Gwinnett students get the whole week of Thanksgiving off, but two magnet deadlines, a state testing window and county camps all run through it. The exact days, what's open and closed, and what's waiting when school comes back.
Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) students are off for Thanksgiving break from Monday, November 23, through Friday, November 27, 2026, and classes resume Monday, November 30, 2026. The district's approved 2026 to 2027 calendar labels all five days "School Holidays," and the one page student calendar lists Thanksgiving Break for November 23 to 27. Both calendars were checked November 11, 2026.
Friday, November 20, 2026, is a regular school day on both calendars. Neither marks it as an early release.
Our Veterans Day calendar post has every no school day through winter break. This one covers the break week itself.
Is GCPS closed all week for Thanksgiving?
For students, yes. For year round staff, only Thursday and Friday are listed. The approved calendar marks all five days as school holidays, but its list of 12 month employee holidays includes only Thanksgiving on November 26 and 27. GCPS doesn't post office hours for Monday through Wednesday of break week, so call the central office in Suwanee at 678 301 6000 before you drive over.
How many school days are left after Thanksgiving?
Fifteen. The approved calendar marks Friday, December 18, 2026, as "End 1st Semester" and Day 87 of 180. Counting the school days from Monday, November 30, through December 18, there are three full weeks of class between the break and the end of the semester.
High schools release early for exams Wednesday, December 16, through Friday, December 18, 2026, the student calendar shows. The GCPS test dates page lists first semester district finals for middle and high school December 15 to 18, 2026.
Middle schoolers have a testing window that opens the day they return. The same page lists the i-Ready Winter Assessment for grades 6 to 8 from November 30 to December 18, 2026, with scores expected in ParentVUE January 11, 2027.
Which deadlines run through Thanksgiving break?
Three that families shopping for magnet seats should mark before they leave town.
The School of the Arts (SOTA) at Central Gwinnett High School closes applications for both its Conservatory and Fellows programs on Monday, November 30, 2026, the first day back, according to an October 7, 2026 GCPS announcement. The SOTA admissions page says the application "will open on Sept. 1 and close on Nov. 30."
SOTA Art and Design portfolios are due in person "by the first Friday back from Thanksgiving break," the same admissions page says. SOTA hasn't posted a calendar date for that, so confirm it with SOTA at 678 377 3960 before the break starts.
The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST) lottery window stays open through the whole break. The GSMST calendar shows the window running November 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027. Details are in our GSMST lottery guide.
Does the Milestones testing window pause for Thanksgiving?
The state window doesn't, but tests can't be given while schools are closed. The Georgia Department of Education's 2026 to 2027 Student Assessment Handbook lists the Winter Main end of course window as November 16, 2026, through January 8, 2027, which spans Thanksgiving break and winter break. The handbook also says state tests "may be administered Monday through Friday only and during a system's/school's normal operating hours."
GCPS lists its winter end of course dates as TBD for schools and courses on the accelerated block schedule. Ask your high school for its dates.
What's closed in Gwinnett over Thanksgiving?
County government closes Thursday and Friday. Gwinnett County's holiday schedule says all offices, except operations needed for residents' comfort and safety, close Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27, 2026, and resume regular hours Monday, November 30. A Magistrate Court judge will be available at the Gwinnett County Detention Center, the county says.
Gwinnett Parks and Recreation facilities close on November 26 and 27, according to the county's fall 2026 program guide.
State offices close the same two days. Georgia's 2026 state holiday list shows Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 26, and a state holiday observed Friday, November 27.
Are there county camps during Thanksgiving break?
Yes, Monday through Wednesday only. The county's fall 2026 program guide lists these:
Adventure Days Out Thanksgiving Break camp, November 23 to 25, 2026, for ages 5 to 12, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., for $91. Participating locations are Bogan Park in Buford, George Pierce Park in Suwanee, Lenora Park in Snellville, Lucky Shoals Park in Norcross and Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville.
Pottery Camp at Pinckneyville Park in Berkeley Lake, Monday through Wednesday, November 23 to 25, for ages 9 to 15, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., for $91.
Grandparents and Me Camp at Bethesda Park Senior Center in Lawrenceville, for ages 5 to 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for $8: "Native Navigators" on Monday, November 23, and "Harvest Olympics" on Tuesday, November 24.
The guide says registration is through GwinnettParks.com, and Gwinnett Parks and Recreation's number is 770 822 8840. Nothing in the guide covers Thursday or Friday, when parks facilities are closed.
What county events fall around the break?
The program guide lists these three. Two are free and open to all ages.
Kids Night: Cool Escape is Friday, November 20, 2026, the last school day before the break, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Gwinnett Community Resource Center at Georgia Belle Court in Norcross. It's for ages 7 to 12, costs $12 per child, and the guide's description is blunt: "No parents allowed!" Kids get dinner and activities while parents get a night out.
The Holiday Jubilee is Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bethesda Park in Lawrenceville, with local merchants, photos with Santa, s'mores, hot cocoa, food trucks, yard games and kids' activities.
The Lighting of the Tree is Thanksgiving night, Thursday, November 26, 2026, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse in Lawrenceville, with Santa lighting the tree, live entertainment, self guided courthouse tours, kids' activities and s'mores. Its gingerbread house contest is free, with registration due by Saturday, November 21, and entries dropped off by 4 p.m. on Monday, November 23, or Tuesday, November 24.
Is there free food help over Thanksgiving week?
Yes. The county's program guide lists a free drive through food distribution on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at Bryson Park, 5075 Lawrenceville Highway in Lilburn, from 3 p.m. until supplies last. The guide says it offers fresh and shelf stable foods, that no identification is required, and that it's powered by Volunteer Gwinnett. The county's food security resources page lists the same November 24 date, plus local cooperative ministries that help by appointment. It says Gwinnett's community navigators are available 24/7 at 770 822 8850.
What if we leave a day or two early?
Every day before the break is a school day, and GCPS tracks it. The district's Every Day Counts page says families get supportive messages when total absences reach 3, 7 and 12 days, and formal notices at 5, 10 and 15 unexcused absences. Ask your child's school before you book whether a pre trip absence will be excused.
When is Thanksgiving break next year?
Monday, November 22, through Friday, November 26, 2027. That's on the district's approved 2027 to 2028 calendar, which lists 12 month employee holidays for Thanksgiving on November 25 and 26, 2027.
Both years' calendars are posted on the GCPS calendar page. Check the PDF again before you pay for travel, and call your child's school with questions about a specific day.