Planning Ahead: Geneva School Holidays 2025-2026

Understanding the school holiday dates for 2025–2026 in Geneva is essential for organising family vacations, activities, and breaks. Managing different calendars can be challenging, especially when schedules vary across public, private, and regional schools. In this guide, we outline the Geneva school holiday calendar, highlight the key breaks and public holidays, and share tips to help international families make the most of these periods. If you need a quick and simple reference for the Lausanne holiday dates, you can find them here.

Overview of Geneva School Holidays 2025-2026

The school holidays in Geneva for 2025 and 2026 provide a clear and structured calendar, helping families plan vacations, childcare, and activities around the key academic breaks throughout the year.

Importance of School Holidays in Switzerland

School holidays in Switzerland give children time to rest, recharge, and explore interests beyond the classroom, while offering families opportunities to travel and enjoy local activities. Although some holidays are nationwide, many vary by canton, so families in Geneva should be aware of these regional differences when coordinating plans or trips.

Differences Between Cantonal and National Holidays

In Switzerland, each canton sets its own school holiday dates, although national public holidays such as Christmas are observed everywhere. This creates variations in school calendars across the country. Families in Geneva should pay attention to both local and national holidays, especially since regional holidays influence the school timetable and can affect planning.

Geneva School Holiday Calendar 2025-2026

Geneva follows an organised school holiday calendar with several scheduled breaks throughout the academic year. For 2025 to 2026, public schools begin in August, and private schools begin in September. The holiday periods offer students time to rest, travel, and participate in seasonal activities. Below is an overview of the key school holidays in Geneva.

Autumn Holidays

The autumn break arrives as temperatures begin to cool and the seasonal colours appear. This is a pleasant moment for families to enjoy nature or take part in indoor activities together.

  • Start Date: October 20, 2025 (Monday)
  • End Date: October 24, 2025 (Friday)

This short pause also gives students a chance to settle into the school year or attend local events.

Christmas Holidays

The Christmas holidays bring festive traditions, family gatherings, and winter celebrations to Geneva. Students have the opportunity to rest at home and enjoy Christmas and the New Year.

  • Start Date: December 22, 2025 (Monday)
  • End Date: January 2, 2026 (Friday)

Holiday markets, decorations, and lights throughout the city make this a special period for families to explore or unwind.

Winter Holidays

The winter break, often called ski week, coincides with the height of the ski season. Families can take advantage of the nearby Alps for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports.

  • Start Date: February 23, 2026 (Monday)
  • End Date: February 27, 2026 (Friday)

It is a popular week for both quick mountain getaways and longer winter holidays.

Spring Holidays

The spring holidays offer a longer pause in the school year and usually align with the Easter period. Warmer weather and longer days make this a great time for travel or engaging in local traditions.

  • Start Date: April 3, 2026 (Friday)
  • End Date: April 17, 2026 (Friday)

Many families use this break for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, or picnics.

Summer Holidays

The summer holidays are the longest break of the academic year and mark the transition to a new school cycle. Warm weather and numerous events across the region create ideal conditions for family activities.

  • Start Date: June 29, 2026 (Monday)
  • End Date: August 18, 2026 (Tuesday)

This extended holiday is perfect for travel, camps, or enjoying time by the lake and in the surrounding mountains.

​Public Holidays in Geneva in 2025 to 2026

Public holidays in Geneva can influence the school calendar, since some overlap with school breaks while others create extra days off for families. Here’s a look at the main public holidays and how they fit into the school year.

Key National Holidays Affecting Schools

Switzerland has several national public holidays that lead to school closures across the country, so it’s helpful for parents to keep these dates in mind. The main public holidays for 2025 to 2026 include:

  • ​Christmas and New Year (December 22, 2025 to January 2, 2026)
  • February Sport Break (February 23 to February 27, 2026
  • Easter Holidays (April 3 to April 17, 2026)
  • Labor Day (May 1, 2026)
  • Ascension Day (May 14 to May 15, 2026)
  • Pentecost (May 25, 2026)

​Geneva-Specific Public Holidays

Geneva also has its own local public holidays, including Jeûne genevois, or Geneva Fast, on September 11, 2025. This day is unique to the canton, and even though it does not always line up neatly with the school calendar, it can feel unusual to have a day off so soon after the new school year begins.

​International School Holidays in Geneva 2025-2026

Geneva has many international schools, and each one follows its own academic calendar. These schools serve a large expatriate community, so their holiday schedules often look a bit different from those of public schools.

