Do municipalities or Skolverket set school holidays?

Municipalities set their own school breaks within the framework of the Education Act (2010:800). Skolverket (the National Agency for Education) publishes recommendations but no binding dates. This means dates can vary between municipalities — especially sports break, where Stockholm usually has week 9, Skåne week 8 and northern Sweden week 10. Always check with your specific school.

Why is sports break in different weeks in different cities?

Sports break is spread across weeks 7–12 for practical reasons — to prevent all Swedish schools being on break at the same time, which would overwhelm mountain resorts and make travel extremely expensive. Stockholm, Uppsala and Östergötland traditionally have week 9; Gothenburg and Västra Götaland week 7; Skåne week 8; Dalarna, Gävleborg and Värmland week 10; Norrbotten and Västerbotten week 10 or 11.

How long is summer break in Sweden?

Summer break is about 10 weeks long, usually from mid-June to mid-August. Exact dates vary between municipalities — Stockholm's grundskolor have their last school day on Friday 11 June 2026, with the break running 12 June – 17 August (autumn term typically starts 17–19 August). Gymnasium schools may finish slightly earlier. It is one of Europe's longest school breaks, partly linked to Sweden's traditional agricultural society.

How many school breaks do Swedish schools have per year?

Swedish primary and secondary schools normally have 5 breaks per academic year: autumn break (week 44, 1 week), Christmas break (about 2–2.5 weeks around Christmas and New Year), sports break (week 7–12 depending on region, 1 week), Easter break (1 week around Easter weekend) and summer break (about 10 weeks). Some municipalities also have "themed break projects" during other leisure periods.

Can independent schools have different break dates?

Yes, independent schools (friskolor) can have their own academic calendars and break dates as long as they meet the compulsory schooling requirement of at least 178 school days per academic year under the Education Act. In practice, however, most independent schools follow their municipality's break dates to make things easier for families with children in both municipal and independent schools.

Why is autumn break also called "läslov" (reading break)?

In 2016 the Swedish Academy and adult-education organisations called for renaming autumn break as "läslov" to encourage children's reading during the break. The idea has gained some traction — many municipalities and libraries organise author visits, reading sessions, book clubs and library activities during week 44. Officially it is still called höstlov at Skolverket.

Swedish school breaks 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 academic years

School breaks 2025/2026

Upcoming

☀️

Summer break

About 10 weeks — June to mid-August

Same for all

▾

12 Jun – 17 Aug 2026

The academic year ends in mid-June across Sweden. School start dates vary slightly by municipality: typically 17–19 August, though some start as early as week 33 and others not until week 34.

💡 Tips for the break

Summer break is about 10 weeks — Sweden's longest holiday. Stockholm's grundskolor finish the year on Friday 11 June 2026 (last school day); the break then runs 12 June to the start of autumn term on 17–19 August. June is the month of Midsummer (major family celebration around 19–20 June). July is the classic "industrial holiday" — Stockholm empties, the countryside fills up cottages and campsites. Popular destinations: Gotland (Medieval Week in Visby), the Skåneleden trail, the Göta Canal, mountain hiking in Kebnekaise or Sarek, boating in Stockholm archipelago. Gymnasium (upper-secondary) schools often finish a week earlier than grundskola.

49 days to start

Passed

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Autumn break

1 week — week 44 nationwide

Same for all

▾

27–31 Oct 2025 W 44

Week 44 is autumn break across the whole of Sweden — the one week when nearly all 290 municipalities follow the same schedule.

💡 Tips for the break

The autumn break (also "läslov" — reading break) falls in week 44. Autumn is high season for indoor activities: Skansen has autumn programmes, the Technical Museum, the Vasa Museum and the National Museum often have special exhibits. Outdoors it is mushroom season — chanterelles, boletes and trumpet chanterelles. In the countryside it is apple picking and autumn walks. Many municipalities host "Läslovet" with library activities and author visits to promote children's reading.

📅 Passed

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Christmas break

About 2.5 weeks — 22 December to Epiphany

Same for all

▾

22 Dec 2025 – 7 Jan 2026

Christmas break is broadly uniform across Sweden — from just before Christmas Day until Epiphany (6 January).

💡 Tips for the break

Christmas break is the year's longest school holiday — around 2.5 weeks. Children are home from 22 December to Epiphany. Popular activities: Liseberg has its Christmas market open until the days between Christmas and New Year, Skansen's Christmas market, ice skating in Kungsträdgården, skiing in Storlien, Åre or Sälen. Many families head to the mountains for Christmas week — book well in advance. Stockholm and Gothenburg keep their Christmas lights, trees and Lucia celebrations up until Epiphany.

📅 Passed

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Sports break

1 week — four different weeks depending on municipality (W7–W10)

also known as Winter sports break

4 schedules

▾

9–13 Feb 2026 W 7

Week 7 — Southern Sweden

BlekingeHallandJönköpingKalmarKronobergparts of SkåneÖstergötland

16–20 Feb 2026 W 8

Week 8 — Middle Sweden (majority) · Majority (11 counties)

DalarnaGotlandGävleborgSödermanlandUppsalaVärmlandVästmanlandÖrebroparts of SkåneBlekinge (part)Västra Götaland (part)

23–27 Feb 2026 W 9

Week 9 — Stockholm + Västra Götaland

Stockholm countyVästra Götaland (main part)

2–6 Mar 2026 W 10

Week 10 — Northern Sweden

NorrbottenVästerbottenJämtlandVästernorrland

ℹ️ Northern Sweden — last for best snow conditions

💡 Tips for the break

Sports break is week 9 (Stockholm, Uppsala, Södermanland, Östergötland among others). Stockholm traditionally has week 9, Malmö and Skåne week 8, northern Sweden week 10. Peak season for the mountains — Åre, Sälen, Vemdalen, Idre. Book accommodation 6+ months in advance. City alternatives: Kungsträdgården's ice rink, Stockholm Skating Club, Skansen's winter activities. SL often offers special tickets for sports break. Hallonbergen, Gärdet and other ski tracks are open if there is snow.

