Why Brussels Has Two School Calendars
The French Community (Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles) runs the French-language schools. The Flemish Community (Vlaamse Gemeenschap) runs the Flemish-language schools. Each publishes its own holiday schedule.
The dates sometimes overlap. Sometimes they do not. If your child attends a school in one system, the other calendar does not apply.
When Is the Brussels Toussaint Break in 2026?
Both systems break around All Saints' Day. In 2026:
French Community: Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November.
Flemish Community: Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November.
Same week for both. School resumes Tuesday 2 November.
Christmas Holidays: Two Weeks
Both systems get two weeks.
French Community: Monday 21 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
Flemish Community: Monday 21 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
Identical. School resumes Monday 4 January 2027.
When Do Brussels Carnival Holidays Fall in 2026?
This is where the calendars diverge.
French Community: Monday 22 February to Sunday 28 February.
Flemish Community: Monday 8 February to Sunday 14 February.
Two weeks apart. The Flemish break is earlier. The French break is later. If you have children in different systems, you have two separate weeks off.
When Is the Brussels Spring Break in 2026?
French Community: Monday 5 April to Sunday 18 April.
Flemish Community: Monday 3 May to Sunday 16 May.
A full four-week gap. The French break falls around Easter Sunday (5 April 2026). The Flemish break lands later, in May. The Flemish break includes Ascension Day (Thursday 14 May) and Pentecost Monday (Monday 17 May), which are public holidays.
Summer Holidays: July and August, Two Months
Both systems start summer break on Saturday 4 July 2026. School resumes Monday 30 August 2026.
Identical. No split.
Why Is Wednesday Afternoon Free in Brussels Schools?
Every Wednesday, primary and secondary schools finish at lunch. The afternoon is free. This is traditional across Belgium. Children use it for sports, music lessons, scouting, or simply time at home.
No official schedule change for parents. Many after-school activities run Wednesday 14:00-17:00.
Flemish and French Community Days
Two regional public holidays affect school closures:
Flemish Community Day: 11 July. Schools in the Flemish system are closed.
French Community Day: 27 September. Schools in the French system are closed.
In 2026, 11 July is a Saturday. No school closure. 27 September is a Sunday. No school closure. If either date falls on a weekday, schools close.
Quick Reference Table: Brussels School Holidays 2026
| Holiday | French Community | Flemish Community |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn (Toussaint) | 26 Oct, 1 Nov | 26 Oct, 1 Nov |
| Christmas | 21 Dec 2026-3 Jan 2027 | 21 Dec 2026-3 Jan 2027 |
| Carnival | 22 Feb, 28 Feb | 8 Feb, 14 Feb |
| Easter/Spring | 5 Apr, 18 Apr | 3 May, 16 May |
| Summer | 4 Jul, 29 Aug | 4 Jul, 29 Aug |
| Community Day | 27 Sep (Sun, no closure) | 11 Jul (Sat, no closure) |
What This Means for You
If you are a parent with children in both systems, plan for two separate Carnival breaks and two separate spring breaks. The French system's spring break lands in April. The Flemish system's lands in May.
If you are a parent in a single system, ignore the other column. Your child's school calendar is the only one that matters.
If you are an employer scheduling staff leave, note that the Flemish spring break (3 May, 16 May) overlaps with Ascension and Pentecost public holidays. Many staff may take bridge days. Plan for reduced availability in that window.
For the full list of Belgian public holidays, including those that fall during school breaks, see /belgium-public-holidays-2026. For the daily rhythm of school and activity hours, see /brussels-daily-rhythm.