Bern Publishes School Holiday Order Through 2031/32 (Switzerland, June 2026)
The Canton of Bern issued the holiday order for kindergarten and compulsory schools in the German-speaking part of the canton for the 2026/27 to 2031/32 school years. The order sets the recurring holiday weeks and the first fixed date ranges for 2026/27.
The Canton of Bern issued the holiday order for kindergarten and compulsory schools in the German-speaking part of the canton for the 2026/27 to 2031/32 school years. The order sets the recurring holiday weeks and the first fixed date ranges for 2026/27.
What Changed?
Bern fixed the official holiday planning cycle for German-speaking kindergarten, primary, and lower secondary schools through 2031/32. The order also keeps defined exceptions for February sports holidays, Alpine tourism municipalities, and the Biel/Bienne area.
Old System vs New System
Schools and municipalities were working from the previous holiday planning cycle. The next multi-year order for the German-speaking compulsory school sector had not yet been published for the 2026/27 to 2031/32 period.
The new order sets the holiday structure for the next six school years. For 2026/27, autumn holidays run from 19 September to 11 October 2026, winter holidays from 24 December 2026 at noon to 10 January 2027, spring holidays from 10 April to 25 April 2027, and summer holidays from 3 July to 15 August 2027.
Who Is Affected?
Student Impact
Students and families can plan holidays and care arrangements using a fixed cantonal calendar for several school years.
Parent / Family Impact
Parents receive earlier certainty for childcare, travel, work scheduling, and coordination with municipal school dates.
School / Institution Impact
Schools and municipalities can align yearly planning, staffing, transport, and room use with the published holiday windows and listed exceptions.
Teacher / Staff Impact
Teachers receive a fixed planning basis for term schedules, parent communication, and assessment timing.
Key Dates
- 2026-06-01: holiday order dated
- 2026-09-19: first listed autumn holiday period begins for 2026/27
- 2031/32: last school year covered by the order.
What To Do
- Families and schools should use the cantonal order when planning school-year dates and check whether local exceptions apply.
What To Watch Next
Municipalities and schools may publish local calendars that apply the cantonal order and any permitted exceptions.
Global Context
Switzerland’s school calendars are cantonal, so multi-year cantonal holiday orders are needed for comparison of regional term structures and for families moving between cantons.
Source Record
Source type: school calendar order
Source name: Canton of Bern, Education and Culture Directorate