School Holidays: What Parents Need to Know
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School holidays are simultaneously the most anticipated time of the year for children and the most challenging for parents. Between juggling work schedules, finding suitable activities, and keeping kids entertained for weeks on end, planning ahead makes all the difference.
Whether you've been living in Lisbon for years or have recently moved to Portugal, this guide covers everything you need to know about the 2025/2026 school holidays: dates, activity options, holiday camps, free programmes, and practical tips for every break throughout the year.
Portuguese School Calendar 2025/2026: All the Dates
Before planning anything, you need the dates locked in. Here is a summary of the school breaks for the 2025/2026 academic year in Portugal:
| Holiday Period | Dates | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival | 16-18 February 2026 | 3 days (+ weekend) |
| Easter | 30 March - 13 April 2026 | 2 weeks |
| Summer | Mid-June to mid-September 2026 | ~3 months |
| Christmas | 18 December 2026 - 4 January 2027 | ~2.5 weeks |
Important note: The exact start date of summer holidays varies by education level. Primary school pupils (1st cycle) typically finish earlier (mid-June), while secondary students may have classes until late June. Always confirm the exact dates with your child's school.
Easter Holidays: Two Weeks of Opportunities
The Easter break (30 March to 13 April 2026) is often the trickiest to manage — two full weeks when most parents are still working.
What to Do in Lisbon at Easter
Easter holiday camps: Most activity centres, kids' gyms, and sports schools across Lisbon run dedicated Easter programmes, usually in weekly blocks (5 days, 9am to 5:30pm).
- Multi-sport camps — Combining football, swimming, gymnastics, and games. Ideal for high-energy kids
- Creative camps — Visual arts, theatre, music, and dance. Perfect for expressive children
- Nature camps — Outdoor activities, educational gardens, trails in the Sintra or Arrabida hills
- Science and technology camps — Robotics, coding, hands-on science experiments
Average cost: 120-250 EUR per week (lunch included in most cases)
One-off activities:
- Easter workshops at museums (Pavilhao do Conhecimento, Maritime Museum)
- Egg hunts in Lisbon's parks and gardens
- Special programmes at the Lisbon Zoo and Oceanarium
- Children's theatre shows (Teatro Politeama, Sao Luiz)
Tip: Registrations for Easter camps typically open in February. The most popular ones fill up fast — don't leave it to the last week.
Summer Holidays: The Big Challenge
With roughly three months off, summer is the period that demands the most planning and creativity. The good news is that Lisbon offers an enormous variety of options.
Summer Holiday Camps in Lisbon
Summer camps typically run from mid-June to mid-September in weekly blocks. Here are the main categories:
Sport and adventure:
- Surf camps at Costa da Caparica and Carcavelos (from age 6)
- Sailing and water sports camps in Cascais and Oeiras
- Multi-sport camps at local clubs and associations
- Horse-riding camps in the Sintra and Mafra areas
Arts and culture:
- Theatre and drama camps
- Music camps (instruments, singing, composition)
- Film and animation workshops for young people
- Dance camps (ballet, hip-hop, creative dance)
Science and technology:
- Coding and robotics camps
- Science camps at the Pavilhao do Conhecimento
- Nature and ecology camps
Average cost: 150-300 EUR per week | Monthly programmes: 400-800 EUR
Lisbon City Council Programmes
Every year, the Lisbon City Council (Camara Municipal de Lisboa, or CML) organises free or reduced-price holiday programmes for children and young people living in the municipality. These include:
- Sports Holidays (Ferias Desportivas) — Free sports activities at municipal facilities
- Lisbon in the Parks (Lisboa nos Parques) — Outdoor animation programmes in city parks
- Cultural programme — Guided visits, workshops at municipal libraries and museums
Tip: Municipal programmes have limited places and registrations typically open in May. Keep an eye on the CML website and your local parish council (junta de freguesia).
When Grandparents Step In
Many Portuguese families split the summer: some weeks in holiday camps, others with grandparents (often outside Lisbon, in the countryside or the Algarve). If you have family nearby, this combination can be the most balanced — and affordable — solution.
