NCSS 2026 Annual Conference
Meet us December 4–6, 2026, in Chicago, IL, as we celebrate social studies excellence at the 106th NCSS Annual Conference! Join thousands of fellow educators for meaningful conversations, inspiring connections, and practical ideas you can take straight back to your classroom.
Details
PD Guide isn't connected to NCSS — confirm details there before registering.
Who it's for
Subjects
Topics
Tuesday, December 1
- 8:30 am - 9:00 pmCouncil of State Social Studies Specialists (CS4) Meeting begins ( CS4 members invite only)
- Council of State Social Studies Specialists (CS4) Meeting begins ( CS4 members invite only)
Wednesday, December 2
- 7:30 am - 5:30 pmNCSS Registration
- NCSS Registration
- 8:00 am - 9:00 pmPre-conference Clinics begin (add-on registration)College and University Faculty Assembly (CUFA) Meeting begins (add-on registration)CS4 meeting
- Pre-conference Clinics begin (add-on registration)
- College and University Faculty Assembly (CUFA) Meeting begins (add-on registration)
- CS4 meeting
Thursday, December 3
- 7:30 am - 6:30 pmNCSS Registration
- NCSS Registration
- 8:00 am - 5:30 pmNational Social Studies Leaders Association (NSSLA) Meeting begins (add-on registration)
- National Social Studies Leaders Association (NSSLA) Meeting begins (add-on registration)
- 8:00 am - 9:00 pmChicago tours (add-on registration)CS4 and CUFA meetingsPre-conference Clinics (full-day, half-day, and off-site)
- Chicago tours (add-on registration)
- CS4 and CUFA meetings
- Pre-conference Clinics (full-day, half-day, and off-site)
- 4:30 pm - 6:30 pmNCSS House of Delegates Meeting
- NCSS House of Delegates Meeting
Friday, December 4
- 7:30 am - 5:00 pmNCSS Registration
- NCSS Registration
- 8:25 am - 6:00 pmSessions, Featured SpeakersConference OpeningInternational Assembly (IA) Meeting begins (add-on registration)Illinois Council for the Social Studies (ICSS) Meeting begins (add-on registration)Chicago tours
- Sessions, Featured Speakers
- Conference Opening
- International Assembly (IA) Meeting begins (add-on registration)
- Illinois Council for the Social Studies (ICSS) Meeting begins (add-on registration)
- Chicago tours
- 9:00 am - 6:00 pmExhibit Hall Open
- Exhibit Hall Open
Saturday, December 5
- 7:30 am - 4:30 pmNCSS Registration
- NCSS Registration
- 8:30 am - 6:00 pmSessions, Featured SpeakersICSS MeetingChicago tours
- Sessions, Featured Speakers
- ICSS Meeting
- Chicago tours
- 8:00 am - 4:00 pmExhibit Hall open
- Exhibit Hall open
Sunday, December 6
- 8:00 - 10:00 amNCSS Registration
- NCSS Registration
- 8:30 - 10:15 amWorkshops
- 10:30 - 11:30 amConference Closing
- Conference Closing
Become an Exhibitor or Sponsor
Get in touch with thousands of classroom teachers, leaders, and other decision-makers in social studies education. Reserve a booth or becoming a sponsor at the 2026 NCSS Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, December 4-6.
Why Attend the NCSS Annual Conference?
• Inspiring Keynotes: Every year, NCSS is proud to welcome a lineup of prominent keynote speakers. Past keynotes include Ken Burns, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Heather Cox Richardson, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Richard Haass.
• Dynamic Breakout Sessions: Choose from hundreds of interactive sessions led by fellow educators, scholars, and civic leaders. Special sub-themes, speakers, and sessions will highlight issues and practices of greatest interest to social studies educators each day.
• Unmatched Networking: Meet and collaborate with passionate educators from across the country. Whether it is over coffee or during evening receptions,…
Descriptions on this page are excerpted from NCSS's own published materials.