Yes, by law, but only when it falls on a school day. New York Education Law Section 2586-a makes Diwali a holiday in New York City public schools, and schools are not in session that day. NYC Public Schools does not move a holiday to a weekday when it falls on a weekend.
In the 2026–27 school year, Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, so NYC public schools will not have a Diwali day off this year. Private, parochial, and charter schools set their own calendars.
Source: New York City Public Schools: May 2026 Family Update (2026–27 calendar). See also NYCPS 2026–2027 School Year Calendar.
Image: Diwali oil lamps, Darjeeling, by Benoy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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