This booking calendar 2027 is based on the official school holidays published by Flanders, the Federation Wallonia-Brussels and the Dutch government (Rijksoverheid).
A campaign that starts at the right moment gets more out of the same budget. In the Benelux, that moment isn’t the same everywhere: Flanders, the French-speaking schools in Wallonia and Brussels, and the three Dutch regions each have their own school holidays. Here they are for 2027, side by side.
School holidays for the 2026-2027 school year
| Holiday | Flanders | Wallonia and Brussels (French-speaking) | Netherlands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas | 21 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | 21 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027 | 19 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 |
| Carnival / spring half-term | 8 – 14 Feb 2027 | 22 Feb – 5 Mar 2027 | north and central 20 – 28 Feb, south 13 – 21 Feb 2027 (advisory dates) |
| Easter / spring / May | 29 Mar – 11 Apr 2027 | 26 Apr – 7 May 2027 | May holiday 24 Apr – 2 May 2027 |
| Summer | 1 Jul – 31 Aug 2027 | 3 Jul – 29 Aug 2027 | north 10 Jul – 22 Aug, central 17 Jul – 29 Aug, south 24 Jul – 5 Sep 2027 |
Sources: Vlaanderen.be, the Federation Wallonia-Brussels and the Dutch government (Rijksoverheid). In the Netherlands, the spring dates are advisory: schools may deviate.
What stands out?
- Carnival holidays are spread over four weeks. Flanders is off first, Wallonia and Brussels two weeks later. For ski and sun destinations, that means a longer peak.
- The spring holiday in Wallonia and Brussels falls after Easter. French-speaking families are off in late April and early May, at the same time as the Dutch May holiday. Flemish families are already back at school.
- Summer starts earlier in Belgium than in the Netherlands. Belgian families leave from early July; the Dutch regions follow, staggered until late July.
Booking moments through the year
When people book varies by product, but a few moments come back every year:
- January and February: early booking. After the festive season, many families plan their summer holiday. A strong moment for tour operators, holiday parks and sun destinations.
- A few weeks before each short holiday. Before carnival, Easter and the spring break, families look for a short trip, a park or a weekend away.
- May and June: holiday pay. In Belgium and the Netherlands, many employees receive their holiday allowance around then. A good moment for promotions and last minute.
- June to August: last minute. Those who haven’t booked yet decide quickly. Short, concrete offers work best.
- Autumn: half-term, winter and next year. Autumn holiday, Christmas, ski trips and the first early-booking offers for the following year.
Brand building happens all year round
A calendar helps you plan peaks, but not everything revolves around booking moments. Travellers who already know your brand book faster when the moment comes. That’s why we combine extra pressure around the peaks with ongoing visibility through video and social media.
How to use this calendar
- Start campaigns well ahead of the holiday you’re targeting, not in the week itself.
- Run separate campaigns per market and per language.
- Align your emails and social media with the same moments so they reinforce each other.
FAQ
Why do holidays differ so much between Flanders and Wallonia?
Since the school calendar reform in the Federation Wallonia-Brussels, French-speaking schools have longer autumn and carnival breaks and a shorter summer. Flanders did not follow that reform.
Are the Dutch dates final?
The summer, Christmas and May holidays are fixed. The autumn and spring holidays are advisory; schools can deviate.
Should I also take Luxembourg into account?
Yes. Luxembourg has its own school calendar: in 2027, the Easter holidays run from 27 March to 11 April and the summer holidays from 16 July to 14 September.
More on our Data & strategy page.