Hide clues around the house that can only be unlocked by solving a maths problem. Each answer points to the next hiding spot.
Melbourne School Holidays
The next VIC school holidays are the summer school holidays, officially from Monday 21 December 2026 to Wednesday 27 January 2027. The last day of term is Friday 18 December 2026. Melbourne is known for its museums, libraries, laneways and gardens, with bay beaches a short trip away. Melbourne government schools follow the Victorian term calendar.
VIC school terms & holidays 2026
| Period | Starts | Ends | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Wed 28 Jan 2026 | Thu 2 Apr 2026 | 9 weeks |
| Autumn school holidaysBetween Term 1 and Term 2 | Fri 3 Apr 2026 | Fri 17 Apr 2026 | 15 days |
| Term 2 | Mon 20 Apr 2026 | Fri 26 June 2026 | 10 weeks |
| Winter school holidaysBetween Term 2 and Term 3 | Mon 29 June 2026 | Fri 10 July 2026 | 12 days |
| Term 3 | Mon 13 July 2026 | Fri 18 Sept 2026 | 10 weeks |
| Spring school holidaysBetween Term 3 and Term 4 | Mon 21 Sept 2026 | Fri 2 Oct 2026 | 12 days |
| Term 4 | Mon 5 Oct 2026 | Fri 18 Dec 2026 | 11 weeks |
| Summer school holidaysEnd of 2026 → start of 2027 | Mon 21 Dec 2026No school from Sat 19 Dec | Wed 27 Jan 2027 | 38 days |
- Term 1 officially starts Tuesday 27 January; students in government schools start Wednesday 28 January (shown above).
- Term dates are set by the Minister for Education in five-year blocks; 2026–2030 were approved in June 2021.
- Applies to
- Victorian government schools
- Source
- Victorian Department of Education – school term dates and holidays
- Status
- Confirmed by official source
- Last checked
- Saturday 10 October 2026
- Updated
- Saturday 10 October 2026
All Victoria dates and countdown
Looking for an organised holiday program in Melbourne?
See What's OnFree and low-cost things to do in Melbourne
Ideas, not endorsements. Opening hours, prices and holiday programs change, so check each place's official website before you go.
Melbourne MuseumNatural and social history, including a children's gallery.
State Library VictoriaThe famous domed reading room and spaces for children and teens.
ScienceworksInteractive science and technology museum in Spotswood.
Royal Botanic Gardens VictoriaGardens with a children's garden at the Melbourne site.
National Gallery of VictoriaArt galleries that often run family activities in the holidays.
Fitzroy GardensHistoric gardens in the city's east with shady lawns.
Local tips for Melbourne families
- Weather: Weather can change quickly: hot summer days, cool and often wet winters. Have an indoor backup for every outdoor plan.
- Many Melbourne museums and libraries publish school holiday programs a few weeks ahead, and popular sessions fill quickly.
- Your local library is one of the best free school holiday resources: most run craft, reading and STEM sessions during the break.
Free things to do these school holidays
Keep Melbourne kids busy, happy and learning with free activities you can start today — no bookings needed.
A printable bingo card of reading challenges — read in a cubby, read to a pet, read a comic — to keep books fun all holidays.
Using only paper and tape, design a bridge between two books that holds as many coins as possible.