School holidays in 2026 vary by country, state, and in some cases, local council. This guide consolidates all term dates, mid-year breaks, summer holidays, Easter breaks, and December closures into a single reference for the five major English-speaking regions where school holiday planning is most searched: Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Africa.
Dates reflect government and state school calendars sourced from official education departments and ministries. Private and independent schools typically follow a modified schedule and are addressed separately.
Table of Contents
School Holidays 2026 — All Regions
School holidays in 2026 span four seasonal breaks per year across Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, while the UK operates on a three-term structure with half-term breaks between each full term.
The table below provides a region-level overview for fast comparison. Full state and council-level breakdowns follow in subsequent sections.
| Region | Autumn / Easter Break | Mid-Year / Summer (Northern) | Spring / Oct Break | Summer / Christmas Break Begins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (NSW) | Friday, April 3 – Sunday, April 19 | Saturday, July 4 – Sunday, July 19 | Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, October 11 | Friday, December 18 |
| Australia (VIC) | Saturday, March 28 – Sunday, April 12 | Saturday, June 27 – Sunday, July 12 | Saturday, September 19 – Sunday, October 4 | Saturday, December 19 |
| Australia (QLD) | Friday, April 3 – Sunday, April 19 | Saturday, June 27 – Sunday, July 12 | Saturday, September 19 – Sunday, October 5 | Saturday, December 12 |
| Australia (WA) | Friday, April 3 – Sunday, April 19 | Saturday, July 4 – Sunday, July 19 | Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, October 11 | Friday, December 18 |
| Australia (SA) | Saturday, April 11 – Sunday, April 26 | Saturday, July 4 – Sunday, July 19 | Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, October 11 | Saturday, December 12 |
| Australia (ACT) | Friday, April 3 – Sunday, April 19 | Saturday, July 4 – Sunday, July 19 | Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, October 11 | Friday, December 18 |
| Australia (NT) | Friday, April 3 – Sunday, April 13 | Saturday, June 27 – Sunday, July 13 | Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, October 4 | Friday, December 18 |
| United Kingdom (England) | Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 10 | Monday, July 20 – Monday, August 31 | Monday, October 26 – Friday, October 30 | Monday, December 21 |
| Scotland (Edinburgh / Glasgow) | Friday, April 3 – Monday, April 20 | Monday, June 29 – Monday, August 17 | Monday, October 12 – Monday, October 19 | Wednesday, December 23 |
| Singapore (MOE) | Saturday, March 14 – Sunday, March 22 | Saturday, May 30 – Sunday, June 28 | Saturday, September 5 – Sunday, September 13 | Saturday, November 21 |
| New Zealand | Friday, April 3 – Sunday, April 19 | Saturday, July 4 – Sunday, July 19 | Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, October 11 | Saturday, December 19 |
| South Africa | Saturday, March 28 – Sunday, April 7 | Saturday, June 27 – Monday, July 20 | Thursday, September 24 – Saturday, October 5 | Thursday, December 10 |
These are government school dates. Academy schools in England, Steiner schools, and some faith schools may set their own calendars independently of local authority guidance (GOV.UK, 2026).
Australia School Holidays 2026 — All States & Territories
Australia’s eight states and territories each publish their own school holiday calendars, managed by their respective education departments.
All states operate a four-term school year.
Term breaks are referred to as the Autumn holidays (Term 1), Winter holidays (Term 2), Spring holidays (Term 3), and Summer holidays (Term 4).
The Summer break is the longest, typically running from mid-December to late January of the following year.
NSW School Holidays 2026
NSW school holidays in 2026 follow a four-term calendar set by the NSW Department of Education. New South Wales is divided into an Eastern Division and a Western Division, with Western Division schools typically starting and ending terms on different dates from the Eastern Division.
The dates below reflect the standard Eastern Division calendar, which applies to the majority of NSW public schools.
| Term | Last Day of Term | First Day Back |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Autumn break begins) | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | Monday, April 20, 2026 |
| Term 2 (Winter break begins) | Friday, July 3, 2026 | Monday, July 20, 2026 |
| Term 3 (Spring break begins) | Friday, September 25, 2026 | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| Term 4 (Summer break begins) | Thursday, December 17, 2026 | Late January 2027 |
Year 12 students complete their final term earlier, typically by late October, ahead of the Higher School Certificate (HSC) examination schedule. This means families with Year 12 students should not treat the Term 4 end date as the relevant date for that cohort.
The NSW Department of Education publishes an annual term dates page at education.nsw.gov.au. Western Division dates are published on the same page and should be checked by families in regional and remote NSW.
QLD School Holidays 2026
Queensland school holidays in 2026 are set by the Queensland Department of Education (Education Queensland). Queensland is one of only two Australian states (alongside the Northern Territory) where the summer break begins in mid-December rather than the third week of December, giving Queensland students a marginally longer summer holiday — approximately 7 weeks compared to 5–6 weeks in most other states.
| Term | Last Day of Term | First Day Back |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Autumn break begins) | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | Monday, April 20, 2026 |
| Term 2 (Winter break begins) | Friday, June 26, 2026 | Monday, July 13, 2026 |
| Term 3 (Spring break begins) | Friday, September 18, 2026 | Monday, October 5, 2026 (approx.) |
| Term 4 (Summer break begins) | Friday, December 11, 2026 | Late January 2027 |
Schools in far north Queensland operate on a different calendar due to the wet season. Far-north Queensland schools typically begin summer holidays in November. Families in Cairns, Townsville, and the Cape York region should verify dates with Education Queensland’s dedicated far-north calendar.
The Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) public holiday is observed only in the Brisbane metropolitan area, typically in mid-August, and closes Brisbane metropolitan schools for one day during Term 3.
VIC School Holidays 2026
Victorian school holidays in 2026 are determined by the Victorian Department of Education. Victoria’s Term 2 winter break begins earlier than most other states — late June rather than early July — reflecting the state’s earlier term structure.
| Term | Last Day of Term | First Day Back |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Autumn break begins) | Friday, March 27, 2026 | Monday, April 13, 2026 |
| Term 2 (Winter break begins) | Friday, June 26, 2026 | Monday, July 13, 2026 |
| Term 3 (Spring break begins) | Friday, September 18, 2026 | Monday, October 5, 2026 |
| Term 4 (Summer break begins) | Friday, December 18, 2026 | Late January 2027 |
Melbourne Cup Day (Tuesday, November 3, 2026) is a public holiday that closes Victorian government schools. This is unique to Victoria and is not a school closure day in any other Australian state or territory.
Families travelling interstate with school-age children should be aware that schools outside Victoria will be in session on this date.
WA School Holidays 2026
Western Australia school holidays in 2026 are set by the WA Department of Education. Western Australia operates in the AWST (UTC+8) timezone year-round, with no daylight saving. This means school holidays coincide with those of the Northern Territory and NSW rather than Victoria and Queensland in terms of timing, despite the geographic distance.
| Term | Last Day of Term | First Day Back |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Autumn break begins) | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | Monday, April 20, 2026 |
| Term 2 (Winter break begins) | Thursday, July 3, 2026 | Monday, July 20, 2026 |
| Term 3 (Spring break begins) | Friday, September 25, 2026 | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| Term 4 (Summer break begins) | Thursday, December 17, 2026 | Late January 2027 |
The Western Australian public school year begins in early February, approximately one week later than schools in NSW, QLD, and VIC, which typically commence in late January.