Here is an overview of the main international schools in Geneva and their holiday dates.​

International School of Geneva (Ecolint)

  • Christmas Holidays: December 13, 2025 to January 2, 2026
  • February Break: February 23-27, 2026
  • Spring Break: April 3-17, 2026
  • Start of Summer Holiday: June 27, 2026

Collège du Léman

  • Christmas Holidays: December 22, 2025 to January 9, 2026
  • Ski Week: February 23-27, 2026
  • Easter Holidays: April 3-17, 2026
  • Start of Summer Holiday: June 29, 2026

​Geneva English School

  • Christmas Holidays: December 15, 2025 to January 2, 2026
  • February Break: February 23-27, 2026
  • Easter Holidays: April 3-17, 2026
  • Start of Summer Holiday: June 27, 2026

British School of Geneva

  • Winter Break: December 15, 2025 to January 2, 2026
  • Half-term Holiday: February 23-27, 2026
  • Spring Break: April 3-17, 2026
  • Start of Summer Holiday: June 26, 2026​

Institut Florimont

  • Christmas Holidays: December 20, 2025 to January 4, 2026
  • February Break: February 21 to March 1, 2026
  • Easter Holidays: April 3-20, 2026
  • Start of Summer Holiday: June 27, 2026​

Institut International de Lancy

  • Christmas Holidays: December 19, 2025 to January 4, 2026
  • Mid-term Break: February 21 to March 2, 2026
  • Easter Holidays: April 3-19, 2026
  • Start of Summer Holiday: June 27, 2026

It’s always a good idea to double-check dates directly with each school, since international school calendars can shift depending on their curriculum and internal planning. This ensures you have the latest information for organising family trips, childcare, or holiday activities.

Planning Tips for Geneva School Holidays

If you’re getting ready for a trip or looking for ways to keep your child busy during school breaks, here are some helpful ideas for making the most of the Geneva school holidays in 2025-2026.

Travel Ideas for Families

Fun, memorable, and family-friendly travel ideas that make every getaway easy, enjoyable, and full of shared adventures.

  • Explore Switzerland’s Mountains: The Alps are so close that winter and spring holidays are a great time to enjoy them. Whether your family likes skiing, snowboarding, or mountain hiking, it’s an easy way to make the most of Switzerland’s natural beauty.
  • Cultural Getaways: You can also plan a city break to places like Zurich, Lucerne, or Bern. If you feel like going a bit further, France and Italy are close enough for a short and fun escape.

Holiday Camps and Activities for Kids

Geneva has plenty of holiday camps that give kids the chance to learn, explore, and enjoy activities during school breaks. Here are some well-known options:

  • Ecole Hôtelière Genève Semaine Découverte

This program is designed for teens aged 15 to 19 who are interested in hospitality or culinary arts. It runs for a week and gives them hands-on experience in areas like food preparation and customer service. It’s a great way for teens to test the waters if they’re thinking about a future career in this field.

  • TutorsPlus IB Easter Revision Course

This course offers personalised academic support from expert IB teachers. The lessons focus on improving exam techniques, strengthening problem-solving skills, and building confidence when approaching the IB curriculum.

  • TutorsPlus IB Internal Assessment Courses

TutorsPlus also offers IA courses that help students understand exactly what is required for their Internal Assessments across different subjects. The courses are taught by qualified IB examiners and teachers who know what students need to aim for top marks.

  • Lycée Töpffer Summer Camp

Lycée Töpffer’s summer camp gives children aged 9 to 18 a mix of academic courses and fun recreational activities, all in a friendly environment.

  • Ecolint Geneva Summer Camps

Ecolint provides camps for children aged 3 to 16, with options that include arts, sports, and academic enrichment. Kids can try new interests, build new skills, and enjoy a fun and multicultural setting.

How Geneva School Holidays Compare to Other Cantons

School holiday dates are not the same across all Swiss cantons, so it really helps to understand these differences, especially for families who need to juggle multiple schedules or plan trips that involve different parts of the country.

Common Differences in School Calendars

Geneva’s school holidays are generally similar to those in other major Swiss cities, but there are still some clear variations. For example, Zurich might schedule its winter break on different dates, and some holidays, such as Geneva Fast, are specific to Geneva. These cantonal differences can make planning a bit more complicated if you do not keep them in mind.

Coordinating Holidays for Inter-Cantonal Families

For families who live across different cantons, coordinating school schedules becomes even more important. If one parent lives in another canton, the children may end up with completely different holiday dates. Understanding how the calendars differ makes it easier to organise family trips, special events, or simply make sure everyone gets time off together.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the Geneva school holidays for 2025 to 2026 makes it much easier to plan the year ahead. The breaks are spaced out well throughout the school year, so there is plenty of time for resting, travelling, or taking part in holiday activities. Whether you want to explore more of Switzerland or plan a family getaway, knowing the school holiday dates and public holidays in Geneva will help everything run more smoothly and feel more enjoyable.