Families, students, and teachers across Victoria often plan trips, activities, and family events around the school holiday calendar. Knowing exactly when each break begins makes it easier to book accommodation, organize childcare, or simply enjoy time away from school.
For the remainder of 2026, the next Victorian school holiday period begins on Saturday, 19 September 2026, immediately after the conclusion of Term 3. Another major break follows in December when the long summer holidays begin.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Victoria school holiday dates and why they matter.
Next Holiday Date
The next Victorian school holidays will start on Saturday, 19 September 2026.
Students will complete Term 3 on Friday, 18 September 2026, with the holiday period beginning the following day. This spring break gives students a chance to recharge before returning for the final school term of the year.
Many Victorian families use this break for domestic travel, camping trips, sporting events, and visiting relatives before the busy end-of-year season.
Spring Break 2026
The Spring school holidays are one of the most popular breaks in Victoria thanks to the pleasant weather across much of the state.
The holiday period starts on:
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Schools resume for Term 4 on Monday, 5 October 2026.
The two-week break allows students to relax before completing their final assessments, school events, and graduation activities later in the year.
Because spring weather is generally mild, many attractions throughout Victoria experience increased visitor numbers during this period.
Summer Holidays
The final school term concludes on Friday, 18 December 2026.
The long summer holidays begin on:
Saturday, 19 December 2026
This is the longest break in the Victorian school calendar and continues until the beginning of the 2027 school year.
The summer holiday period includes Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s celebrations, and Australia’s peak holiday travel season. Families often book accommodation well in advance because demand for coastal destinations and regional attractions is especially high.
Why These Dates Matter
Victorian school holiday dates affect more than just students.
Parents often coordinate annual leave around school breaks, while tourism operators prepare for increased visitor numbers. Airlines, accommodation providers, theme parks, museums, zoos, and entertainment venues frequently experience higher demand during these periods.
Booking travel early can often provide more accommodation choices and better prices, especially for popular destinations such as the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, Mornington Peninsula, and the Victorian High Country.
School Terms
Victoria follows a four-term academic calendar each year.
Each term is separated by scheduled holiday periods that give students time to rest before beginning the next stage of learning.
For the remainder of 2026:
- Term 3 ends: Friday, 18 September 2026
- Spring holidays begin: Saturday, 19 September 2026
- Term 4 begins: Monday, 5 October 2026
- Term 4 ends: Friday, 18 December 2026
- Summer holidays begin: Saturday, 19 December 2026
Independent and Catholic schools generally follow a similar calendar, although individual schools may have slight variations. Parents should always confirm dates directly with their child’s school if they are planning important travel.
Planning Ahead
School holiday periods are among the busiest travel seasons in Victoria.
Whether you’re planning a short weekend getaway or an extended family holiday, making arrangements early can help avoid higher prices and limited availability.
Many community programs, holiday sports clinics, art workshops, science camps, and recreational activities also open registrations several months before each school break.
Parents looking for childcare during holidays should also book early, as vacation care services often reach capacity quickly.
Public Holidays
Several public holidays occur near or during school holiday periods throughout the year, creating opportunities for longer weekends and family outings.
However, public holiday dates are separate from school holiday dates. While they occasionally overlap, they are determined independently by the Victorian Government.
Families should check both calendars when organizing travel to maximize available time off.
Travel Tips
If you’re travelling during the September or December school holidays, a little preparation can make the experience smoother.
Consider booking accommodation several months in advance, particularly for beach destinations and major tourist regions. Road traffic is usually heavier on the opening and closing weekends of school holidays, so travelling outside peak hours may reduce delays.
Checking weather forecasts before departure is also helpful, especially if you’re planning outdoor activities across regional Victoria.
Looking Beyond 2026
Parents often begin planning the following year’s holidays well before schools reopen.
The Victorian Department of Education publishes future term dates in advance, allowing families to schedule holidays, sporting commitments, and special events without conflicting with the school calendar.
Keeping track of official school term announcements also helps avoid booking travel during teaching periods.
The next Victorian school holidays begin on Saturday, 19 September 2026, following the end of Term 3 on Friday, 18 September 2026. After students return for the final term, the summer holidays start on Saturday, 19 December 2026, marking the beginning of the longest school break of the year.