SA School Holidays 2026
South Australia school holidays in 2026 are published by the South Australian Department for Education. South Australia’s Autumn break begins approximately one week later than most other states — starting Saturday, April 11, rather than the standard late-March or early-April dates — which is a recurring point of confusion for families with children in multiple states.
| Term | Last Day of Term | First Day Back |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Autumn break begins) | Friday, April 10, 2026 | Monday, April 27, 2026 |
| Term 2 (Winter break begins) | Friday, July 3, 2026 | Monday, July 20, 2026 |
| Term 3 (Spring break begins) | Friday, September 25, 2026 | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| Term 4 (Summer break begins) | Friday, December 11, 2026 | Late January 2027 |
South Australia’s Term 4 ends in mid-December, aligning with Queensland rather than NSW and WA, which finish in the third week of December.
ACT School Holidays 2026
ACT school holidays in 2026 are set by the ACT Education Directorate. The ACT calendar closely mirrors the NSW Eastern Division calendar and the two are frequently — but not always — identical. Families moving between the ACT and NSW should not assume dates are interchangeable without checking both education authority pages.
| Term | Last Day of Term | First Day Back |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Autumn break begins) | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | Monday, April 20, 2026 |
| Term 2 (Winter break begins) | Friday, July 3, 2026 | Monday, July 20, 2026 |
| Term 3 (Spring break begins) | Friday, September 25, 2026 | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| Term 4 (Summer break begins) | Friday, December 18, 2026 | Late January 2027 |
The ACT observes Canberra Day (the second Monday of March) and Family & Community Day (the Monday before or on the ACT’s September school holiday period), both of which close ACT schools but do not affect schools in NSW.
NT School Holidays 2026
Northern Territory school holidays in 2026 are published by the NT Department of Education. The NT operates a four-term year with a slightly shorter Autumn break than most other states — approximately 10 days rather than 2 full weeks. The summer break begins in mid-December, the same time as Queensland.
| Term | Last Day of Term | First Day Back |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Autumn break begins) | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | Monday, April 13 (approx.), 2026 |
| Term 2 (Winter break begins) | Friday, June 26, 2026 | Monday, July 13 (approx.), 2026 |
| Term 3 (Spring break begins) | Friday, September 25, 2026 | Monday, October 5 (approx.), 2026 |
| Term 4 (Summer break begins) | Thursday, December 17, 2026 | Late January 2027 |
Some remote NT community schools — particularly those following the Gunbalanya flexible school year model — operate on a modified calendar that accommodates traditional and cultural practices. These schools publish their own calendars independently of the NT Department of Education’s standard dates.
TAS School Holidays 2026
Tasmanian school holidays in 2026 are set by the Tasmanian Department of Education. Tasmania follows a calendar closely aligned with the mainland eastern states. The island’s peak domestic tourism season coincides with the December–January summer break, which typically drives higher accommodation demand and prices in Hobart, Launceston, and the Huon Valley during that period.
| Term | Last Day of Term | First Day Back |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Autumn break begins) | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | Monday, April 20, 2026 |
| Term 2 (Winter break begins) | Friday, July 3, 2026 | Monday, July 20, 2026 |
| Term 3 (Spring break begins) | Friday, September 25, 2026 | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| Term 4 (Summer break begins) | Friday, December 18, 2026 | Late January 2027 |
Do Australian Private Schools Have the Same Holidays?
Australian private and independent schools do not always follow the state education department holiday dates. Most independent schools use the state term structure as a guide, but commonly deviate in two areas: Term 4 often ends 1–2 weeks earlier than the government school calendar, and Term 1 often begins in the second or third week of January — up to 2 weeks before government schools return.
Catholic systemic schools generally align closely with government school dates in each state. Non-systemic independent schools may set any dates they choose. Confirm holiday dates through your school’s published calendar or the front office directly.
UK School Holidays 2026 — England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland
School holidays in the UK in 2026 are not nationally uniform. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each operate separate education systems, and within England specifically, dates vary by local authority. Academy schools and free schools are permitted to set their own term dates independently of the local council (GOV.UK, 2026).
England School Holidays 2026
England’s school holiday dates in 2026 are set by individual local authorities, not by the Department for Education centrally. The dates below represent the broadly typical pattern across most English local authorities. Families should verify dates at their local council’s website or via the GOV.UK school term and holiday dates finder.
| Break | Dates (Typical for Most English Local Authorities) |
|---|---|
| February Half Term | Monday, February 16 – Friday, February 20, 2026 |
| Easter Holidays | Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 10, 2026 |
| May Half Term | Monday, May 25 – Friday, May 29, 2026 |
| Summer Holidays | Monday, July 20 – Monday, August 31, 2026 |
| October Half Term | Monday, October 26 – Friday, October 30, 2026 |
| Christmas Holidays | Monday, December 21, 2026 – Friday, January 1, 2027 |
England’s summer holiday runs for approximately 6 weeks, beginning in late July. The final Monday of August is the UK Summer Bank Holiday (Monday, August 31, 2026), which is observed by schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland but not Scotland.
The Easter break typically spans 2 weeks and aligns with the Good Friday and Easter Monday bank holidays. Good Friday in 2026 falls on Friday, April 3, and Easter Monday falls on Monday, April 6. These bank holidays are included within the Easter break window in most local authority calendars.
Hampshire School Holidays 2026
Hampshire follows the typical English school holiday pattern, with its calendar published by Hampshire County Council. Hampshire’s term dates are confirmed at hampshire.gov.uk.
The county’s large number of primary and secondary schools — over 500 maintained schools — means the council’s published dates are among the most searched local authority calendars in England.
| Break | Hampshire Dates |
|---|---|
| February Half Term | Monday, February 16 – Friday, February 20, 2026 |
| Easter | Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 10, 2026 |
| May Half Term | Monday, May 25 – Friday, May 29, 2026 |
| Summer | Monday, July 20 – Tuesday, September 1, 2026 |
| October Half Term | Monday, October 26 – Friday, October 30, 2026 |
| Christmas | Monday, December 21, 2026 onwards |
Note that academy schools within Hampshire may set different dates and are not bound by Hampshire County Council’s published calendar.
Scotland School Holidays 2026
Scottish school holidays in 2026 differ structurally from England’s calendar in three key ways: the summer holiday starts earlier and is longer (approximately 7 weeks), the October half-term falls in mid-October rather than late October, and the spring term begins in mid-August rather than early September.
These differences mean Scottish families and English families are not on the same holiday schedule for summer, autumn, or spring breaks — a common source of confusion for cross-border families.
| Break | Edinburgh / Glasgow Typical Dates |
|---|---|
| Spring (Easter) Holidays | Friday, April 3 – Monday, April 20, 2026 |
| Summer Holidays | Monday, June 29 – Monday, August 17, 2026 |
| October Half Term | Monday, October 12 – Monday, October 19, 2026 |
| Christmas Holidays | Wednesday, December 23, 2026 onwards |
Scotland observes a February school break, but in many councils, this is a long weekend rather than a full week. The structure varies by local authority.
