Summer holidays 2027
Wallonia-Brussels
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Estimated dates - verify with official sources before use.
Summer holidays
The summer holidays 2027 runs from 3 July to 22 August.
The summer break in Wallonia-Brussels lasts about seven weeks since the 2022-2023 reform, compared to nine weeks previously. It generally starts around 4 July and ends around 23 August.
This shortening was one of the most debated elements of the school reform, as many parents considered the long summer indispensable. The result is a more compact but still substantial holiday period that largely overlaps with the Flemish summer.
The national holiday on 21 July and the Assumption on 15 August fall within this shortened period.
Activities during the summer holidays
The Belgian coast remains a top destination, along with the Ardennes for kayaking, mountain biking, and camping along the Semois and the Ourthe. Summer festivals such as the Francofolies de Spa and the Dour festival enliven the season and also attract many international visitors.
The Walloon lakes, including the Lac de l'Eau d'Heure, offer excellent swimming and water sports facilities. Cultural attractions such as the Fort of Breendonk, the Abbey of Villers-la-Ville, and the Musée L in Louvain-la-Neuve are also worth a visit.
Many Walloon villages host local fairs and village festivals in summer that offer an authentic atmosphere.
Practical info about the summer holidays
Summer camps are essential for families with two working parents, and demand has become heavily concentrated over seven weeks since the shortening. The shortening of summer has not reduced the supply of camps, but competition for places has increased.
Transport to the coast and the Ardennes is busy in July and August, especially on sunny weekends. The TEC network adjusts its timetable during the holidays, with additional services to tourist destinations.
Registering for camps early, preferably by May, is strongly recommended.
Did you know this about the summer holidays?
FWB shortened its summer break by two weeks in 2022-2023, going from nine to about seven weeks. Those two weeks were redistributed to the autumn and carnival breaks, each going from one to two weeks.
The decision was based on research showing that students forget a significant amount of material after six to seven weeks without school, the so-called 'summer slide' effect. By shortening summer and extending the breaks during the year, FWB hopes to limit this effect.
The new system was not introduced without criticism: the tourism sector and parents of young children in particular voiced their concerns.