Every November, parents, students and teachers start searching for the Punjab winter vacation 2026 schedule. As of 27 October 2026, the School Education Department has not yet notified the winter break for schools. This page shows last year’s actual dates, what to expect this year, how to recognise a genuine notification, and how smog closures are handled separately. We will update it as soon as the official notice is issued.
Status (27 Oct 2026): Winter vacation 2026-27 not notified yet. Last year: late Dec 2025 – 10 Jan 2026, later extended for cold weather, with schools reopening on 19 Jan 2026. Current winter school timings run from 16 Oct 2026 to 31 Mar 2027.
Last Year’s Winter Vacation (2025-26)
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| First announced | November 2025 |
| Vacation announced | Late December 2025 (22/23 Dec) – 10 January 2026 |
| Extension due to cold weather | 12 – 18 January 2026 |
| Schools reopened | 19 January 2026 |
Expected Winter Vacation 2026-27
Based on recent years, the winter break for Punjab schools usually starts in the last week of December and runs into the first or second week of January. The schedule is usually announced in November or early December. Treat any exact dates shared before the official notice as unconfirmed.
| Item | Expected (not confirmed) |
|---|---|
| Notification | November – early December 2026 |
| Vacation start | Last week of December 2026 |
| Schools reopen | Second or third week of January 2027, depending on the weather |
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How to Spot a Genuine Notification
- A real notice is a numbered PDF issued by the School Education Department, signed by the Secretary, and posted on the department’s official website.
- It covers all public and private schools across Punjab, not just one district, unless it is a district-level smog order.
- A WhatsApp image or a message from a school is not the order. If dates differ, the department’s notification prevails.
Smog Closures Are Separate
Smog-related closures are ordered separately, usually for specific districts such as Lahore, when air quality becomes hazardous in November. Such orders can come at short notice and are different from the winter vacation. No smog closure had been ordered when this page was last updated.
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Current Winter School Timings
Until the vacation, public schools follow winter timings from 16 October 2026 to 31 March 2027: 8:45 AM to 1:30 PM from Monday to Thursday and 8:45 AM to 12:30 PM on Friday in single-shift schools. See revised winter timings and Punjab school timings October 2026 for details.
Students should also keep the matric date sheet 2027 in mind when planning the break.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Punjab announced winter vacation 2026?
Not yet. As of 27 October 2026 the School Education Department has not notified the 2026-27 winter vacation.
When were winter vacations in Punjab last year?
From late December 2025 to 10 January 2026, extended for cold weather, with schools reopening on 19 January 2026.
When will winter vacation 2026 be announced?
Last year the schedule was first announced in November 2025. A November or early-December announcement is expected.
Are smog holidays the same as winter vacation?
No. Smog closures are separate, usually district-specific orders issued when air quality is hazardous.
Bottom line: Winter vacation 2026-27 is not notified yet. Expect an announcement in November or early December and a break from late December, and rely only on the official notification.