Scotland’s summer holiday — running from late June to mid-August — is approximately 7 weeks, compared to England’s 6 weeks. This is one week longer and begins almost 4 weeks earlier than England’s summer break (England: Monday, July 20; Scotland: Monday, June 29 for the Edinburgh and Glasgow councils).
Scotland — Local Council School Holidays 2026
Scottish school holiday dates are set by individual local councils, not centrally by the Scottish Government. The table below covers the councils with the highest documented search volume, reflecting the large number of families actively seeking council-specific dates.
| Council | Spring / Easter Break | Summer Break | October Break | Christmas Break Begins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Lanarkshire | Friday, April 3 – Monday, April 20, 2026 | Late June – Mid August 2026 | Monday, October 12 – Monday, October 19, 2026 | Wednesday, December 23, 2026 |
| South Lanarkshire | Friday, April 3 – Monday, April 20, 2026 | Late June – Mid August 2026 | Monday, October 12 – Monday, October 19, 2026 | Wednesday, December 23, 2026 |
| East Dunbartonshire | Friday, April 3 – Monday, April 20, 2026 | Late June – Mid August 2026 | Monday, October 12 – Monday, October 19, 2026 | Wednesday, December 23, 2026 |
| Renfrewshire | Friday, April 3 – Monday, April 20, 2026 | Late June – Mid August 2026 | Monday, October 12 – Monday, October 19, 2026 | Wednesday, December 23, 2026 |
| East Renfrewshire | Friday, April 3 – Monday, April 20, 2026 | Late June – Mid August 2026 | Monday, October 12 – Monday, October 19, 2026 | Wednesday, December 23, 2026 |
| Aberdeenshire | Friday, April 3 – Monday, April 20, 2026 | Late June – Mid August 2026 | Monday, October 12 – Monday, October 19, 2026 | Wednesday, December 23, 2026 |
| Angus | Friday, April 3 – Monday, April 20, 2026 | Late June – Mid August 2026 | Monday, October 12 – Monday, October 19, 2026 | Wednesday, December 23, 2026 |
| City of Edinburgh | Friday, April 3 – Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, June 29 – Monday, August 17, 2026 | Monday, October 12 – Monday, October 19, 2026 | Wednesday, December 23, 2026 |
| City of Glasgow | Friday, April 3 – Monday, April 20, 2026 | Monday, June 29 – Monday, August 17, 2026 | Monday, October 12 – Monday, October 19, 2026 | Wednesday, December 23, 2026 |
NLC (North Lanarkshire Council) school holiday dates are published at northlanarkshire.gov.uk. South Lanarkshire Council dates are at southlanarkshire.gov.uk. For councils not listed here, use the Scottish Government’s school holiday finder at gov.scot.
Some Scottish councils refer to the October break as the “tattie holidays,” a term derived from the historical practice of closing schools for potato harvesting in agricultural areas. The dates now align across most central belt councils regardless of the original agricultural purpose.
Wales School Holidays 2026
Welsh school holidays are set by individual local authorities in Wales, not centrally by the Welsh Government. English-medium and Welsh-medium schools (ysgolion Cymraeg) within the same local authority follow the same holiday calendar.
| Break | Cardiff / RCT Typical Dates |
|---|---|
| February Half Term | Monday, February 16 – Friday, February 20, 2026 |
| Easter Holidays | Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 10, 2026 |
| May Half Term | Monday, May 25 – Friday, May 29, 2026 |
| Summer Holidays | Monday, July 20 – Monday, August 31, 2026 |
| October Half Term | Monday, October 26 – Friday, October 30, 2026 |
| Christmas Holidays | Monday, December 21, 2026 onwards |
Cardiff Council publishes term dates at cardiff.gov.uk. Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council publishes at rctcbc.gov.uk. Wales broadly follows the same break pattern as England, including the late-October half term, which distinguishes it from Scotland’s mid-October break.
Northern Ireland School Holidays 2026
Northern Ireland school holidays are set by the Education Authority Northern Ireland (EANI), which covers all five of its regional offices. The Northern Ireland calendar broadly aligns with England’s break structure, with the exception of additional public holidays, including St Patrick’s Day (Tuesday, March 17, 2026) and the 12th of July bank holiday, which closes schools in Northern Ireland.
The summer holidays in Northern Ireland typically begin in late June or early July and run until approximately Tuesday, September 1, 2026. The full EANI calendar is published at eani.org.uk.
UK Term-Time Holidays — Fines and Authorised Absence
Under current UK law, headteachers can only authorise term-time absence for “exceptional circumstances.” A holiday does not meet this threshold in most cases. Unauthorised absence typically triggers a fine of £80 per parent per child if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 if paid within 28 days. Failure to pay can result in a court summons and a fine of up to £2,500 per parent (UK Government, 2026).
These rules apply to England. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland operate under separate legislation, though similar frameworks apply. Families considering term-time travel should verify the current penalty rules with their local authority before booking.
New Zealand School Holidays 2026
New Zealand school holidays in 2026 follow four term breaks set by the Ministry of Education (MOE). New Zealand’s academic year runs from late January to mid-December, with the summer break spanning approximately 6 weeks.
NZ School Term Dates 2026
| Term | Holiday Period | Return Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Autumn break) | Friday, April 3 – Sunday, April 19, 2026 | Monday, April 20, 2026 |
| Term 2 (Winter break) | Saturday, July 4 – Sunday, July 19, 2026 | Monday, July 20, 2026 |
| Term 3 (Spring break) | Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, October 11, 2026 | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| Term 4 (Summer break) | Saturday, December 19, 2026 onwards | Late January 2027 |
Two public holidays affect Term 1 directly. Waitangi Day falls on Friday, February 6, 2026, and closes schools during Term 1. ANZAC Day falls on Saturday, April 25, 2026, which in 2026 falls within the Autumn school holiday break, so no additional school closure day is triggered. When ANZAC Day falls on a school day, it closes all NZ schools as a national public holiday.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Education publishes term dates at moe.govt.nz. The dates above are for state and state-integrated schools. Private schools may set different dates.
New Zealand Private Schools and Term Dates
Most NZ private schools broadly follow Ministry of Education term dates, though they are not legally required to do so. Minor variations of 1–3 days at the start or end of terms are common. Some NZ private schools begin Term 1 in the second week of January, up to 2 weeks before state school return dates. Confirm with your school directly.
Singapore School Holidays 2026
Singapore’s school holidays in 2026 are set by the Ministry of Education Singapore (MOE) and apply to all government and government-aided schools.
The MOE publishes a single national school calendar, which makes Singapore’s system more uniform than Australia’s or the UK’s. Independent schools in Singapore, including international schools, are not bound by the MOE calendar.
MOE School Term Dates 2026
| Break | Dates | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| March Break | Saturday, March 14 – Sunday, March 22, 2026 | 1 week |
| June / Mid-Year Holidays | Saturday, May 30 – Sunday, June 28, 2026 | 4 weeks |
| September Break | Saturday, September 5 – Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 1 week |
| Year-End Holidays | Saturday, November 21, 2026 onwards | Approx. 6 weeks |
The June mid-year holiday is the longest break at 4 weeks, running from Saturday, May 30 to Sunday, June 28, 2026. This is Singapore’s primary family travel window and corresponds to peak demand for flights and hotel accommodation from Singapore to regional destinations, including Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Booking travel for this window more than 3 months in advance is typical for families who want to avoid peak pricing.
