This is your complete guide to the 2026 Basel school holidays, with all the key dates, what each break is called in German, and practical tips for families living in Basel. The dates below are the official school holiday dates for Basel-Stadt (the canton where ELABasel International School is located). If your child attends school in Basel-Landschaft, Solothurn or Aargau, check your cantonal education website, as dates vary slightly across Swiss cantons. At ELABasel International School, we follow Basel-Stadt's calendar closely, with some adjustments for our Kita and international curriculum. You can find our full-term dates on the ELABasel calendar page.
Basel-Stadt School Holidays 2026 at a Glance
Here are the key 2026 school holiday periods for Basel-Stadt, in order:
Below, we explain each break in more detail and share tips for making the most of it as a family in Basel.
Basel School Holiday Dates Explained
Sports Holidays / Fasnachtsferien (February–March 2026)
The first major break of the calendar year runs from 14 February to 1 March 2026. Often called the Sportferien (sports holidays) in other parts of Switzerland, in Basel these two weeks are closely linked with Basel Fasnacht, the city's world-famous three-day carnival.
Basel Fasnacht 2026 begins with Morgestraich at 4am on Monday, 16 February. If you have never experienced it, this is an unmissable part of living in Basel. Children are welcome at many Fasnacht events, and most schools and Kitas are closed for the duration. After Fasnacht, many families use the remaining week for a ski trip to the Swiss Alps — the weather is usually ideal for mountain activities.
For families staying in Basel, our Fasnacht Vacation Programme runs for those two weeks with themed activities designed for the carnival season. Indoor sports, creative crafts, STEM workshops and plenty of fun for children aged 4 to 12, open to all children in Basel — not just ELABasel students.
Spring Holidays / Frühlingsferien (March–April 2026)
The Spring Holidays run from 28 March to 12 April 2026, covering the Easter period (Good Friday is 3 April and Easter Monday is 6 April 2026). This two-week break is popular for family travel, whether that is a trip south to the Italian lakes, a visit home to family abroad, or simply enjoying the Swiss countryside as it comes into bloom.
For families staying in Basel, this is a beautiful time of year. The Rhine paths are coming alive, Lange Erlen and Merian Gardens are in full bloom, and outdoor activities become viable again after winter.
Our Spring Vacation Programme combines creative workshops with outdoor activities as the weather warms up. Recent Spring weeks have included 'Explore China in Basel' — a themed week of Asian cooking, crafts, painting, calligraphy and basic Chinese language — and 'Wizarding World of STEM', blending science experiments and maths challenges with a magical theme. A fun mix of indoor and outdoor adventures, hot lunch included, open to all children in Basel.
Summer Holidays / Sommerferien (June–August 2026)
The longest break of the year runs from 27 June to 9 August 2026 — six full weeks. Swiss summer holidays are shorter than in some other European countries, but they are perfectly timed with the peak of European summer travel season.
Six weeks is a long time to fill with activities, especially for younger children. Many families split the summer into three parts: a family holiday abroad, time with grandparents, and a week or two of holiday camps in Basel to keep children busy while parents work.
Our Summer Vacation Programme runs throughout much of the break with weekly themed camps — each week has its own focus, from sports and adventure to creative arts and science exploration. Many families book multiple weeks to get through the summer with their children engaged and active. Hot lunch is included every day, small group sizes, and open to all children in Basel.
Autumn Holidays / Herbstferien (September–October 2026)
The Autumn Holidays run from 26 September to 11 October 2026. This two-week break is often a quieter travel period and can be a lovely time to explore Switzerland as the leaves change colour. It is also a popular time for shorter international trips, as the weather across Europe is still mild but the crowds have gone.
For families staying in Basel, the Autumn Holidays are perfect for forest walks in nearby Wenkenpark, visits to Basel Zoo, or day trips to the Black Forest just across the German border.
Our Autumn Vacation Programme has become a highlight of the ELABasel calendar. Recent weeks have included Sports Week — featuring basketball, football, karate and slacklining with expert coaching at Vitis Sportscenter in Allschwil — and Spooky Craft Camp, a Halloween-themed week of creative workshops and seasonal fun. Two action-packed weeks of themed activities, open to all children in Basel.
