School Holidays in Lausanne 2025-2026: Official Calendar

Planning ahead for school holidays can be a pain, especially as public and private schools have their own calendar.

To make life easier, we’ve gathered all the important Lausanne school holiday dates, public holidays, and international school calendars in one place. If you want a quick, at a glance, reference to the Geneva holidays you can find it here.

Whether your child attends a public or private international school, this guide will help you stay on top of the Lausanne holiday calendar for 2025-2026.

Overview of Lausanne School Holidays 2025/2026 Academic Year

If you’re based in Lausanne or nearby, knowing the dates for the Vaud/Lausanne school holidays for 2025 and 2026 is essential for organising family travel, booking camps, or even just finding time to rest and chill out “en famille”.

Importance of School Holidays in Switzerland

School holidays in Switzerland are strictly observed in public schools. Families are expected to respect the school calendar, and unauthorised absences outside of official breaks can lead to fines or formal warnings. This makes it important to know when the official school breaks in Lausanne take place.

Differences Between Cantonal and National Holidays

Switzerland has both national holidays and canton-specific public holidays. In the canton of Vaud, which includes Lausanne, schools follow a calendar set by cantonal authorities. While national holidays apply across the country, the dates of school holidays such as autumn, winter, spring, or summer breaks are determined by each canton.

Lausanne School Holiday Calendar 2025-2026

The following are the official public school holidays in Lausanne, based on the 2025 academic calendar set by the Canton of Vaud.

Summer Holidays

The summer holidays are the longest school break in Lausanne and mark the official end of the academic year. It’s a chance for children to rest, travel, or attend enriching camps and courses.

Start Date: 28th of June 2025 (Saturday)
End Date: 17th of August 2025 (Sunday)

This extended break is ideal for family vacations abroad, residential camps, or simply enjoying Switzerland’s lakes and outdoor spaces.

Autumn Holidays

Autumn holidays come during a quieter time of the year, offering a pause before the busier winter term begins. The crisp autumn air makes it an excellent time for local hikes and scenic outings.

Start Date: 11th of October 2025 (Saturday)
End Date: 26th of October 2025 (Sunday)

It’s a popular period for short breaks within Switzerland or neighbouring countries, with many families choosing to stay local.

Christmas Holidays

Christmas holidays mark the end of the calendar year and give families time to celebrate together. It’s also a peak season for winter travel and festive activities throughout Lausanne and beyond.

Start Date: 20th of December 2025 (Saturday)
End Date: 4th of January 2026 (Sunday)

Many use this break for ski trips, visiting relatives, or enjoying festive events around the region.

Easter Holidays

Easter holidays in Lausanne offer families a welcome break after the long winter months. The weather begins to warm, making it a good time for travel, outdoor activities, or enrolling children in spring camps.

Start Date: 3rd of April 2026 (Friday)
End Date: 19th of April 2025 (Sunday)

Public Holidays in Lausanne in 2025

Public holidays can also affect school schedules and closures. Here are the ones to note for Lausanne in 2025.

Key National Holidays Affecting Schools

Switzerland observes various public holidays that affect school operations, during which schools are closed nationwide. It’s important for parents to take note of these dates when planning ahead. Here are the main public holidays for 2025–2026:

Pentecost /Whit Monday: Monday, 9 June 2025
Swiss National Day: Friday, 1 August 2025
Jeûne fédéral: Monday, 22 September 22 2025
Christmas Day: Thursday, 25 December 2025
New Year: Thursday, 2 January to Friday, 2 January 2026
February Holidays: Monday, 23 February to Friday, 27 February 2026
Good Friday: 3 April, 2026
Easter Monday: 6 April 2026
Ascension Thursday: 14 May 2026
Pentecost /Whit Monday: 25 May 2026

Lausanne-Specific Public Holidays

In addition to national holidays, the canton of Vaud observes:

Jeûne Fédéral: Monday, 22 September 2025
St Stephen’s Day (often observed for cantonal administration): Friday, 26 December 2025

Public holidays can vary depending on the municipality, so it’s always best to check with your child’s school for any specific closures.

International School Holidays in Lausanne 2025–2026

If your child attends an international school, the calendar may differ slightly from the public system. Here are the expected breaks for some of the main international schools in the Lausanne area.

International School of Lausanne (ISL)

October Break: 20th to 24th of October 2025
Christmas Holidays: 22nd of December 2025 to 9th of January 2026
February Break: 16th to 20th of February 2026
Spring Holidays: 3rd to 17th of April
Start of Summer Holiday: 27th of June 2026

St. George’s International School (Montreux)

Term 1 Half Term Holiday: 18th to 26th of October 2025
Christmas Holidays: 20th of December 2025 to 45th of January 2026
Term 2 Half Term Holiday: 14th to 22nd of February 2026
Easter Holidays: 3rd to 19th of April 2026
Start of Summer Holiday: 27th of June 2026