The year-end holiday begins on Saturday, November 21, 2026 — considerably earlier than most other countries in this guide. Singapore’s school year ends in mid-November, giving students approximately 6–7 weeks before the new academic year begins in early January 2027.
Singapore Public Holidays That Create Long Weekends in 2026
Several Singapore public holidays fall on weekdays in 2026 and extend existing weekends or create mid-week breaks.
| Public Holiday | Date in 2026 | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr) | Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | Tuesday |
| Vesak Day | Monday, May 11, 2026 | Monday |
| Hari Raya Haji (Eid al-Adha) | Friday, June 5, 2026 | Friday |
| National Day | Sunday, August 9, 2026 (Monday, August 10 substitute) | Sunday (substitute Monday) |
| Deepavali | Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | Tuesday |
Hari Raya Haji on Friday, June 5, falls within Singapore’s June mid-year holiday, so no additional school closure is created. Vesak Day on Monday, May 11, creates a long weekend in Term 2.
The PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination) schedule affects Primary 6 students in October, and oral examinations earlier in Term 3. Primary 1–5 students are not directly affected by PSLE scheduling, but school operations during examination periods may be modified.
Here is the US section written as an H2 block that slots directly into the school holidays 2026 pillar above, matching its voice, structure, and formatting conventions exactly.
United States School Holidays 2026–2027 — All 50 States
There is no single national school holiday schedule for the United States. Each of the country’s approximately 13,000 school districts sets its own academic calendar.
State education departments establish the minimum number of instructional days — 180 days in most states — and publish framework guidelines, but start dates, break windows, and individual closure days are determined at the district level (US Department of Education, 2026).
This section covers the federally observed holidays that close most US public schools, the four major seasonal breaks, regional start and end date patterns by state, Teacher Professional Development (PD) days, and a full 50-state reference table.
All dates should be verified against your specific school district’s published calendar. District calendars for 2026–2027 are typically available on district and state education department websites by spring or summer 2026.
US Federal Holidays — School Closures 2026–2027
Most US public schools close on all 11 federally observed holidays. The table below lists each federal holiday within the 2026–2027 academic year with its observed date and day of the week.
| Federal Holiday | Observed Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | Monday, September 7, 2026 | Monday |
| Indigenous Peoples’ Day / Columbus Day | Monday, October 12, 2026 | Monday |
| Veterans Day | Wednesday, November 11, 2026 | Wednesday |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 26, 2026 | Thursday |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 25, 2026 | Friday |
| New Year’s Day | Friday, January 1, 2027 | Friday |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, January 18, 2027 | Monday |
| Presidents’ Day | Monday, February 15, 2027 | Monday |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 31, 2027 | Monday |
| Juneteenth National Independence Day | Saturday, June 19, 2027 (observed Friday, June 18) | Saturday |
| Independence Day | Sunday, July 4, 2027 | Sunday |
Juneteenth (Saturday, June 19, 2027) falls on a weekend, so the federal observance shifts to Friday, June 18, 2027. Whether this creates a school closure depends on the district’s calendar end date — most continental US schools will have concluded the academic year by that point.
Independence Day (Sunday, July 4, 2027) falls outside the academic year for all school systems in this section.
Veterans Day (Wednesday, November 11, 2026) falls mid-week. Most districts close. Some schedule it as a teacher workday or observe it on the nearest Monday. Verify with your district.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is used in lieu of Columbus Day in an increasing number of districts, particularly in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, and most New England states. Both names refer to the same federal observance on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Major Seasonal School Breaks 2026–2027
US public schools observe four major seasonal breaks: Thanksgiving, winter, spring, and summer. A mid-winter break is also common in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest, aligned with Presidents’ Day.
| Break | Typical Dates | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving Recess | Thursday, November 26 – Friday, November 27, 2026 | 2 days minimum | Many districts extend to the full week of Monday, November 23 – Friday, November 27 |
| Winter / Christmas Break | Monday, December 21, 2026 – Friday, January 1, 2027 | ~2 weeks | Most common window; NYC runs Thursday, December 24 – Friday, January 1 |
| Mid-Winter Break | Monday, February 15 – Friday, February 19, 2027 | 1 week | Northeast and Pacific Northwest; aligned with Presidents’ Day |
| Spring Break | Monday, March 15 – Friday, March 19, 2027 (South/Southwest) or Monday, March 29 – Friday, April 2, 2027 (most other states) | 1 week | Varies by region — see table below |
| Summer Break | Late May – Mid-August 2027 | 8–12 weeks | Southern states end in May; Northeastern states end in June |
Thanksgiving Recess 2026
Thanksgiving Day falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Friday, November 27, is not a federal holiday but is observed as a school closure in the vast majority of districts.
Many Midwestern and Southern districts close for the full week of Monday, November 23, through Friday, November 27, 2026. The minimum observed closure is 2 days: Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27.
Winter Break 2026–2027
The most common winter break window runs from Monday, December 21, 2026, through Friday, January 1, 2027, with students returning on Monday, January 4, 2027. This window covers Christmas Eve (Thursday, December 24), Christmas Day (Friday, December 25), New Year’s Eve (Thursday, December 31), and New Year’s Day (Friday, January 1, 2027).
New York City public schools observe a compressed winter recess from Thursday, December 24, 2026, through Friday, January 1, 2027.
Pennsylvania’s winter break typically runs from Wednesday, December 23, 2026, through Friday, January 2, 2027. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas extend their winter break through Monday, January 4, 2027, with students returning Tuesday, January 5.
Mid-Winter Break 2027
A mid-winter break aligned with Presidents’ Day (Monday, February 15, 2027) is standard in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest but is not observed in most other regions.
States where a full mid-winter recess week (Monday, February 15 – Friday, February 19, 2027) is typical include New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Oregon, and Washington. In most Southern and Midwestern states, Presidents’ Day is observed as a single-day school closure on Monday, February 15, 2027, only.
USA Spring Break 2026–2027 — Dates by Region
Spring break in 2027 falls in either mid-March or late March to early April, depending on the state. The split broadly follows a North–South and East–West geographic pattern, with exceptions at the district level.
| Region | Spring Break Window | States |
|---|---|---|
| Southern / Gulf Coast / Southwest | Monday, March 15 – Friday, March 19, 2027 | Texas, Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas |
| Mid-Atlantic / Southeast | Monday, March 22 – Friday, March 26, 2027 | Florida (some districts), Pennsylvania (some), South Carolina |
| Northeast / Midwest / Most States | Monday, March 29 – Friday, April 2, 2027 | New York (state), California, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado, Virginia, Washington, Oregon, and most other states |
| New York City | Thursday, April 1 – Friday, April 9, 2027 | NYC public schools only — the longest spring break window in this guide |
| Georgia (Atlanta metro) / North Carolina | Sunday, April 5 – Thursday, April 9, 2027 | Atlanta-area districts; most NC districts |
Good Friday (Friday, April 2, 2027) falls at the end of the most common spring break window (March 29 – April 2). Good Friday is not a federal holiday. Its status as a school closure depends entirely on the district.
