Even though school holidays happen four times a year every year, we are still blindsided by their swift approach, aren't we, parents?

But while students lament the long wait until their next holiday break, we have a whole term ahead to plan! Whether you're looking to schedule a slew of programs and activities to keep the kids busy during the NSW school holidays 2026 or take off on a family holiday as soon as that last bell rings, here are all the NSW school holiday dates you need to get organised this year.

Get these school holiday and term dates in the diary and check out some inspo in case you do decide to fly the coop.

Please note: these dates are for NSW public schools. Private and independent schools generally base their terms and holidays around these dates, but they may differ slightly.

NSW School Holiday Dates For 2026

Term One

Monday, 2 February to Thursday, 2 April 2026

NSW Autumn School Holidays

Tuesday, 7 April to Friday, 17 April 2026

Term Two

Wednesday, 22 April to Friday, 3 July 2026

NSW Winter School Holidays

Monday, 6 July to Friday, 17 July 2026

Term Three

Tuesday, 21 July to Friday, 25 September 2026

NSW Spring School Holidays

Monday, 28 September to Friday, 9 October 2026

Term Four

Tuesday, 13 October to Thursday, 17 December 2026

NSW Summer School Holidays

Friday, 18 December to Wednesday, 27 January 2027

Get your FREE printable NSW Government 2026 School Calendar and Planner.

NSW Public Holidays For 2026

You'll definitely want to take note of all the NSW public holidays in 2026 so you can get the most out of your long weekend or family holiday!

New Year's Day 2026

Thursday, 1 January 2026

Australia Day 2026

Monday, 26 January 2026

Easter Public Holidays 2026

Good Friday - Friday, 3 April 2026
Easter Saturday - Saturday, 4 April 2026
Easter Sunday - Sunday, 5 April 2026
Easter Monday - Monday, 6 April 2026

ANZAC Day 2026*

ANZAC Day 2026 falls on a Saturday this year, but more on that below!

Saturday, 25 April 2026

June & October Long Weekends 2026

King's Birthday - Monday, 8 June 2026

Labour Day - Monday, 5 October 2026

Christmas Day 2026

Friday, 25 December 2026

Boxing Day 2026

Boxing Day falls on a Saturday in 2026, so that means Monday, 28 December 2026 will be the public holiday in NSW.

What Happened to the ANZAC Day Public Holiday 2026?

If you're reading this and wondering, "hey where did my ANZAC Day long weekend go?", we have some sad news. 

For the first time since 2020, Anzac Day will land on a Saturday in 2026, so for most Australians, that means no sneaky weekday sleep-in or bonus day off. Only families in the ACT and Western Australia will score a public holiday on Monday, 27 April 2026. The ACT has confirmed the day off will be officially moved to Monday, while still recognising that Anzac Day itself remains firmly on 25 April, with all dawn services and commemorations taking place on the Saturday.

Over in WA, it's a little more generous. The state has declared both Saturday, April 25, and Monday, April 27, as public holidays, giving locals an extra-long moment to pause, reflect and reset. And as for NSW, it looks like all our ANZAC Day commemorations will have to take place over the weekend, not on a public holiday, this year.

Where to Go With Kids During the NSW School Holidays 2026

Now that you've got the NSW school holidays 2026 dates, all you need is a destination! NSW has some epic family holiday spots that are affordable and jam-packed with activities, so thankfully, you don't even need to leave the state.

Here are our top NSW holiday ideas for some creative inspiration.

• Best Family Farmstays Near Sydney
• Best Places to Take the Kids Glamping Near Sydney
• Best Winter Getaways For Families And Kids Near Sydney
• Top Treehouse Accommodation In NSW And Surrounds
• Best Holiday Parks For Kids And Families Near Sydney
• Where You Can Stay In A Lighthouse In NSW
• Best Kid-Friendly Hotels In NSW
• The Best Family-Friendly Eco Resorts In NSW
• Best Caravan Park Holidays In NSW

More Family Holiday Inspo

ellaslist Reviews: The Gold Coast - An Action-Packed Getaway in Australia’s Holiday Playground
The Top Family Resorts in Fiji
Resorts With Kids' Clubs in Australia

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