Christmas Holidays / Weihnachtsferien (December 2026)
The year ends with the Christmas Holidays, running from 19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Basel comes alive during the festive season, with the Basel Christmas Market (Basler Weihnacht) regularly ranked among the most beautiful in Europe.
This break coincides with Christmas Day, Stephanstag (26 December), New Year's Day, and Berchtoldstag (2 January), all of which are public holidays in Basel-Stadt.
ELABasel does not run a Vacation Programme over the Christmas break — this is a time for our staff and children to rest with their families. If you are looking for Christmas activities in Basel, the city's Christmas markets, ice rinks, and cultural venues offer plenty to keep children entertained throughout the holidays.
Planning Your Family Year Around the Basel School Calendar
A few practical tips for families making the most of the 2026 Basel school calendar:
Book travel early, especially for the summer and spring holidays. Swiss families plan their holidays well in advance, and flights and hotels to popular destinations fill up quickly.
Keep a few days unscheduled each holiday for spontaneous family time — a picnic at Lange Erlen, a Rhine swim, or a visit to one of Basel's many museums.
Use the shorter two-week breaks for regional trips rather than long-haul travel. Italy, southern France and the Black Forest are all within easy driving or train distance of Basel.
If both parents work, build childcare into your planning from the start. Vacation programmes, day camps and au pair support should all be booked in advance.
Save the calendar to your phone. Most Swiss cantonal education websites offer downloadable iCal or PDF versions of the school holiday calendar.
About ELABasel International School
ELABasel is an independent multilingual international school in the heart of Basel, serving children from Kita (3 months) through to Secondary (age 14). Founded in 1993 and accredited by Cambridge and COBIS, we are known as The Swiss British School and offer multilingual English-German-French education across two historic campuses in central Basel.
Our school delivers the internationally recognised Cambridge curriculum, offering clear pathways to universities around the world. ELABasel is a vibrant and nurturing community that prides itself on its strong family ethos, supporting each child’s academic, personal and social development.
Whether you are considering a move to Basel or simply wish to learn more about our school and community, we invite you to book a personal tour and experience the ELABasel welcome for yourself.
What About Basel-Landschaft School Holidays?
If you live in Basel-Landschaft (Allschwil, Binningen, Bottmingen, Muttenz, Riehen and surrounding gemeinde), your child may follow a slightly different school holiday calendar. Basel-Landschaft publishes its own cantonal holiday schedule, which can differ from Basel-Stadt by a few days or a week.
Always check directly with your child's school if you are planning travel around the holidays, as international schools like ELABasel may also have their own term dates that do not perfectly match other cantonal calendars.
Does ELABasel Follow the Basel-Stadt Holiday Calendar?
ELABasel International School broadly aligns with the Basel-Stadt holiday calendar, but with some key differences. Our Kita (early years) runs for 48 weeks a year, closing only for four weeks during the summer break and selected public holidays. Our Primary and Secondary terms follow a similar rhythm to Basel-Stadt but may begin or end a few days earlier or later depending on the academic year.
For the most accurate and up-to-date ELABasel term dates, please visit our calendar page. Our team is always happy to answer questions from prospective families.
What About Basel-Landschaft School Holidays?
If you live in Basel-Landschaft (Allschwil, Binningen, Bottmingen, Muttenz, Riehen and surrounding gemeinde), your child may follow a slightly different school holiday calendar. Basel-Landschaft publishes its own cantonal holiday schedule, which can differ from Basel-Stadt by a few days or a week.
Always check directly with your child's school if you are planning travel around the holidays, as international schools like ELABasel may also have their own term dates that do not perfectly match other cantonal calendars.
Does ELABasel Follow the Basel-Stadt Holiday Calendar?
ELABasel International School broadly aligns with the Basel-Stadt holiday calendar, but with some key differences. Our Kita (early years) runs for 48 weeks a year, closing only for four weeks during the summer break and selected public holidays. Our Primary and Secondary terms follow a similar rhythm to Basel-Stadt but may begin or end a few days earlier or later depending on the academic year.
For the most accurate and up-to-date ELABasel term dates, please visit our calendar page. Our team is always happy to answer questions from prospective families.