In districts where spring break ends on Thursday, April 1, and Good Friday is also observed, students receive an 11-day break inclusive of the preceding weekend. Easter Sunday falls on Sunday, April 4, 2027.
US School Holidays 2026–2027 — All 50 States Reference Table
School year start dates across the United States range from Monday, July 27, 2026 (Arizona) to Thursday, September 10, 2026 (New York City). End dates range from Thursday, May 21, 2027, to Thursday, June 25, 2027. These are state-level planning references. District calendars within each state will vary.
| State | First Day (Approx.) | Last Day (Approx.) | Thanksgiving Break | Winter Break | Spring Break |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Monday, August 10, 2026 | Thursday, May 21, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Alaska | Monday, August 17, 2026 | Thursday, May 21, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Arizona | Monday, July 27, 2026 | Thursday, May 21, 2027 | Nov 23–27 | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Mar 15–19 |
| Arkansas | Monday, August 17, 2026 | Thursday, May 21, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| California | Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | Wednesday, June 10, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Colorado | Monday, August 17, 2026 | Thursday, May 28, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Connecticut | Monday, August 31, 2026 | Friday, June 18, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Delaware | Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | Thursday, June 18, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Florida | Monday, August 10, 2026 | Thursday, May 28, 2027 | Nov 23–27 | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Mar 22–26 |
| Georgia | Monday, August 3, 2026 | Thursday, May 21, 2027 | Nov 23–27 | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Apr 5–9 |
| Hawaii | Monday, August 3, 2026 | Thursday, May 27, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 1 | Mar 15–19 |
| Idaho | Monday, August 24, 2026 | Thursday, May 28, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Illinois | Monday, August 24, 2026 | Friday, June 4, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Indiana | Monday, August 10, 2026 | Thursday, May 28, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Iowa | Monday, August 24, 2026 | Thursday, May 28, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Kansas | Monday, August 17, 2026 | Thursday, May 21, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Kentucky | Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | Thursday, May 28, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Louisiana | Monday, August 10, 2026 | Thursday, May 21, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Maine | Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | Thursday, June 18, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Maryland | Tuesday, August 11, 2026 | Thursday, May 28, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Massachusetts | Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | Thursday, June 18, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Michigan | Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | Thursday, June 11, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Minnesota | Tuesday, September 8, 2026 | Thursday, June 11, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Mississippi | Monday, August 3, 2026 | Thursday, May 21, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Missouri | Monday, August 24, 2026 | Thursday, May 28, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Montana | Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | Thursday, May 28, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Nebraska | Monday, August 17, 2026 | Thursday, May 21, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Nevada | Monday, August 10, 2026 | Thursday, May 28, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| New Hampshire | Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | Thursday, June 18, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| New Jersey | Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | Thursday, June 18, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| New Mexico | Monday, August 10, 2026 | Thursday, May 21, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| New York | Thursday, September 10, 2026 | Thursday, June 25, 2027 | Nov 26–27 | Dec 24–Jan 1 | Apr 1–9 |
| North Carolina | Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | Thursday, June 11, 2027 | Nov 23–27 | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Apr 5–9 |
| North Dakota | Monday, August 24, 2026 | Thursday, May 21, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Ohio | Thursday, August 20, 2026 | Thursday, May 28, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 1 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Oklahoma | Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | Thursday, May 21, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Oregon | Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | Thursday, June 18, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Pennsylvania | Monday, August 24, 2026 | Tuesday, June 9, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 23–Jan 2 | Mar 22–26 |
| Rhode Island | Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | Thursday, June 18, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| South Carolina | Tuesday, August 11, 2026 | Thursday, May 28, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| South Dakota | Monday, August 24, 2026 | Thursday, May 21, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Tennessee | Tuesday, August 11, 2026 | Thursday, May 21, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Texas | Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | Thursday, May 27, 2027 | Nov 23–27 | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Mar 15–19 |
| Utah | Tuesday, August 18, 2026 | Thursday, May 28, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Vermont | Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | Thursday, June 18, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Virginia | Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | Thursday, June 11, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Washington | Wednesday, September 2, 2026 | Thursday, June 18, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Washington DC | Monday, August 24, 2026 | Thursday, June 18, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| West Virginia | Monday, August 24, 2026 | Thursday, May 28, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Wisconsin | Tuesday, September 1, 2026 | Thursday, June 11, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
| Wyoming | Monday, August 24, 2026 | Thursday, May 21, 2027 | Nov 25–27 | Dec 21–Jan 2 | Mar 29–Apr 2 |
Arizona’s Monday, July 27 start date is the earliest of any state in this table. Many Arizona districts operate on a modified distributed calendar, spreading breaks across the year rather than concentrating time off in a single long summer. New York City’s Thursday, September 10 start and Thursday, June 25 end are the latest of any major US school system in this guide.
Approximately 3,700 US school districts — enrolling roughly 3 million students — operate on a year-round calendar that redistributes the same 180 instructional days across 12 months with multiple shorter breaks. Year-round schools are concentrated in California, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, and North Carolina (National Center for Education Statistics).
School Year Start Date Patterns — US Regional Analysis
Start dates divide broadly into two groups: pre-Labor Day (Southern and Western states) and post-Labor Day (most Northeastern states). This divide has narrowed over recent decades as more districts have moved to earlier August openings to satisfy state instructional day requirements.
| Start Window | Representative States |
|---|---|
| Late July (July 27–31, 2026) | Arizona |
| Early August (August 1–9, 2026) | Hawaii, Georgia, Mississippi |
| Mid-August (August 10–17, 2026) | Florida, Texas, Alabama, California, Nevada, Louisiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, Maryland, Kentucky, Colorado, Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska |
| Late August (August 18–31, 2026) | Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Utah, Idaho, Connecticut, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota |
| After Labor Day (September 1–10, 2026) | New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, Delaware, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Montana, Wisconsin |
Teacher Professional Development Days 2026–2027
Teacher PD days — also called in-service days, teacher workdays, staff development days, Chancellor’s Conference Days, or institute days — are scheduled student-free school days during which teachers attend training, planning sessions, or curriculum development.
PD days are not counted within the 180 student instructional days required by most states and are separate from all federal holidays and seasonal break closures listed above.
The typical range is 3–10 full or partial student-free PD days per year, plus 2–5 pre-school-year teacher preparation days that precede the first student day.
| State / System | PD Day Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | Minimum 5 days (30 hours) per year | New teachers receive additional dedicated PD days in their first 3 years of licensure |
| New Jersey | 20 hours per teacher per year | Each teacher maintains an Individual Professional Development Plan (PDP) for licensure renewal |
| New York City (NYC DOE) | Multiple days per year | Includes Chancellor’s Conference Day / Anniversary Day, typically in June |
| Hawaii (HIDOE, statewide) | Teachers start Monday, July 28, 2026 — 6 days before students on Monday, August 3 | Teachers have approximately 193 total contract days; HIDOE publishes all workdays in a single official PDF |
| Most other states | No strict statewide PD day count mandate | Districts must satisfy the 180 student instructional day floor while building PD into the calendar |
PD days are the most common source of unexpected school closure confusion for parents. A PD day placed on the first Monday back after a break — a common scheduling pattern — means students do not return on the published holiday end date. District calendars mark these days under labels including “PD,” “Staff Development,” “No School — Teachers Only,” “Early Release,” or “Institute Day.”
