Fall Break 2026: Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City Schools Off Oct. 5-9

Rutherford County Schools and Murfreesboro City Schools are both out for fall break Monday, Oct. 5, through Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. Here are the rest of the 2026-27 break dates and things to do with kids that week.

Parents in Murfreesboro get an easy fall break this year: both school districts are off the same week. Rutherford County Schools and Murfreesboro City Schools are out for fall break from Monday, October 5, through Friday, October 9, 2026, according to each district's 2026-27 calendar.

Fall Break 2026 Dates

• Rutherford County Schools (RCS): Monday, Oct. 5, through Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, with schools closed, per the district's 2026-27 academic calendar (revised June 3, 2026).
• Murfreesboro City Schools (MCS): Monday, Oct. 5, through Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, per the MCS 2026-27 school calendar.

Students return to class Monday, Oct. 12. For an overview of both districts, see the Murfreesboro schools guide.

Other 2026-27 School Break Dates

Both districts line up on the major breaks this year:

| Break | Rutherford County Schools | Murfreesboro City Schools | |---|---|---| | Fall break | Oct. 5-9, 2026 | Oct. 5-9, 2026 | | Election Day (no school for students) | Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 | Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 | | Thanksgiving break | Nov. 23-27, 2026 | Nov. 23-27, 2026 | | Winter break | Dec. 21, 2026 - Jan. 1, 2027 | Dec. 21, 2026 - Jan. 1, 2027 | | In-service day (no school for students) | Monday, Jan. 4, 2027 | Monday, Jan. 4, 2027 | | Students return | Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027 | Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027 | | Spring break | March 29 - April 2, 2027 | March 29 - April 2, 2027 | | Last day of school | Friday, May 28, 2027 (2-hour day) | Friday, May 28, 2027 (half day) |

Murfreesboro City Schools students are also out Friday, Feb. 12, 2027, a school-based planning day, and Monday, Feb. 15, for Presidents' Day, a four-day weekend. Rutherford County Schools are closed Feb. 15 for Presidents Day.

Things to Do During Fall Break

Fall break lands at the start of pumpkin season, and several Murfreesboro venues have weekday programs that week:

• Pumpkin patches: Walden Pumpkin Farm in Smyrna sells $12 activity wristbands for ages 4 to 64. Lucky Ladd Farms in Eagleville runs its Fall Harvest Festival through Oct. 31. More in the pumpkin patch guide.
• Discovery Center at Murfree Spring runs a Fall Break Campology: MATH-terminds camp with LEGO engineering and baking a "PI." Drop-in programs that week include Creature Connection: Chinchilla Foraging and Discovery Design Time on Oct. 8.
• Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park has Butter Making on Oct. 5, Archery for Beginners on Oct. 7 and a free Night Sounds Hike on Oct. 8. See the Wilderness Station guide.
• Theater: *Bonnie & Clyde* opens at the Center for the Arts on Friday, Oct. 9.
• Scares for teens: SOAC Fright Nights in Smyrna runs Oct. 9 and 10, 6 to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 10: free Nature Day at the Wilderness Station (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and the Pumpkin Fun Run at Gateway Island (registration at 3 p.m.).

For more ideas, see kids activities in Murfreesboro, indoor activities for rainy days, day trips from Murfreesboro and the 2026 Halloween events guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is fall break 2026 for Rutherford County Schools?

Rutherford County Schools' fall break is Monday, Oct. 5, through Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.

When is fall break for Murfreesboro City Schools?

Murfreesboro City Schools are off for fall break Monday, Oct. 5, through Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, the same week as Rutherford County Schools.

When is Thanksgiving break 2026 for Rutherford County?

Both Rutherford County Schools and Murfreesboro City Schools are off Nov. 23 to 27, 2026.

When does winter break start for Rutherford County Schools?

Winter break runs Dec. 21, 2026, through Jan. 1, 2027. Monday, Jan. 4, is an in-service day with no school for students, and students return Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2027.

When is the last day of school for Rutherford County Schools in 2027?

The last day of the 2026-27 school year is Friday, May 28, 2027, for both districts.

Sources: Rutherford County Schools: RCS Academic Calendars, Rutherford County Schools 2026-27 Academic Calendar (PDF), the Murfreesboro City Schools 2026-27 calendar (PDF), Walden Pumpkin Farm and Lucky Ladd Farms.