Christmas Holidays: Special Programmes
The Christmas break (18 December 2026 to 4 January 2027) is shorter and typically spent with family, but there are options for the days when parents need to work.
What Lisbon Offers at Christmas
- Christmas holiday camps — Programmes of 3 to 5 days, often themed (Christmas cooking, crafts, theatre). Cost: 80-150 EUR
- Wonderland Lisboa — The Christmas park in Parque Eduardo VII, with an ice rink, carousels, and shows. Open from December to January
- Shows and concerts — The Coliseu, Teatro Politeama, and many other venues have special children's programming
- Nativity scenes and Christmas markets — The Christmas market at Terreiro do Paco and the nativity scenes across the city are free and memorable outings
Tip: Many Christmas activities in Lisbon are outdoor and free. Check the CML cultural agenda so you don't miss anything.
Free vs. Paid Activities: Where to Save
Not every school holiday has to cost a fortune. Here is a realistic map of costs and free alternatives:
Free or Low-Cost Options
- Parks and gardens — Monsanto, Jardim da Estrela, Parque das Nacoes. Bring a picnic and you're sorted
- Beaches — From June to September, the beaches along the Cascais line and Costa da Caparica are the quintessential summer programme
- Municipal libraries — Story time, creative workshops, reading clubs. All free
- CML events — Festivals, concerts, and community activities across neighbourhoods and parks. Check the agenda regularly
- Free museum Sundays — Many national museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of each month
When It's Worth Investing
- Structured holiday camps — When you need full-time coverage during working weeks
- Classes and courses — If your child wants to develop a specific skill (instrument, sport, language)
- Unique experiences — A day of surfing, a visit to KidZania, or a special workshop can create memories that last a lifetime
Realistic summer budget in Lisbon: Counting on 4-6 weeks of holiday camps, expect to invest between 600 and 1,800 EUR per child, depending on the type of programme.
Tips for Planning Ahead
The difference between chaotic holidays and stress-free holidays almost always comes down to planning. Here are our recommendations:
Planning Timeline
- January-February: Research Easter and summer camps. Compare prices, locations, and schedules
- March: Register for Easter camps. Start booking summer camps (the best ones sell out by April)
- April-May: Confirm summer registrations. Watch for municipal free programme sign-ups
- October-November: Research options for Christmas holidays
Practical Tips
- Ask other parents for recommendations — School parent groups on Facebook and WhatsApp are goldmines of information
- Visit the venues beforehand — If possible, take your child to see the space before the first day
- Check insurance and licensing — Legal holiday camps in Portugal must be registered and carry personal accident insurance
- Flexibility is key — Not every child enjoys holiday camps. Respect your child's temperament
- Team up with other parents — Rotating children between friends' houses can be a creative and free solution for the odd day here and there
Resources for Expat Parents
If you've recently moved to Lisbon, school holidays can be particularly challenging — without a family support network nearby and still learning how the system works.
What You Need to Know
- International schools follow different calendars — British, American, and French schools have their own schedules, with half-term breaks that don't align with Portuguese state schools
- Holiday camps in Lisbon are mostly in Portuguese — But many welcome international children and some offer bilingual programmes. Ask before enrolling
- Expat communities — Groups like "Expat Parents in Lisbon" on Facebook are excellent for swapping tips and organising joint activities
- Au pairs and babysitters — Platforms like Babysits and Yoopies have many profiles in Lisbon. This can be a flexible solution for one-off days
Holiday Camps with English-Language Programmes
Some camps in Lisbon offer programmes in English or bilingual formats, particularly:
- Camps linked to international schools
- Surf and water sports camps (many instructors speak English)
- Technology and coding camps (the digital language is universal)
Tip for expats: Enrolling your children in a Portuguese-language camp can be an excellent way to accelerate their language integration. Children adapt faster than you might think.
Find the Best Holiday Activities
On KidsToGo, we bring together hundreds of activities, holiday camps, and programmes for children in Lisbon — all organised by type, age, location, and time of year. Stop spending hours searching: find everything in one place.
Explore activities for kids in Lisbon
School holidays don't have to be a headache — with the right planning, they can be the best times of the year for the whole family. Start planning today.
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