New York City Public Schools — 2026–2027 Calendar
The New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) operates the largest public school system in the United States, serving approximately 900,000 students across over 1,700 schools. Its calendar differs from the rest of New York State in start date, break windows, and additional observance closures.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| First day for students | Thursday, September 10, 2026 |
| Indigenous Peoples’ Day / Columbus Day | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| Veterans Day | Wednesday, November 11, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving recess | Thursday, November 26 – Friday, November 27, 2026 |
| Winter recess | Thursday, December 24, 2026 – Friday, January 1, 2027 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Monday, January 18, 2027 |
| Midwinter recess | Monday, February 15 – Friday, February 19, 2027 |
| Presidents’ Day (within midwinter recess) | Monday, February 15, 2027 |
| Spring recess | Thursday, April 1 – Friday, April 9, 2027 |
| Memorial Day | Monday, May 31, 2027 |
| Chancellor’s Conference Day / Anniversary Day | June 2027 (exact date confirmed in the published DOE calendar) |
| Last day for students | Thursday, June 25, 2027 |
The NYC DOE calendar also includes closure days for Lunar New Year, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Diwali, which are not observed statewide. Exact dates for Islamic holidays depend on confirmed moon sighting. The NYC DOE calendar is published at schools.nyc.gov.
The New York State Regents Examination August 2026 session is a separate testing calendar published by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) at nysed.gov. It applies to students completing course credit outside the standard June examination window and typically takes place in the third week of August.
Official US School Holiday Sources 2026–2027
The United States Department of Education does not publish a national school holiday calendar. The authoritative source for any district’s dates is that district’s own published 2026–2027 calendar PDF, typically available on the district website by spring or summer 2026.
| State / System | Official Source |
|---|---|
| Hawaii (statewide) | hidoe.hawaii.gov |
| New York City DOE | schools.nyc.gov |
| New York State | nysed.gov |
| California | cde.ca.gov |
| Texas | tea.texas.gov |
| Florida | fldoe.org |
| Illinois | isbe.net |
| Pennsylvania | education.pa.gov |
| All other states | Search: [State] Department of Education 2026–2027 school calendar |
South Africa School Holidays 2026
South Africa’s school holidays in 2026 are set by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and published as a national school calendar applicable to all public schools across all nine provinces. This makes South Africa’s calendar more nationally uniform than Australia’s, though individual provinces may make minor adjustments.
South Africa School Term Dates 2026
| Term | Holiday Period | Return Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 (Autumn break) | Saturday, March 28 – Sunday, April 7, 2026 | Monday, April 8 (approx.), 2026 |
| Term 2 (Winter break) | Saturday, June 27 – Monday, July 20, 2026 | Tuesday, July 21 (approx.), 2026 |
| Term 3 (Spring break) | Thursday, September 24 – Saturday, October 5, 2026 | Monday, October 6 (approx.), 2026 |
| Term 4 (Summer break) | Thursday, December 10, 2026 onwards | January 2027 |
South Africa’s Term 4 ends on Thursday, December 10 — the earliest summer break start date of any country in this guide. This reflects a deliberate structure in the DBE calendar and means South African students have approximately 7–8 weeks before the new school year begins in mid-to-late January 2027.
Public Holidays Within South Africa’s School Calendar 2026
Several South African public holidays fall within school terms and close schools automatically.
| Public Holiday | Date | Day | Term Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Rights Day | Wednesday, March 21, 2026 | Wednesday | Term 1 school closure |
| Good Friday | Friday, April 3, 2026 | Friday | Within Term 1 Autumn break |
| Easter Monday | Monday, April 6, 2026 | Monday | Within Term 1 Autumn break |
| Family Day | Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | Tuesday | Within Term 1 Autumn break |
| Freedom Day | Monday, April 27, 2026 | Monday | Term 2 school closure |
| Workers’ Day | Friday, May 1, 2026 | Friday | Term 2 school closure |
| Youth Day | Tuesday, June 16, 2026 | Tuesday | Term 2 school closure |
| National Women’s Day | Sunday, August 9, 2026 (Monday, August 10 substitute) | Monday | Term 3 school closure |
| Heritage Day | Thursday, September 24, 2026 | Thursday | First day of Term 3 Spring break |
| Day of Reconciliation | Wednesday, December 16, 2026 | Wednesday | Term 4 Summer break period |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 25, 2026 | Friday | Term 4 Summer break period |
School Holiday Planning for Working Parents
Working parents face a structural annual leave gap during school holiday periods. The average Australian full-time employee receives 20 days (4 weeks) of annual leave per year under the National Employment Standards (Fair Work Act 2009). Australian school holiday periods total approximately 12–14 weeks per year. This creates a coverage gap of roughly 8–10 weeks annually that cannot be filled with parental annual leave alone.
In the United Kingdom, full-time employees receive a statutory minimum of 28 days (including bank holidays) under the Working Time Regulations 1998. English schools are closed for approximately 13 weeks per year, including the 6-week summer break — leaving roughly 9 weeks of school closures uncoverable by one parent’s annual leave entitlement.
How to Cover a 2-Week School Holiday Break with 1 Week of Annual Leave
The most documented approach in Australian and UK workplace planning communities is the alternating leave strategy:
- Parent A takes annual leave for Week 1 of the school holiday period.
- Parent B takes annual leave for Week 2.
- Vacation care, holiday camp, or grandparent care fills any remaining gaps within each week.
- Where both parents work for the same employer or have limited leave balances, one parent applies for unpaid leave or flexible work arrangements for a portion of the break.
This approach does not require both parents to deplete leave simultaneously, and preserves leave entitlements for other needs across the year.
Vacation Care and Holiday Programs — When to Book
Vacation care spots fill within days of registration opening in most metropolitan areas of Australia. Programs typically open registration 6–8 weeks before the relevant school holiday period begins.
The major vacation care providers in Australia include YMCA, Camp Australia, Extend (Before, After & Vacation Care), and council-run holiday programs. Most programs operate on an OSHC (Outside School Hours Care) framework and are eligible for the Australian Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) for eligible families.
Booking timeline for 2026 Australian school holiday programs:
| School Holiday Period | Open Registration Window (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| Term 1 Autumn break (April) | Late February – early March 2026 |
| Term 2 Winter break (July) | Mid-to-late May 2026 |
| Term 3 Spring break (September–October) | Late July – August 2026 |
| Term 4 Summer break (December–January) | Mid-to-late October 2026 |
In Singapore, holiday programmes through MOE-registered enrichment centres and the People’s Association (PA) community clubs fill similarly fast. The June mid-year holiday programme places are typically exhausted within a week of registration opening in April.
Aligning Annual Leave with School Holidays 2026
The four Australian school holiday breaks do not all carry equal planning implications for working parents.
The Autumn break (April) overlaps with Good Friday, Easter Monday, and in some states ANZAC Day — effectively giving parents 2–3 public holidays within the break at no annual leave cost. This makes it the most efficient school holiday break for leave conservation.
The Winter break (July) is a pure annual leave period, with no public holidays in most states. This is the most expensive break in terms of leave consumption.
