Public Holidays and School Breaks in Luxembourg in 2026, 2027, and 2028
Do you live or work in Luxembourg? Public holidays and school breaks punctuate the year and offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy long weekends, plan a trip, or spend time with family. By keeping track of key dates, you can make the most of your time off and plan your travels or activities more easily.
In this guide, you’ll find the official public holidays, school breaks, and our tips for making the most of the Luxembourg calendar. You’ll also discover the main traditions associated with these special days and useful links to help you plan your leisure activities throughout the year.
Table of Contents
- Legal Holidays in Luxembourg
- The Best Long Weekends to Make the Most of Your Time Off
- Customary Holidays
- Traditions and Celebrations Associated with Public Holidays
- School breaks
- Comparison of school calendars
- Activities During Vacation
- Frequently Asked Questions
Statutory holidays and school breaks in Luxembourg: What expats need to know
- Luxembourg has 11 statutory holidays per year.
- Employees are entitled to a legal minimum of 26 days of paid vacation, to which compensatory days off may be added in certain situations.
- When certain public holidays fall on a Thursday or Tuesday, strategically taking a few days off allows you to enjoy long weekends.
- School breaks are set several years in advance, which makes it easier to plan family vacations.
- Many public holidays are associated with traditional Luxembourgish festivals and customs.
How do public holidays work in Luxembourg?
Luxembourg’s public holidays are defined by law and apply to the majority of employees. They correspond to civil or religious holidays that mark the rhythm of life in the Grand Duchy.
Luxembourg also has a unique rule: when a statutory holiday falls on a Sunday, employees may, under certain conditions, be entitled to a compensatory day off. The specific terms depend on current legislation and the employee’s situation.
In addition to statutory holidays, there are also a few customary holidays that are traditionally observed by certain companies or industries, although they are not legally required.
To learn about your rights regarding time off, compensatory time off, or working on a public holiday, consult our guide on working hours and statutory time off in Luxembourg.
Statutory Holidays and School Breaks: Key Figures
- 11 statutory holidays per year.
- A minimum of 26 working days of paid vacation for a full-time employee.
- 16 weeks of vacation for children enrolled in the Luxembourg school system
- 17 weeks of school vacation for students at the French School and Lycée Vauban
- 18 weeks for other students (European Schools, ISL, Saint Georges)
Statutory Holidays in Luxembourg in 2026
Here is a breakdown of the legal holidays in 2026, along with tips for making the most of these days, particularly through Luxembourgish traditions.
Paid Time Off and Legal Holidays in 2026
Luxembourg is a country that knows how to keep its traditions alive. Public holidays often stem from the country’s Catholic religious tradition.
- Thursday, January 1, 2026: New Year’s Day
Taking Friday, January 2 off will give you a 4-day break to start the new year off right. - April 5 and 6: Easter Sunday and Easter Monday
- Friday , May 1: Labor Day.
- Saturday, May 9: Europe Day
- Thursday, May 14: Ascension Day (see the pilgrimage to Our Lady of Fatima)
- Monday, May 25: Pentecost Monday. If you take Tuesday, May 26 off, you can attend the pilgrimage and the famous dancing procession in Echternach
- Tuesday, June 23: Luxembourg National Day.
- Saturday, August 15: Assumption of Mary.
- Sunday, November 1: All Saints’ Day
- Friday, December 25: Christmas Day (see Christmas Markets)
- Saturday, December 26, 2026: St. Stephen’s Day.
Customary Holidays in Luxembourg
In addition to statutory holidays, some companies or sectors grant time off for holidays traditionally celebrated in Luxembourg. However, these days are not statutory holidays: whether they are granted depends on the applicable collective bargaining agreement, the industry, or your employer’s policy.
Before planning your time off, check the practices in place at your company or consult your collective bargaining agreement.
