloosa County students go back after winter break?
- Thursday, Jan. 7, 2027. The break starts Dec. 21; Jan. 5 is a teacher workday and Jan. 6 a professional learning day.
- When does Santa Rosa County go back to school in January 2027?
- Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027, after a teacher planning day on Jan. 4, per Santa Rosa County District Schools' 2026-27 calendar.
- Is there school on Veterans Day 2026 on the Emerald Coast?
- No. Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa public schools are closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. Bay's 2026-27 calendar is still posted as a draft.