September 2, 2025

NYC Public Schools to Recognize Diwali, Lunar New Year, and Eid

News Summary

New York City has announced that its public school calendar will now include holidays for Diwali, Lunar New Year, and Eid al-Adha. This decision marks a significant commitment to cultural diversity, allowing students from various backgrounds to celebrate important traditions with their families. The integration of these holidays is the result of community advocacy efforts, reflecting the city’s dedication to inclusivity within its educational system. The school year will commence with an emphasis on recognizing the cultural richness of its student body, comprising over one million students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

New York City has officially announced that the academic calendar for the 2025-26 school year will include holidays for Diwali, Lunar New Year, and Eid al-Adha. This significant decision marks the first time these three major cultural holidays will be recognized together within the city’s public school system.

The inclusion of these holidays comes in response to the cultural diversity of New York City’s student body, which consists of over one million students who collectively speak around 180 different languages. By acknowledging Diwali, celebrated by Hindus, Eid al-Adha, observed by Muslims, and the Lunar New Year, honored primarily by Asian American communities, the city aims to create a more inclusive environment for all students. This decision is the culmination of longstanding efforts by community advocates who have pushed for greater representation of diverse traditions within the school calendar.

Diwali was first recognized in the NYC public school calendar in 2023, while many schools have previously acknowledged Eid holidays. With the addition of these holidays, students will have the opportunity to celebrate important cultural and religious events with their families without the conflict of school attendance.

The NYC public school calendar for the 2025-26 year will commence on Thursday, September 4, 2025. The academic year includes several other recognized holidays, which provide students with time off for various religious observances. Key dates in the calendar include:

Rosh Hashanah (September 23-24, schools closed)
Yom Kippur (October 2, schools closed)
Italian Heritage/Indigenous Peoples Day (October 13, schools closed)
Diwali (October 20, schools closed)
Election Day (November 4, students do not attend school)
Veterans Day (November 11, schools closed)
Thanksgiving Recess (November 27-28, schools closed)
Winter Recess (December 24 – January 2, schools closed)
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 19, schools closed)
Midwinter Recess (February 16-20, schools closed)
Eid al-Fitr (March 20, schools closed)
Spring Recess (April 2-10, schools closed)
Memorial Day (May 25, schools closed)
Eid al-Adha (May 27, schools closed)
Anniversary Day/Chancellor’s Day (June 4, students do not attend)
Clerical Day (June 5, students in specific programs do not attend)
Juneteenth (June 19, schools closed)
Last day of school is Friday, June 26, 2026

Notably, the calendar does not include designated snow days. Instead, in the event of severe weather leading to school closures, remote learning will be implemented. This approach aims to maintain educational continuity, regardless of weather-related challenges.

NYC public schools also provide free meals to all students, including breakfast, lunch, and after-school snacks. Parents are reminded to complete necessary health requirements, including physical examinations and vaccinations, for their children before the start of school. In addition, transportation options will be available for eligible students, which may include MetroCards and bus services, depending on distance from the school and other factors.

The integration of Diwali, Lunar New Year, and Eid al-Adha into the public school calendar reflects New York City’s commitment to fostering a culturally inclusive atmosphere where students from diverse backgrounds can celebrate their heritage and beliefs alongside their education.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER

NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.

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