School holidays

Winter break 2026

Exact school-holiday ranges by federal state or school group, with planning links and subscription options.

Answer

When is it?

Winter break 2026 is staggered by federal state or school group. The first range is for HH; the cards below show every group. Winter break is especially relevant for ski trips, childcare and staggered travel demand.

Exact dates

By state group

Full overview
HH

Hamburg Hamburg
1 day
School year 2025/26 41% · 151 days until winter break
ST

to

Sachsen-Anhalt Sachsen-Anhalt
7 days
School year 2025/26 42% · 152 days until winter break
BE and BB

to

Berlin Berlin Brandenburg Brandenburg
6 days
School year 2025/26 42% · 154 days until winter break
HB and NI

to

Bremen Bremen Niedersachsen Niedersachsen
2 days
School year 2025/26 42% · 154 days until winter break
MV

to

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
12 days
School year 2025/26 44% · 161 days until winter break
SN

to

Sachsen Sachsen
13 days
School year 2025/26 44% · 161 days until winter break
BY and SL

to

Bayern Bayern Saarland Saarland
5 days
School year 2025/26 46% · 168 days until winter break
TH

to

Thüringen Thüringen
6 days
School year 2025/26 46% · 168 days until winter break
What to do next

Use the date, then plan around it

Winter break is especially relevant for ski trips, childcare and staggered demand in holiday regions.

Families

Childcare first

School-free weekdays still need childcare or approved leave.

Work

Not automatically off

School holidays do not replace employment leave rules.

Travel

Expect demand peaks

Starts and ends can affect traffic, booking windows and family destinations.

FAQ

Common questions about winter break

Short answers about state differences, work leave and planning.

Are winter break dates the same in every federal state?

No. Winter break dates differ by federal state or school group. The Winter break table shows the exact range for each group.

Do winter break mean parents are automatically off work?

No. State school calendars change care dates, not workplace leave. Winter break is especially relevant for ski trips, childcare and staggered travel demand.

How should I plan around winter break?

Winter break is especially relevant for ski trips, childcare and staggered travel demand. Use the federal-state calendar before fixing childcare, travel or leave.

Data basis

Official KMK dates, grouped by state

Winter break is especially relevant for ski trips, childcare and staggered travel demand. KMK rows define the range; federal-state or school exceptions require a separate check.

KMK school-holiday regulation KMK holiday calendar How we maintain this data