Winter break 2026: dates by region and how to plan the two weeks

Three rounds instead of four

According to the 2025/2026 school-year calendar published by the Ministry of National Education (MEN), the winter break (ferie zimowe) lasts two weeks and falls on three different dates depending on the voivodeship (region). Previously the regions were usually split into four groups.

Before that comes the Christmas break: 22–31 December 2025. Lessons resume on Friday 2 January or — if the headteacher has made that a day off — on Monday 5 January. Check your school's calendar.

Winter break dates by region

The dates follow from the regulation on the organisation of the school year and are the same for all public schools in a region:

• 19 January – 1 February 2026: Mazowieckie, Pomorskie, Podlaskie, Świętokrzyskie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie.
• 2 – 15 February 2026: Dolnośląskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Łódzkie, Małopolskie, Opolskie, Zachodniopomorskie.
• 16 February – 1 March 2026: Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Podkarpackie, Śląskie, Wielkopolskie.

Planning childcare

The break means no school activities, and school after-school clubs (świetlice) are usually closed. Many municipalities and schools do organise day camps (półkolonie) or 'Winter in the City' (Zima w mieście) activities, and sign-ups often open in December or early January. There are often fewer places than applicants.

• Check your municipality's, cultural centre's and library's websites now — that is where winter activities are announced.
• If you work, agree leave with your employer early; many parents in your region will want the same weeks.
• If your children study in different regions (e.g. at a boarding school), check the dates separately.
• For trips, remember that prices and availability in popular mountain areas depend on which regions are on break.

The break and learning

The break is for rest and there is no obligation to do schoolwork. Eighth-graders and matura students may still benefit from short reviews: the CKE trial eighth-grade exam is set for 12–14 January, so for pupils in the first round it comes just before the break. A good compromise is 20–30 minutes a day on a few days a week — the rest of the time for movement, sleep and friends.

Pupils with gaps in January can agree with their teacher what is worth catching up on before the second semester starts.

What comes next in the calendar

After the winter break the next pause is the Easter break, 2–7 April 2026. Classes end on 26 June 2026 and the summer holidays run from 27 June to 31 August.