Victorian school holidays in 2026 fall in April, late June to July, September to October, and December to January. These dates apply to Victorian government schools, while Catholic and independent schools may vary slightly.
The 2026 Victorian school year is useful for planning family travel, childcare, school holiday activities, Melbourne events and long weekends. This page includes official term dates, parent-friendly holiday periods, public holiday overlaps and Melbourne activity planning tips.
Important: Victorian government school term dates are set by the Department of Education. Independent and Catholic schools can vary by a few days, so always confirm dates with your child’s school before booking travel or childcare.
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VIC School Holidays 2026 at a Glance
The main Victorian school holiday periods in 2026 are 3–19 April, 27 June–12 July, 19 September–4 October, and from 19 December into late January 2027.
These parent-friendly dates include the weekends immediately before and after the official school vacation weeks, which is usually how families plan travel and childcare.
| Holiday Period | Parent-Friendly Dates | Planning Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn holidays | Friday 3 April – Sunday 19 April 2026 | Includes Easter long weekend |
| Winter holidays | Saturday 27 June – Sunday 12 July 2026 | Good for indoor activities, snow trips and winter events |
| Spring holidays | Saturday 19 September – Sunday 4 October 2026 | Includes Grand Final Eve on Friday 25 September |
| Summer holidays | Saturday 19 December 2026 – late January 2027 | Longest break of the school year |
Official Victorian School Term Dates 2026
The official 2026 Victorian government school terms run from 27 January to 2 April, 20 April to 26 June, 13 July to 18 September, and 5 October to 18 December.
| Term | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Tuesday 27 January 2026* | Thursday 2 April 2026 |
| Term 2 | Monday 20 April 2026 | Friday 26 June 2026 |
| Term 3 | Monday 13 July 2026 | Friday 18 September 2026 |
| Term 4 | Monday 5 October 2026 | Friday 18 December 2026 |
*Students in Victorian government schools start Term 1 on Wednesday, 28 January 2026. Teachers return the day before.
Official School Vacation Dates vs Family Holiday Dates
Official school vacation dates usually refer to weekday school holidays, while families often plan from the first weekend after term ends to the final Sunday before school returns.
This is why some calendars show winter holidays as Monday 29 June to Friday 10 July, while families often treat the break as Saturday 27 June to Sunday 12 July.
Planning tip: Use weekday official dates for school administration, but use weekend-to-weekend dates when booking accommodation, flights, childcare or Melbourne school holiday activities.
How Long Are Victorian School Holidays in 2026?
Victorian school holidays in 2026 include three shorter term breaks of about two weeks and one long summer break of about six weeks.
Autumn
About 2 weeks, extended by Easter.
Winter
About 2 weeks, ideal for indoor activities and winter trips.
Spring
About 2 weeks, with Grand Final Eve inside the break.
Summer
About 6 weeks, the longest school holiday period.
Victorian Public Holidays During School Holidays 2026
The most important public holiday overlap for Victorian school holidays in 2026 is Easter during the autumn break, followed by Grand Final Eve during the spring break.
| Public Holiday | 2026 Date | School Holiday Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April | First day after Term 1 ends |
| Easter Monday | Monday 6 April | Creates a strong autumn travel window |
| King’s Birthday | Monday 8 June | Falls during Term 2, before winter holidays |
| Grand Final Eve | Friday 25 September | Falls during spring school holidays |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25 December | Falls during summer holidays |
| Boxing Day | Saturday 26 December + Monday 28 December | Extra public holiday during summer break |
For a full list of statewide dates, see our Victorian Public Holidays 2026 page.
Best Times to Plan Family Travel in 2026
The best times for Victorian family travel in 2026 are Easter school holidays, winter school holidays, spring school holidays and the summer break after 18 December.
The autumn break is usually the most competitive because it includes Easter. Accommodation, regional attractions and flights can become expensive quickly.
| Travel Period | Best For | Booking Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn holidays | Easter trips, regional Victoria, family events | Book early because Easter demand is high |
| Winter holidays | Snow trips, museums, indoor attractions | Plan indoor backups for wet weather |
| Spring holidays | Outdoor activities, gardens, day trips | Use Grand Final Eve for longer plans |
| Summer holidays | Beaches, road trips, Christmas events | Book accommodation early for late December |
Planning Melbourne Activities During School Holidays
Melbourne school holidays are best planned around weather, age group, transport, cost and whether you need indoor or outdoor activities.
Melbourne attractions, museums, libraries, galleries and event venues often release school holiday programs several weeks before each break.
Autumn Holidays
Good for Easter events, museums, galleries, city attractions and family day trips.
Winter Holidays
Best for indoor attractions, science programs, theatre, workshops and rainy-day activities.
Spring Holidays
Good for gardens, zoos, outdoor festivals, markets and regional day trips.
Summer Holidays
Best for beaches, outdoor cinemas, Christmas events, water play and longer road trips.
If you are planning things to do during the break, also check our things to do in Melbourne with kids, Melbourne events and Melbourne attractions pages.
Do All Victorian Schools Follow the Same 2026 Dates?
No. Victorian government schools follow the official government calendar, but Catholic and independent schools may vary their start dates, finish dates and pupil-free days.
If you are booking flights, accommodation, camps or childcare, check directly with your school before relying on a general calendar.
Common Planning Mistakes
The most common mistakes are assuming all schools use identical dates, booking Easter travel too late, ignoring pupil-free days and forgetting that public holidays change travel demand.
Only Checking One Calendar
Independent and Catholic schools may differ from government school dates.
Booking Easter Too Late
The autumn break overlaps Easter, so prices and availability can change quickly.
Forgetting Pupil-Free Days
Schools may add curriculum days that are not shown in the state calendar.
Ignoring Weather
Winter and spring plans need indoor backup options in Melbourne.
FAQs
When are the Victorian school holidays in 2026?
The main Victorian school holiday periods in 2026 are 3–19 April, 27 June–12 July, 19 September–4 October, and from 19 December into late January 2027.
When do students start school in Victoria in 2026?
Students in Victorian government schools start Term 1 on Wednesday 28 January 2026.
When does Term 1 end in Victoria in 2026?
Term 1 ends on Thursday 2 April 2026 for Victorian government schools.
When are the winter school holidays in Victoria in 2026?
The winter school holidays run from the end of Term 2 on Friday 26 June until Term 3 begins on Monday 13 July 2026. Families usually plan from Saturday 27 June to Sunday 12 July.
When are the spring school holidays in Victoria in 2026?
The spring school holidays follow Term 3, which ends on Friday 18 September, and run until Term 4 begins on Monday 5 October 2026.
Do private schools follow the same holidays?
Not always. Independent and Catholic schools in Victoria may vary dates slightly, especially start dates, finish dates and pupil-free days.
Which Victorian school holiday is the longest?
The summer holidays are the longest Victorian school holiday period, running for about six weeks from December into late January.
Can I take my child out of school during term time?
Yes, but schools generally encourage families to plan holidays during official term breaks. Extended absences may require approval or explanation.
Final Planning Tip
The smartest way to plan Victorian school holidays in 2026 is to use the official term dates first, then check public holiday overlaps, school-specific dates and Melbourne activity calendars before booking.
For most families, the biggest planning pressure points will be Easter, winter indoor activities, Grand Final week and the Christmas-to-January summer period.