📅 Passed

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Easter break

About 4 days — the week around Easter

2 schedules

▾

7–10 Apr 2026

Stockholm + majority

30 Mar – 2 Apr 2026

Some municipalities

💡 Tips for the break

Stockholm's municipal grundskolor have Easter break in week 15, Tuesday 7 April – Friday 10 April 2026. Monday 6 April (Easter Monday) is already a public holiday, so the break starts on Tuesday. Combined with the preceding Easter weekend (3–6 April), pupils get 8 consecutive days off. Spring is arriving — perfect for nature walks in Hagaparken, Djurgården or Tyresta National Park. Wood anemones bloom and gökotta takes place in the countryside. Museums get busy on Good Friday and Easter Monday — the Technical Museum, Junibacken and Skansen run Easter programmes. Note: other municipalities (Gothenburg, Malmö) may schedule the break in week 14 — check locally.

📅 Passed

School breaks 2026/2027

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Autumn break

1 week — week 44 nationwide

Same for all

▾

26–30 Oct 2026 W 44

Week 44 is autumn break across the whole of Sweden — uniform schedule in all municipalities.

💡 Tips for the break

Autumn break week 44 — same pattern as the previous year. Autumn 2026 means bright colours in deciduous forests (Stockholm has Hagaparken, Djurgården, Nacka nature reserve), a last visit to the summer cottage before winter, mushroom picking and autumn fishing. Many museums offer autumn-break activities — Junibacken, the Technical Museum and the Natural History Museum have children's programmes. Halloween 31 October (the same weekend as All Saints' Day) has become popular among younger children.

185 days to start

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Christmas break

About 2.5 weeks — 21 December to Epiphany

Same for all

▾

21 Dec 2026 – 7 Jan 2027

Christmas break is broadly uniform across Sweden — from just before Christmas Day until Epiphany (6 January).

💡 Tips for the break

Christmas 2026 is particularly generous as the Christmas and New Year holidays produce many red days. Christmas break runs 21 December – 7 January. This is a perfect time for family trips to Lapland (Jukkasjärvi Icehotel), mountain holidays or city Christmas with all its markets. Stockholm's Christmas lights on Kungsgatan, NK and Åhléns are a must. The long break also allows time for longer ski trips, ice fishing or extended family visits.

241 days to start

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Sports break

1 week — four different weeks depending on municipality (W7–W10)

also known as Winter sports break

4 schedules

▾

15–19 Feb 2027 W 7

Week 7 — Southern Sweden

BlekingeHallandJönköpingKalmarKronobergparts of SkåneÖstergötland

22–26 Feb 2027 W 8

Week 8 — Middle Sweden (majority) · Majority (11 counties)

DalarnaGotlandGävleborgSödermanlandUppsalaVärmlandVästmanlandÖrebroparts of SkåneBlekinge (part)Västra Götaland (part)

1–5 Mar 2027 W 9

Week 9 — Stockholm + Västra Götaland

Stockholm countyVästra Götaland (main part)

8–12 Mar 2027 W 10

Week 10 — Northern Sweden

NorrbottenVästerbottenJämtlandVästernorrland

ℹ️ Northern Sweden — last for best snow conditions

💡 Tips for the break

Sports break is week 9 for the Stockholm region in 2027. The mountain season is in full swing — a longer ski season than the Alps, especially in northern Sweden. Today, flights to Thailand, Spain and the Canary Islands are also popular for sports break. In the Stockholm area: Hammarbybacken, Flottsbro and Romme are within commuting distance. Book mountain accommodation a year in advance for the best price bracket.

311 days to start

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Easter break

About 4 days — the week after Easter

Same for all

▾

30 Mar – 2 Apr 2027

Stockholm + majority

💡 Tips for the break

Easter 2027 falls early (26–29 March). Stockholm's academic calendar for 2026/2027 is finalised in autumn 2026 — tentatively, Easter break is scheduled for the week after Easter (Tuesday 30 March – Friday 2 April 2027), since Easter Monday 29/3 is already a public holiday. Combined with the Easter weekend (26–29 March), pupils could get 8 consecutive days off. Spring is early in 2027 — perfect for nature outings, Skansen's spring market, Kungsträdgården where cherry blossoms may be in bloom. Plan visits to national parks such as Tyresta or Ängsö. Check Stockholm's school platform for the final date.

340 days to start

☀️

Summer break

About 10 weeks — June to mid-August

Same for all

▾

11 Jun – 16 Aug 2027

The academic year ends in mid-June across Sweden. School start dates in 2027: typically 16–18 August, though some municipalities start as early as week 33.

💡 Tips for the break

Summer break 2027 — about 10 weeks. Midsummer 25–26 June. July is the holiday month with industrial leave and major exoduses from the cities. If 2026 was a "red-day-rich" summer, 2027 is more average. Popular destinations as always: Gotland, Öland, the High Coast, Stockholm archipelago, the mountains. National parks such as Sarek, Skuleskogen and Muddus offer adventure for experienced hikers.

413 days to start

Swedish school breaks 2025/2026 — höstlov, sportlov, påsklov, sommarlov

School breaks 2025/2026

Upcoming

Summer break

Passed

Autumn break

Christmas break

Sports break

Easter break

School breaks 2026/2027

Autumn break

Christmas break

Sports break

Easter break

Summer break

School holidays in Sweden 2025/2026

Frequently asked questions — school breaks

References