Is There School on MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, and Memorial Day in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) in 2026?

If you’re planning assignments (or travel) around major holidays, here are the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) “no school” dates in 2026 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, and Memorial Day, based on the CPS 2025–2026 Calendar. 

Is There School on MLK Day, Presidents’ Day, and Memorial Day in CPS in 2026?

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are closed (no school for students) on all three holidays:

Holiday	Date (2026)	CPS schools open?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	Monday, January 19, 2026	No
Presidents’ Day	Monday, February 16, 2026	No
Memorial Day	Monday, May 25, 2026	No

Is there school on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026 (Chicago CPS)?

Date: Monday, January 19, 2026

CPS status: No school (holiday) 

What this means for substitute teachers

Expect near-zero daily sub assignments that day. If you’re trying to maximize days worked, the “edge days” often matter more:

• Friday before (Jan 16) can run hot with planned absences.

• Tuesday after (Jan 20) can spike with travel delays and illness.

Is there school on Presidents’ Day 2026 in Chicago (CPS)?

Date: Monday, February 16, 2026

CPS status: No school (holiday) 

Sub planning angle

Same playbook as MLK Day: treat the Monday as a dead zone, and watch the Friday + Tuesday edges for coverage demand.

Is there school on Memorial Day 2026 (CPS)?

Date: Monday, May 25, 2026

CPS status: No school (holiday) 

Disclaimer: School calendars can change due to emergency closures or district updates. Always verify dates on the official CPS calendar before making plans.