Back to school and school holidays in Geneva 2026-2027: all the dates

Start of the school year in Geneva: Monday 17 August 2026. Autumn holidays: from 19 to 23 October 2026.

Here is the full calendar of the 2026-2027 school year in Geneva, followed by our family outing ideas for each holiday period.

Geneva school calendar 2026-2027

These dates are published by the Canton of Geneva (ge.ch). One Geneva quirk: the autumn holidays last only one week, the shortest in French-speaking Switzerland, but the canton makes up for it with the Jeûne genevois in September. Always check your school’s official calendar before booking.

When does the 2026 school year start in Geneva?

The 2026-2027 school year starts on Monday 17 August 2026, the same day as Vaud, Neuchâtel and the Jura. Valais starts on 20 August and Fribourg on 27 August. You still have the first two weeks of August for one last outing: it is still peak season for the beaches of Lake Geneva, the outdoor swimming pools and boat trips with the Mouettes and the CGN.

The Jeûne genevois: a Thursday off in September

On Thursday 10 September 2026, the canton of Geneva marks the Jeûne genevois: a cantonal public holiday, with schools closed. Many families take the Friday off too and make a long weekend of it. It is an excellent time for a day out before the weather turns: our free activities in Geneva and our ideas on the right bank and in the south of the canton give you plenty to fill the long weekend.

Autumn holidays: one busy week

From 19 to 23 October 2026, back to school on Monday 26 October. Just one week, so it needs filling well. In October the forests turn colour and themed nature trails and farms open to children come into their own. When the rain sets in, you move under cover with our rainy day ideas in Geneva, interactive museums and family cinema screenings.

Christmas holidays: ice rinks and lights

From 24 December 2026 to 8 January 2027, back to school on Monday 11 January. Two full weeks: ice rinks, Christmas markets and lights in the city. Under cover, museums and sports and leisure activities offer lovely warm interludes.

February holidays: a week in the warm or in the snow

From 15 to 19 February 2027, back to school on Monday 22 February. A short week, often split between a stay in the snow and days in the city. At home, go for museums, escape games and indoor play parks.

Easter holidays: nature wakes up

From 26 March to 9 April 2027, back to school on Monday 12 April. Two weeks just as everything turns green again: it is the season for playgrounds reopening, for castles and for the first stroller walks along the Rhône and the Arve.

Summer holidays: head for the lake

Last day of school on Friday 2 July 2027, summer holidays from 5 July to 25 August 2027. Nearly eight weeks to enjoy the beaches of Lake Geneva, the water parks, minigolf and boat outings.

And in the other cantons?

Dates change from one canton to another. Find the school holidays for Vaud, Fribourg, Valais, Neuchâtel and Jura too. To compare all the dates at a glance, see our overview: all the school holidays in French-speaking Switzerland.

And after the holidays?

Whatever the period, find all our outing ideas sorted by age, season and region on Kidora, including all the activities in the canton of Geneva. And so you are never short of ideas, join the 1000+ families subscribed to our weekly newsletter.