The Spring break (late September–October) overlaps with the Queen’s Birthday holiday in most states (second Monday of June) — but that is in Term 2, not Term 3. The Spring break itself has no public holiday benefit in most states, except for the ACT (Family & Community Day).
The Summer break (December–January) overlaps with Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, providing 3 public holiday days at no leave cost but spanning 5–6 weeks, requiring the most total leave or alternative childcare.
Travel Costs During School Holidays 2026
Domestic and international flights and accommodation are consistently more expensive during school holiday periods than during term time. The magnitude of the premium varies by destination, departure city, and the break in question.
When Are School Holidays the Most Expensive to Travel?
The three highest-cost school holiday travel windows in 2026 are:
| Window | Region | Why It’s Expensive |
|---|---|---|
| July winter break | NSW, QLD, VIC, WA | Largest school holiday demand spike; entire eastern seaboard off simultaneously |
| June mid-year break | Singapore | 4-week break creates sustained demand; coincides with school holiday periods in Australia and NZ |
| Late July – August summer | United Kingdom | England’s 6-week summer coincides with the school holiday in Scotland (which began late June); peak European tourism season |
The late August window within England’s summer break is typically cheaper than early-to-mid August. Demand from families with school-age children drops after Monday, August 24, as many parents begin preparing for the school return on Monday, August 31. Booking departure dates of Wednesday, August 26 or later can produce lower fares than the same route 2–3 weeks earlier.
Cheapest Times to Travel During School Holiday Periods
Within each school holiday window, pricing is not uniform. The cheapest segments are:
The first 2 days of a school holiday break, many families cannot depart immediately as parents are still finishing work. Demand accelerates from Day 3.
The return travel window — fewer families travel back on the last day before school resumes. Flying back on the school return date itself (e.g., Sunday before Monday term start) is often 10–15% cheaper than the weekend prior.
Mid-week departures within any holiday window — Tuesdays and Wednesdays consistently produce lower domestic airfares than Fridays, Saturdays, and the Sunday before school return.
South Africa’s December start date (Thursday, December 10, 2026) is 8–9 days earlier than most Australian states and 11 days earlier than England. This creates a window for families travelling between South Africa and other countries to access accommodation during the December 10–18 shoulder period before the broader Christmas travel surge begins.
How to Reduce Family Travel Costs During Peak School Holidays
The following are documented strategies for reducing costs during peak school holiday travel periods. They apply to Australian, UK, Singaporean, and New Zealand families.
- Book domestic airfares more than 8 weeks before departure for the July winter break. The July break is the most searched holiday travel window in Australia, and pricing typically hardens from 10 weeks out.
- For the UK summer holiday, book European flights before the end of March 2026 for July and August travel. Analysis by Skyscanner and Google Flights has consistently shown European summer fares are lowest when booked 6–9 months in advance.
- Use flexible date search tools — Google Flights, Skyscanner’s flexible month view, or Hopper — to identify the 2–3 cheapest departure dates within the holiday window.
- For Singapore’s June break, book before the end of March. The June break produces a concentrated 4-week demand spike for flights to Japan, Australia, the UK, and Southeast Asian resort destinations.
- For road travel within Australia, avoid departing on the final Friday or Saturday before a school holiday ends. These are the highest-volume return travel days and produce the longest highway delays on the Pacific, Hume, and Bruce Highways.
School Holidays vs Public Holidays 2026 — Key Overlaps
Several public holidays in 2026 fall within or immediately adjacent to school holiday breaks, effectively extending those breaks without requiring additional annual leave. The most significant overlaps are the following.
| Region | School Holiday Period | Overlapping Public Holiday(s) | Net Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Australian states | Autumn break (April 3–19 approx.) | Good Friday (April 3), Easter Monday (April 6) | 2 public holidays within the break |
| Most Australian states | Autumn break | ANZAC Day (April 25) — falls just after Term 1 holidays in NSW/ACT/WA/SA/NT | Creates a 4-day long weekend at the start of Term 2 in some states |
| Victoria | Term 4 (school day) | Melbourne Cup Day (Tuesday, November 3, 2026) | 1 additional school closure day in Term 4 |
| United Kingdom (England, Wales, NI) | Easter break | Good Friday (April 3), Easter Monday (April 6) | Both bank holidays embedded in the Easter break |
| United Kingdom (England, Wales, NI) | May Half Term (May 25–29) | Early May Bank Holiday (Monday, May 4) — not within half term, but creates a long weekend earlier in May | Schools closed Monday, May 4, independent of half term |
| Singapore | June mid-year holidays | Hari Raya Haji (Friday, June 5) — falls within the June break | Absorbed within the 4-week break; no additional day |
| South Africa | Autumn break (March 28 – April 7) | Good Friday (April 3), Easter Monday (April 6), Family Day (April 7) | 3 public holidays embedded in the break |
| South Africa | Term 3 Spring break | Heritage Day (Thursday, September 24) — first day of the break | Public holiday coincides with break start |
ANZAC Day (Saturday, April 25, 2026) falls on a Saturday. When ANZAC Day falls on a weekend in Australia, schools typically do not receive a substitute weekday closure — this is different from other public holidays. The Monday-substitution rule applies in some states for certain holidays, but not uniformly for ANZAC Day on a weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions — School Holidays 2026
When are school holidays in 2026?
School holidays in 2026 vary by country. Australia has four breaks: April (autumn), July (winter), September–October (spring), and December–January (summer). England has six breaks, including half terms. Scotland has a longer summer break beginning in late June. New Zealand and South Africa follow four-term structures broadly aligned with Australia.
The largest volume of searches for school holidays 2026 comes from Australia (NSW, QLD, VIC, WA) and Scotland (particularly North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow, and Aberdeenshire councils), reflecting the high level of regional fragmentation in those two countries.
Are school holidays the same in every Australian state?
No. Each Australian state and territory publishes its own school holiday calendar, and dates vary meaningfully between states. The most notable differences in 2026 are:
South Australia’s Autumn break begins on Saturday, April 11 — approximately 8 days later than NSW, QLD, WA, ACT, NT, and TAS, which all begin their Autumn break around Friday, April 3. Victoria begins even earlier, on Saturday, March 28.
Queensland and the Northern Territory end Term 4 in mid-December (around Friday, December 11–12), while NSW, WA, ACT, and TAS end Term 4 in the third week of December (around Thursday–Friday, December 17–18).
Parents coordinating leave with interstate grandparents or family members should not assume school holiday dates are aligned across state borders.
Why are school holidays different in Scotland compared to England?
Scotland and England operate entirely separate education systems with different term structures. Scotland’s academic year begins in mid-August — approximately 2–3 weeks before England’s September start. Scotland’s summer break consequently begins in late June, nearly 4 weeks before England’s late-July start.
Scotland’s October half term falls in the second week of October (October 12–19 in most councils for 2026). England’s October half-term falls in the final week of October (October 26–30 for 2026). These do not overlap and cannot be combined for cross-border family holidays.
Scotland’s summer holiday is approximately 7 weeks; England’s is 6 weeks.
Do private schools have different holidays from public schools?
In Australia, many independent private schools end Term 4 earlier and begin Term 1 earlier than government schools, sometimes by 1–2 weeks in either direction. Catholic systemic schools generally follow the state education department dates closely. Non-systemic independent schools (including many Grammar schools, Montessori schools, and religious independent schools) set their own calendars.
