As 2026 begins, calendars are taking center stage for many Europeans and Americans alike, with significant updates arriving from both Eurostat and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). For those who thrive on organization or simply want to avoid missing an important event, these new calendars are more than just a scheduling tool—they’re a roadmap for the months ahead.
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, has launched its comprehensive 2026 release calendar, offering an expansive look into the year’s forthcoming data releases, publications, and events. Meanwhile, in the United States, families and educators in Montgomery County, Maryland, are gearing up for a series of key school dates following the winter break, with closures and special days peppering the early months of the year. Both calendars, though vastly different in scope, are designed to keep their respective communities informed and prepared.
On the European front, Eurostat’s 2026 release calendar is now available for browsing, providing users with a detailed schedule of data releases, Euro indicators, news articles, publications, data visualizations, and more. According to Eurostat, “The new year is here, and you can now browse the 2026 Eurostat release calendar to stay up to date with all our forthcoming releases.” This resource is especially valuable for policy makers, journalists, researchers, and anyone interested in the pulse of European statistics.
What makes this calendar especially user-friendly is its flexibility. Weekly planning is confirmed every Friday for the upcoming week, ensuring that the most current information is always at hand. Changes after this confirmation are rare, happening only in exceptional circumstances. For those who like to look further ahead, the calendar’s provisional planning covers all of 2026, allowing for long-term scheduling and anticipation of key statistical releases.
The Eurostat calendar can be viewed in two different formats: a weekly format for those who prefer a snapshot of the immediate future, or a list format that shows planning for the full month. This dual approach caters to both detail-oriented users and those who want a broader overview. Additionally, the calendar is available in .ics / iCalendar format, making it easy to integrate with popular calendar applications like Outlook and Google Calendar. By clicking the “Want to subscribe?” yellow button at the top of the Eurostat calendar page, users can add the entire calendar or select specific statistical themes—such as agriculture and fisheries or economy and finance—or even narrow it down by release category, like news articles or data releases.
For professionals who depend on timely data—whether to inform policy, guide investment, or simply stay informed—this level of customization is a game-changer. As Eurostat notes, “You can include the whole calendar or select a specific statistical theme (e.g. agriculture and fisheries or economy and finance) or release category (e.g. news articles or data release), both available at the top of the page as well.” In an era when data drives decision-making at every level, having this information at one’s fingertips is more than a convenience; it’s a necessity.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the rhythm of the new year is marked not by data releases, but by the return of students and staff to Montgomery County Public Schools. On Monday, January 5, 2026, MCPS students and staff returned from winter break, ready to tackle the remainder of the academic year. But as any parent or teacher will tell you, the school calendar is about more than just the first day back—it’s a complex web of holidays, non-instructional days, and early releases that shapes the flow of family life.
January and February are particularly busy months for MCPS families. According to the district’s official communications, schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day—a day that not only honors the civil rights leader’s legacy but also provides a much-needed pause in the school schedule. Just one week later, on Monday, January 26, 2026, there will be no school for students due to a grading and planning day. While teachers will be hard at work preparing for the next term, students will enjoy a day off.
The calendar doesn’t slow down as February approaches. On Monday, February 16, 2026, MCPS will observe Presidents’ Day, with schools and offices closed district-wide. The very next day, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, is designated as a non-instructional day, meaning there’s no school for either students or teachers. For families trying to coordinate childcare or plan a long weekend getaway, these back-to-back closures are crucial details.
Rounding out the month, Friday, February 27, 2026, is scheduled as an early release day for students across the district. These early release days, while sometimes a logistical challenge for working parents, offer teachers valuable time for professional development and planning. As always, MCPS encourages families to double-check school-level communications and the official MCPS calendar for any updates or additional details as these dates approach, acknowledging that last-minute changes can and do happen.
For both Eurostat and MCPS, the emphasis is on transparency and accessibility. Eurostat’s commitment to confirming weekly planning every Friday, with only exceptional changes thereafter, mirrors MCPS’s advice for families to stay in the loop through official channels. In both cases, the goal is to minimize surprises and ensure that everyone—from data analysts in Brussels to third-graders in Bethesda—knows what’s coming next.
Calendars, of course, are more than just a list of dates. They’re a reflection of priorities, values, and the rhythms of daily life. Eurostat’s calendar is a testament to the importance of timely, reliable data in shaping European policy and public understanding. MCPS’s calendar, meanwhile, is a window into the balancing act faced by educators, students, and families as they navigate the demands of modern schooling. Whether it’s a data release in Luxembourg or a snow day in Maryland, these calendars help communities plan, adapt, and thrive.
As 2026 unfolds, the message from both Eurostat and MCPS is clear: staying informed is key. With user-friendly calendars now at everyone’s disposal, the year ahead promises to be a little more manageable—and maybe, just maybe, a bit less chaotic.
