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

Start of the school year in French-speaking Valais: Thursday 20 August 2026. Autumn holidays: from 15 to 25 October 2026.

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

Valais school calendar 2026-2027

These dates concern French-speaking Valais and follow the cantonal school plan relayed by the CIIP. One Valais quirk: the February holidays are called Carnival, and the school year ends earlier than elsewhere in French-speaking Switzerland. Always check your school’s official calendar before booking.

When does the 2026 school year start in Valais?

The 2026-2027 school year starts on Thursday 20 August 2026 for French-speaking Valais. That is three days after Vaud, Geneva, Neuchâtel and the Jura (17 August), and a week before Fribourg (27 August). So you still have the first two and a half weeks of August for one last escape: it is still peak season for the mountains as a family and the summer toboggan runs.

Autumn holidays: forests, chestnuts and the last fine days

From 15 to 25 October 2026, with school resuming on Monday 26 October. In Valais, October is one of the finest months of the year: low light, golden larches and still-mild temperatures in the valley. It is the season for walks along the bisses, themed nature trails and little tourist trains still in service. When the rain arrives, the museums for children in Valais and our ideas for rainy days take over.

Christmas holidays: first snow and ice rinks

From 24 December 2026 to 8 January 2027, back to school on Monday 11 January. The Valais resorts open, village ice rinks are set up and Christmas markets light up the towns. Two full weeks to alternate between the slopes, outings in the warm and free activities.

Carnival holidays: the heart of the winter season

From 8 to 12 February 2027, back to school on Monday 15 February. A short but busy week, right in the heart of the season: skiing, sledging, snowshoeing and ice rinks. It is also the time of the Valais carnivals, which are a big deal in the villages. For days without snow, head for the museums and the indoor play parks.

Easter holidays: the valley wakes up

From 26 March to 2 April 2027, back to school on Monday 5 April. Only one week in Valais, but at the best moment: the Rhône valley turns green again while the resorts are still skiing. It is the ideal season for castles, gorges and waterfalls and the first stroller walks.

Summer holidays: mountain lakes and wide open spaces

Classes end on Friday 25 June 2027 — Valais is the first canton in French-speaking Switzerland to break up. On the programme: mountain lakes, adventure and treetop parks, outdoor pools and the bisses to follow as a family.

And in the other cantons?

Dates change from one canton to another. Find the school holidays for Vaud, Geneva, Fribourg, 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 Valais. And so you are never short of ideas, join the 1000+ families subscribed to our weekly newsletter.