Knox County Schools spring break is March 8-12, 2027. Zoo Knoxville and Ijams day camps, plus the zoo, Muse Knoxville and the Sunsphere deck.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. School dates come from the Knox County Schools calendar; camp details from Zoo Knoxville and Ijams Nature Center.

Knox County Schools’ spring break is Monday, March 8, to Friday, March 12, 2027. The district’s 2026-27 calendar also closes schools on Friday, March 26, and Monday, March 29, around Easter (Sunday, March 28). Private schools and the University of Tennessee set their own dates.

Who to call

  • Knox County Schools: 865-594-1800, knoxschools.org
  • City parks and community centers: Knoxville 311, 865-215-4311
  • Zoo Knoxville: 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive, zooknoxville.org

The dates

What When
Spring break, Knox County Schools Mon. March 8 to Fri. March 12, 2027
End of third grading period Fri. March 19
Half day for students Wed. March 24
Schools closed Fri. March 26 and Mon. March 29
Easter Sun. March 28

Spring break camps

Zoo Knoxville. The zoo’s spring and fall break day camps run Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. Its 2026 camps were $280 a week for members and $295 for nonmembers, with a camp shirt and water bottle; campers bring a lunch or add the zoo’s lunch option. In 2026, member registration opened in mid-January and nonmember registration two weeks later, and registration closes the Wednesday before camp if the week has not filled. 2027 details are not out yet. Zoo camp

Ijams Nature Center. Spring Break Camp 2027 is for ages 6 to 12, split into Spring Discovery (ages 6 to 9) and Spring Adventure (ages 8 to 12), exploring early signs of spring outdoors. It runs Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with after care from 3 to 5 p.m. for an extra fee. Ijams lists $350 per session; dates are coming soon. Ijams’ fall break camp for 2026 filled. Ijams camps

In 2026, City of Knoxville summer camp registration opened March 30 for city residents; see our summer camps and pools page.

Things to do

  • Zoo Knoxville, 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive. Buy tickets online. Hours and tickets
  • Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Ave. The grounds are open every day from 8 a.m. until dusk, and the visitor center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The River Boardwalk over the Tennessee River is one of the most visited spots. Ijams
  • Muse Knoxville, the children’s science museum at 516 N. Beaman St. School-year hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. Muse Knoxville
  • Sunsphere observation deck, World’s Fair Park. Free, with views of downtown, the river, UT and the Smoky Mountains. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, closed 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. World’s Fair Park
  • Parks, playgrounds and greenways: see our parks and trails guide.

What is open

  • Knox County Public Library branches keep regular hours; the library lists closings on its holiday closings page.
  • City pools are closed until Memorial Day weekend; the city says its outdoor play fountains are typically turned on in May.
  • Trash and recycling run on the normal days. See our trash guide.

Related: Easter in Knoxville, kids’ activities and free things to do.

Frequently asked questions

When is spring break for Knox County Schools in 2027?

Monday, March 8, through Friday, March 12, 2027, on the district’s approved 2026-27 calendar. Schools are also closed Friday, March 26, and Monday, March 29.

Are there spring break camps in Knoxville?

Yes. Zoo Knoxville runs weeklong spring break day camps from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Ijams Nature Center runs a 5-day spring break camp for ages 6 to 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with after care to 5 p.m.

How much is the Ijams spring break camp?

Ijams lists $350 per 5-day session for its 2027 spring break camp. Dates are still to be announced.

What can kids do in Knoxville over spring break for free?

The Ijams Nature Center grounds are open free every day from 8 a.m. until dusk, and the Sunsphere observation deck in World’s Fair Park is free to visit.