{"id":37955,"date":"2026-06-17T14:35:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T12:35:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=37955"},"modified":"2026-06-17T15:40:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T13:40:19","slug":"winter-school-holidays-2026-key-dates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/winter-school-holidays-2026-key-dates\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter School Holidays 2026: Key Dates South African Parents Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">South African pupils are entering the final weeks of the second school term, with winter school holidays set to begin at the end of June.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While many learners recently enjoyed the additional public holiday linked to Youth Day, attention is now turning to the upcoming winter break and the remaining school calendar dates for 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the Department of Basic Education&#8217;s official school calendar, schools will close for the second term on <em><strong>Friday, 26 June 2026. <\/strong><\/em>Learners will then begin a three-week winter holiday before returning to classrooms on <strong><em>Tuesday, 21 July 2026.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For parents, learners and educators, the approaching break offers an opportunity to plan ahead for the remainder of the academic year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/fathers-day-2026-in-gauteng\/\"><strong>ALSO READ: Father\u2019s Day 2026 in Gauteng: Events, Markets, Music and Family Experiences to Enjoy This Weekend<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Winter Holidays Begin at the End of June<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second term officially ends on Friday, 26 June 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Schools across South Africa will then close for the winter holidays from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Saturday, 27 June 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monday, 20 July 2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learners will return for the start of the third term on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tuesday, 21 July 2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The winter break remains one of the longest school holidays on the academic calendar and comes after a busy second term that included Freedom Day, Workers&#8217; Day and Youth Day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1984465590\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Third Term Will Be Shorter Than Second Term<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once schools reopen in July, learners will move into the third term, which runs until September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Key third-term dates include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Schools reopen: 21 July 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Schools close: 23 September 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heritage Day holiday: 24 September 2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The third term is traditionally one of the busiest periods of the school year as schools prepare for final assessments and examinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final School Term Starts in October<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following the September holiday period, learners will return for the fourth and final term of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fourth term dates are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Schools reopen: 6 October 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Schools close: 9 December 2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For matric learners, the fourth term coincides with the National Senior Certificate examinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1339533494\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key School Calendar Dates Remaining in 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Date<\/th><th>Event<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>26 June 2026<\/td><td>Second Term Ends<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>27 June \u2013 20 July 2026<\/td><td>Winter School Holidays<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>21 July 2026<\/td><td>Third Term Begins<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>23 September 2026<\/td><td>Third Term Ends<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>24 September 2026<\/td><td>Heritage Day<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>6 October 2026<\/td><td>Fourth Term Begins<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>9 December 2026<\/td><td>Schools Close for 2026<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Published-2026-School-Calendar.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of Published 2026 School Calendar.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-b1023323-dc54-4eaa-910d-1a6a57ab73c9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Published-2026-School-Calendar.pdf\">Published 2026 School Calendar<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Published-2026-School-Calendar.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-b1023323-dc54-4eaa-910d-1a6a57ab73c9\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What This Means for Gauteng Residents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Gauteng families, the approaching winter school holidays may influence travel plans, childcare arrangements and family activities during the three-week break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The holiday period is also expected to increase visitor numbers at museums, heritage sites, family attractions, parks and tourism destinations across the province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many Gauteng attractions typically introduce special programmes and activities during school holidays, making it one of the busiest periods for the tourism and leisure sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1254733181\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When do schools close for the winter holidays in 2026?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Schools close on Friday, 26 June 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When do learners return to school?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The third term begins on Tuesday, 21 July 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long are the winter school holidays?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The winter holiday period runs from 27 June to 20 July 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When does the third term end?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The third term ends on 23 September 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When do schools close for the year?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 2026 school year ends on 9 December 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Looking Ahead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the second term nearing its conclusion, parents and learners can begin preparing for the winter break and the remainder of the academic year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.education.gov.za\/portals\/0\/documents\/publications\/2025\/Published%202026%20School%20Calendar.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Department of Basic Education&#8217;s calendar<\/a> shows that schools will reopen in July before learners complete the final two terms leading up to the end of the 2026 school year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>South African pupils are entering the final weeks of the second school term, with winter school holidays set to begin at the end of June.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":37960,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"Winter School Holidays","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[11648,2014,3190],"ppma_author":[11575],"class_list":["post-37955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-education","tag-gauteng-department-of-basic-education","tag-gauteng-schools","tag-school-holidays"],"authors":[{"term_id":11575,"user_id":23,"is_guest":0,"slug":"nomthandazo","display_name":"Nomthandazo Ntisa","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ec3262463e8ed5ea26dca074ed7eff95ffede057639be73a77f7896ccd06170f?s=96&r=g","author_category":"1","first_name":"Nomthandazo","last_name":"Ntisa","user_url":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/","job_title":"Content Editor","description":"Nomthandazo Ntisa is a journalist and Content Editor at What's On G with more than six years of experience in journalism, digital publishing, and content strategy. She covers the people, places, events, and issues shaping Gauteng \u2014 producing stories that help readers understand and connect with life across the province."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37955","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37955"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37955\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37964,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37955\/revisions\/37964"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37960"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37955"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=37955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}