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 30 January 2026 for HH; the cards below show every group.

Exact dates

By state group

Full overview
HH

30 January 2026

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

31 January 2026 - 6 February 2026

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

2 February 2026 - 7 February 2026

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

2 February 2026 - 3 February 2026

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

9 February 2026 - 20 February 2026

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

9 February 2026 - 21 February 2026

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

16 February 2026 - 20 February 2026

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

16 February 2026 - 21 February 2026

Thüringen
6 days
School year 2025/26 46% · 168 days until winter break
Data basis

Official KMK dates, grouped by state

The displayed date rows are grouped from official KMK school-holiday data. Movable school-free days, local arrangements and school-specific deviations are still separate checks.

KMK school-holiday regulation KMK holiday calendar
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 table on this page shows the exact range for each group.

Do winter break mean parents are automatically off work?

No. Winter break affect school schedules and childcare planning, but work leave still depends on employment rules and approved vacation days.

How should I plan around winter break?

Winter break is especially relevant for ski trips, childcare and staggered travel demand. Use the planner for public holidays, calendar weeks for project timing and the calendar subscription for ongoing updates.