- March 4: Carnival Monday (Fuesend)
- April 3: Good Friday
- September 2: Kermesse Monday
- November 2: All Souls’ Day
Make the Most of Your 2026 Vacation Days
The 2026 calendar offers several opportunities for long weekends. By strategically taking a few days off, you can enjoy longer periods of rest throughout the year.
| Holiday | Date | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday, January 1 | Take Friday, January 2 off to enjoy a 4-day weekend. |
| Ascension Day | Thursday, May 14 | Take Friday, May 15 off for a long weekend. |
| National Holiday | Tuesday, June 23 | Taking Monday, June 22 off gives you a 4-day weekend. |
Public holidays are also a chance to discover Luxembourgish traditions
Many of Luxembourg’s public holidays are directly linked to the history and traditions of the Grand Duchy. For newcomers, these days offer an excellent opportunity to discover the local culture and take part in the many festivities organized throughout the country.
Throughout the year, you can explore, among other things:
- Easter traditions;
- Luxembourg’s National Day, celebrated every June 23;
- the Echternach Dancing Procession, listed as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage;
- Christmas markets and Winterlights;
- St. Nicholas Day, eagerly awaited by children;
- Liichtmëssdag, an iconic February tradition.
Also check out our guide to Luxembourg’s traditional customs and festivals, which highlights the main celebrations on the Luxembourg calendar.
School Vacations in Luxembourg: Official Calendar for 2025–2026, 2026–2027, and 2027–2028
The Ministry of National Education publishes the official school vacation calendar several years in advance. This advance notice allows families to plan their vacations, trips, and children’s activities well in advance.
- Public elementary and high schools follow the same official calendar.
- European, international, or private schools may follow a different calendar.
- The dates are set several years in advance by the Luxembourg authorities.
- Certain special days, such as St. Nicholas Day, apply only to elementary schools.
School Breaks: How Do They Vary by School in Luxembourg?
If your children attend an international, European, or private school, their calendar may differ significantly from that of the Luxembourg public school system. Before booking your vacation, a trip, or a holiday activity, always check the official calendar provided by the school.
| School System | Approximate vacation weeks | Approximate number of vacation days* | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxembourg School System | About 16 weeks | 110 to 115 days | Shorter summer vacation, but breaks are well distributed throughout the school year. |
| Vauban | About 17 weeks | 118 to 122 days | Calendar similar to the French school year. |
| European Schools | About 17 to 18 weeks | 120 to 125 days | A harmonized calendar across all European Schools. |
| International School of Luxembourg (ISL) | Approximately 18 weeks | 125 to 130 days | Anglo-Saxon-style international calendar. |
| St. George’s International School | About 18 weeks | 125 to 130 days | British academic calendar with three main school terms. |
*These estimates include weekends that fall within the vacation periods. They should be verified each year with the school in question.
- Check your school’s calendar before booking your vacation.
- Plan ahead for registration for camps and activities, which are in high demand during school breaks.
- If you have children in multiple school systems, compare the calendars at the start of the year.
- Dates may vary from one school year to the next.
The school vacation dates below apply only to public schools in Luxembourg. Check the dates for your children’s school.
Luxembourg School Holidays 2025–2026
First day of school: Monday, September 15, 2025
End of the school year: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
- All Saints’ Day break : Saturday, November 1, through Sunday, November 9, 2025
- December 6: St. Nicholas Day—no school for children in the elementary school system.
- Christmas Break: Saturday, December 20, 2025, through Sunday, January 4, 2026
- Winter or Carnival Break: Saturday, February 14, through Sunday, February 22. Before then, the children will have the joy of making pretty lanterns for Liichtsmessdag
- Spring or Easter break: Saturday, March 28, through Sunday, April 12
- Pentecost Break: Saturday, May 23, through Sunday, May 31
- Summer break: Thursday, July 16, through Monday, September 14, 2026.
2026–2027 School Breaks for Luxembourg Schools
First day of school: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Last day of school: Friday, July 16, 2027
- All Saints’ Day Break: Saturday, October 31, 2026, through Sunday, November 8, 2026
- December 6, 2026: Saint Nicholas will visit elementary school children
- Christmas Break: Saturday, December 19, 2026, through Sunday, January 3, 2027
- Carnival break: Saturday, February 6, 2027, through Sunday, February 14, 2027
- Easter Break: Saturday, March 27, 2027, through Sunday, April 11, 2027
- Pentecost Break: Saturday, May 29, 2027, through Sunday, June 6, 2027
- Summer Break: Friday, July 16, 2027, through Tuesday, September 14, 2027.