Brillantmont International School

Autumn Holidays: 18th to 26th of October 2025
Christmas Holidays: 20th of December 2025 to 6th of January 2026
School Ski Week: 14th to 22nd February 2026
Spring Holidays: 28th March to 12th of April 2026
Start of Summer Holiday: 20th of June 2026

Ecole Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande (ENSR)

Autumn Holidays: 11th to 26th of October 2025
Christmas Holidays: 19th of December 2025 to 4th of January 2026
Winter Holidays: 7th to 22nd of February 2026
Easter Holidays: 3rd to 19th of April 2026
Start of Summer Holiday: 28th of June 2026

Haut-Lac International Bilingual School (Saint-Légier)

Autumn Holidays: 18th to 26th of October 2025
Christmas Holidays: 13th of December 2025 to 5th of January 2026
February Mid-term Holidays: 14th to 22nd of February 2026
Easter Holidays: 2nd to 19th of April 2026
Start of Summer Holiday: 27th of June 2026

Le Régent International School (Crans-Montana)

Half-term Holidays: 16th to 26th of October 2025
Christmas Holidays: 18th of December 2025 to 6th of January 2026
February Holidays: 19th to 22nd of February 2026
Long Weekend: 13th to 17th of May 2026
Start of Summer Holiday: 27th of June 2026

It’s a good idea to check directly with each international school, as their holiday dates may differ depending on the curriculum they follow. Reaching out to the school helps ensure you have the latest information for planning your family’s schedule and trips.

Planning Tips for Lausanne School Holidays

Whether you’re arranging a family holiday or exploring options to keep your child busy, here are some ideas to help you enjoy the Lausanne school holidays in 2025–2026 to the fullest.

Travel Ideas for Families

Whether you’re heading to the Alps or abroad, the best time to travel is during the summer or spring holidays. February is ideal for ski trips, while October and December breaks are perfect for exploring nearby European cities.

Some options to consider:

Local ski resorts in Vaud or Valais for the winter break
City breaks in Italy or France during spring
Family lakeside holidays in Montreux or Lucerne during summer

Holiday Camps and Activities for Kids

Lausanne and its surrounding areas offer a wide range of holiday camps that cater to different age groups and interests. Whether you’re looking for academic support, creative learning, or enrichment programmes, these trusted camps provide excellent opportunities for children to stay engaged during school breaks:

TutorsPlus IB Easter Revision Course

This course is ideal for IB students looking to strengthen their understanding before exams. Led by expert tutors, the sessions are focused, structured, and designed to boost confidence and performance.

Brillantmont Summer Course

Held in Lausanne, Brillantmont’s summer programme welcomes students aged 10 to 17 for language learning, sports, arts, and cultural excursions. It’s a great mix of academic development and fun international experiences.

TechSpark Academy – STEM Summer Camps

TechSpark offers innovative tech-focused camps in Lausanne and across Switzerland. Children can explore coding, robotics, and game design in small, hands-on workshops led by industry professionals.

ENSR Summer Camp

This camp blends sports, creativity, and language learning for students aged 9 to 18. Activities are held in both English and French, making it ideal for local and international families.

ISL Holiday Camps

The International School of Lausanne offers camps that cover sports, arts, science, and technology. Open to both ISL and non-ISL students, these camps are designed to keep kids active and curious during the holidays.

EHL Junior Academy

Hosted by the prestigious École Hôtelière de Lausanne, this academy offers teens aged 14 to 19 a glimpse into the world of hospitality and business. Through workshops, projects, and real-world simulations, students build leadership and communication skills in a dynamic setting.

Booking Tips and Travel Budget Advice

To avoid price hikes, book flights and accommodation 2–4 months in advance, especially for summer. Look for early-bird deals from local camps or tourism boards. Train travel within Switzerland is often cheaper when booked with a Swiss Family Card or Half Fare Card.

How Lausanne School Holidays Compare to Other Cantons

School holiday dates vary from one Swiss canton to another, so it’s important for families to be aware of these differences when organising schedules or planning trips across cantonal borders.

Common Differences in School Calendars

Each Swiss canton sets its own school holiday dates. For instance, Geneva often begins and ends breaks earlier than Vaud, Zurich has shorter summers with more mid-term pauses, and Ticino follows an Italian-style calendar. These differences are especially important for families living near canton borders or with children attending schools in different regions.

Coordinating Holidays for Inter-Cantonal Families

When one parent works in Geneva and the children attend school in Lausanne, coordinating holidays can be challenging since public schools stick closely to their own calendars. It helps to check school dates early, discuss leave flexibility with your employer, and consider local holiday camps for childcare during mismatched breaks.

Conclusion

Knowing the Lausanne school holidays for 2025 helps parents stay organised, avoid last-minute stress, and plan travel, camps, or activities with confidence. Since public schools in Vaud are strict about attendance, it’s best to stick to the official dates and check with your school for any updates. Whether your child attends a local or international school, this guide offers a helpful overview to make the most of your family’s time together.

By Sara Lloyd

Sara has been an education consultant for TutorsPlus for 15 years, and is an expert on international IB education. She is also a parent of two lively children.