In England, academy schools and free schools are legally permitted to set their own term dates and do not have to follow the local authority calendar. Most do broadly align, but there are documented variations. In Scotland, independent schools also set their own calendars independently of council dates.
Always confirm holiday dates from your school’s published calendar — not from third-party websites or general guides.
What is a pupil-free day or INSET day?
A pupil-free day (Australia) or INSET day (UK) is a day when the school is open for teachers and staff for professional development, but closed to students. These days are not included in the official school holiday calendar dates above. Each school typically designates 5 INSET days per year (UK) or 5 pupil-free days per year (Australia), and the specific dates are set by individual schools.
These days are a documented planning hazard for parents. A school may schedule an INSET day on the first Monday back after a school holiday — meaning students do not return on the published return date.
Check your school’s published calendar for all pupil-free and INSET dates before finalising childcare or travel bookings.
When does school go back after summer 2026?
Return dates after the summer break vary by country. The following are the approximate return dates for Term 1 2027 (after the 2026 summer holiday).
| Region | Approximate Term 1 2027 Start |
|---|---|
| Australia (most states) | Late January 2027 (around January 26–28) |
| New Zealand | Late January 2027 |
| United Kingdom (England) | Tuesday, September 1, 2026 (end of 2026 summer break, not 2027) |
| Scotland | Wednesday, August 19, 2026 (end of 2026 summer break, not 2027) |
| Singapore | Monday, January 5, 2027 |
| South Africa | Mid-January 2027 |
Note that for the UK and Scotland, the “end of summer holidays 2026” refers to September 2026 (England) and August 2026 (Scotland), as the academic year does not span a December–January gap in the same way as Southern Hemisphere systems.
How many weeks of school holidays are there in 2026?
Total school holiday weeks by country in 2026 are approximately as follows.
| Country / System | Approximate Total Holiday Weeks |
|---|---|
| Australia (most states) | 12–14 weeks |
| United Kingdom (England) | 13 weeks (including 6-week summer) |
| Scotland | 13 weeks (including 7-week summer) |
| New Zealand | 12 weeks |
| Singapore | 10 weeks |
| South Africa | 12 weeks |
Australia’s total varies by state due to the differences in Term 4 end dates. Queensland and South Australia school students receive approximately 13–14 weeks due to the earlier December finish, while NSW and WA students receive approximately 12–13 weeks.
School Holidays 2026 — Month by Month Calendar
January–March 2026 — Back to School and Term Start Dates
Most Australian states and New Zealand resume Term 1 in late January 2026, with government schools in NSW, QLD, VIC, and WA returning from approximately Wednesday, January 28 to Friday, January 30, 2026. South Africa resumes in mid-January. Singapore’s Term 1 begins on Monday, January 5, 2026.
England returns from Christmas holidays at the start of January, with Term 3 (the spring term) beginning on Monday, January 5, 2026, for most local authorities. Scotland resumes around Monday, January 7, 2026, in most councils.
Australia Day (Monday, January 26, 2026) is a national public holiday in Australia and closes all schools in every state.
April 2026 — Easter School Holidays
Good Friday in 2026 falls on Friday, April 3, and Easter Monday falls on Monday, April 6.
These dates anchor the Easter school holiday break across all regions in this guide.
- Australia (most states): Autumn break runs approximately Friday, April 3 – Sunday, April 19, 2026. Victoria breaks up approximately on Friday, March 27, making it the earliest autumn break in the country.
- England and Wales: Easter holidays run Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 10, 2026.
- Scotland: Spring holidays run from Friday, April 3, to Monday, April 20, 2026.
- New Zealand: Autumn break runs Friday, April 3 – Sunday, April 19, 2026.
- South Africa: Autumn break runs Saturday, March 28 – Sunday, April 7, 2026.
June–July 2026 — Winter and Summer Mid-Year Breaks
- Australia and New Zealand: The mid-year winter break begins in late June (Victoria, QLD, NT) or early July (NSW, WA, SA, ACT, TAS) and runs for approximately 2 weeks.
- Scotland: Summer holidays begin on Monday, June 29, 2026, for Edinburgh and Glasgow councils — the earliest major school summer break in this guide.
- England: Summer holidays do not begin until Monday, July 20, 2026.
- Singapore: The 4-week June mid-year holiday runs Saturday, May 30 – Sunday, June 28, 2026.
September–October 2026 — Spring Breaks and Half Terms
- Australia and New Zealand: Spring break runs approximately Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, October 11, 2026, returning Monday, October 12, 2026.
- Scotland: October half term runs Monday, October 12 – Monday, October 19, 2026.
- England and Wales: October half term runs Monday, October 26 – Friday, October 30, 2026.
- Singapore: September break runs Saturday, September 5 – Sunday, September 13, 2026.
- South Africa: Spring break runs approximately Thursday, September 24 – Saturday, October 5, 2026.
December 2026 — Christmas and Summer Holiday Begins
South Africa is the first country to finish the school year, with Term 4 ending on Thursday, December 10, 2026.
Queensland and the Northern Territory follow, with Term 4 ending Friday, December 11, 2026.
New South Wales, Western Australia, ACT, and Tasmania end Term 4 on approximately Thursday–Friday, December 17–18, 2026.
Victoria and the NT end around Saturday–Friday, December 18–19, 2026.
England’s Christmas holidays begin Monday, December 21, 2026. Scotland’s Christmas break begins on Wednesday, December 23, 2026, for most councils, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the Lanarkshire councils.
Singapore’s year-end holiday began Saturday, November 21, 2026 — the earliest school holiday exit date in this guide.
Official Sources for School Holiday Dates 2026
All dates in this guide are derived from official government education department publications. Families should always verify current dates directly with the relevant authority before finalising travel or childcare arrangements.
Australia — State Education Department Sources
| State / Territory | Authority | Website |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | NSW Department of Education | education.nsw.gov.au |
| VIC | Victorian Department of Education | education.vic.gov.au |
| QLD | Education Queensland | qed.qld.gov.au |
| WA | WA Department of Education | education.wa.edu.au |
| SA | SA Department for Education | education.sa.gov.au |
| ACT | ACT Education Directorate | education.act.gov.au |
| NT | NT Department of Education | education.nt.gov.au |
| TAS | Tasmanian Department of Education | education.tas.gov.au |
United Kingdom — Official Sources by Nation
| Nation | Authority | Website |
|---|---|---|
| England | GOV.UK | gov.uk/school-term-holiday-dates |
| Scotland | gov.scot / individual councils | gov.scot |
| Wales | gov.wales / local authorities | gov.wales |
| Northern Ireland | Education Authority NI (EANI) | eani.org.uk |
International Official Sources
| Country | Authority | Website |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | Ministry of Education NZ | moe.govt.nz |
| Singapore | Ministry of Education Singapore (MOE) | moe.gov.sg |
| South Africa | Department of Basic Education | education.gov.za |
Dates published on third-party websites — including holiday planning, travel, and family lifestyle sites — may not reflect the most current official dates. Education departments occasionally revise term dates after initial publication in response to public holidays or government decisions. Checking the official source directly is the only way to confirm accuracy.