2027–2028 School Breaks for Luxembourg Elementary and High Schools
Start of the school year: Wednesday, September 15, 2027
Last day of school: Friday, July 14, 2028
- All Saints’ Day break: Saturday, October 30, 2027, through Sunday, November 7, 2027
- St. Nicholas Day: Monday, December 6, 2027 (elementary schools only)
- Christmas break: Saturday, December 18, 2027, through Sunday, January 2, 2028
- Carnival Break: Saturday, February 12, 2028, through Sunday, February 20, 2028
- Easter Break: Saturday, April 1, 2028, through Monday, April 17, 2028
- Pentecost Break: Saturday, May 27, 2028, through Sunday, June 4, 2028
- Summer Break: Saturday, July 15, 2028, through Thursday, September 14, 2028.
School breaks are a great time to explore Luxembourg, visit family, or take part in the many activities offered to children during the holidays.
What to do during school breaks in Luxembourg?
School breaks are a great opportunity to explore Luxembourg with your family. Many municipalities, organizations, and cultural institutions organize activities tailored to children and teens during the various school breaks throughout the year.
Depending on the season, you can enjoy:
- sports or arts camps;
- summer camps and vacation camps;
- workshops offered by museums and cultural centers;
- outdoor activities in parks and nature reserves;
- numerous events organized by local municipalities.
If you’re looking for ideas to keep your children busy, check out our guide to camps, activities, and summer camps in Luxembourg.
Take advantage of long weekends to explore Luxembourg
Public holidays also offer an excellent opportunity to explore the Grand Duchy. Thanks to its size, you can quickly reach the main tourist regions and make the most of a long weekend.
| Period | Some ideas |
|---|---|
| Spring | Explore the Mullerthal region, its gardens, castles, or take your first hikes. |
| Summer | Explore the Luxembourg Moselle, attend festivals, or enjoy water sports. |
| Fall | Discover the Ardennes forests, vineyards, and local festivals. |
| Winter | Enjoy the Christmas markets, the Winterlights illuminations, and end-of-year festivities. |
Also check out our selection of things to do in Luxembourg and our events calendar to plan your next weekends.
Start planning the whole family’s year right now
A few minutes of planning can help you make the most of your time off.
- Check the holiday calendar right at the start of the year.
- Book your vacations during peak periods several months in advance.
- Check the specific calendar if your children attend an international or private school.
- Be sure to check out the events taking place during public holidays and school breaks.
- Book camps and activities for your children early, as they’re often in high demand during school breaks.
Public holidays, school breaks, and local traditions shape daily life in Luxembourg. By planning ahead, you can make the most of your time off, organize your travel, and fully enjoy the many events held throughout the year.
To learn more, check out our guides on traditional customs and festivals, religious traditions, outings and leisure activities, events in Luxembourg, and guides for families.
FAQ: Public Holidays and School Breaks in Luxembourg
How many public holidays are there in Luxembourg?
Luxembourg has 11 statutory public holidays. Depending on the year, some may entitle you to compensatory time off if they fall on a Sunday.
Do international schools follow the same school calendar?
No. International, European, and private schools may follow a different calendar. It is recommended that you check your school’s calendar directly.
Are stores open on public holidays?
Most stores are closed on statutory holidays. There are some exceptions, particularly for gas stations, certain convenience stores, or during special events.
Does public transportation run on public holidays?
Yes. Public transportation generally operates on a special schedule for Sundays and public holidays. Be sure to check the schedules before traveling.
What can you do with the kids during school breaks?
Luxembourg offers many activities: sports camps, cultural workshops, summer camps, nature activities, museums, and events organized by municipalities and associations.
Do cross-border workers get Luxembourg public holidays?
Yes. If you work in Luxembourg, you are entitled to the public holidays provided for by Luxembourg law, even if you live in France, Belgium, or Germany.