School holidays 2025/26 and 2026/27 — week 8 (South) vs week 9 (West/North) per fylke
The Norwegian school calendar (skoleruta) is set by the Statsforvalter in each fylke and is largely uniform across the country, with one uniquely Norwegian feature: the winter break is deliberately split between week 8 and week 9. Oslo, Akershus, Østfold, Vestfold, Telemark, Innlandet, Buskerud and Agder take their winter break in week 8 (16-20 February 2026), while Vestland, Rogaland, Møre og Romsdal, Trøndelag, Nordland, Troms and Finnmark take week 9 (23-27 February 2026). The split reduces pressure on ski lifts, cabins and roads — Norway is the only Nordic country to do this systematically. The school year consists of 190 instructional days plus 6 planning days.
The autumn break is usually taken in week 40 (last week of September / first week of October) and lasts 5 school days — in Northern Norway typically slightly shorter (2-3 days) due to a longer summer holiday. The Christmas break starts just before Lillejulaften (or the Friday before) and lasts until after New Year’s Day. The Easter break varies with the date of Easter and normally covers Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Maundy Thursday plus the entire Easter weekend — in 2026 from 30 March to 6 April (week 14). The summer holiday starts around 19-20 June and lasts until mid-August (week 33), about 9 weeks in total. Following the 2024 fylke reform, Viken was split back into Akershus, Buskerud and Østfold; Vestfold and Telemark were split; and Troms and Finnmark were split — all changes are reflected in the updated school calendar.
Frequently asked questions — school holidays
What is the difference between week 8 and week 9 winter break? ▾
Norway is the only Nordic country to deliberately split the winter break to reduce pressure on ski lifts, cabins and roads. Week 8 (South): Oslo, Akershus, Østfold, Vestfold, Telemark, Innlandet, Buskerud and Agder. Week 9 (West/North): Vestland (incl. Bergen), Rogaland, Møre og Romsdal, Trøndelag, Nordland, Troms and Finnmark. The split was introduced in the 1980s and has remained stable. In 2026 week 8 = 16-20 February; week 9 = 23-27 February.
Which winter break does Oslo have? ▾
Oslo, Akershus and all of Southern Norway take winter break in WEEK 8 (16-20 February 2026; 22-26 February 2027). Bergen, Trondheim and all of Western and Northern Norway take week 9. When in doubt — check your school’s "skoleruta" (typically published in April the year before).
When does the summer holiday start in 2026? ▾
The 2025/26 summer holiday begins after the last school day on Friday 19 June 2026 (Oslo) and lasts until school starts in week 33 (around 17 August 2026). About 9 weeks in total. Northern Norway starts the holiday a few days earlier due to a shorter school year. The Norwegian summer holiday is one of Europe’s longest — surpassed only by certain Balkan countries.
Can municipalities deviate from the school calendar? ▾
Yes, each municipality (actually each Statsforvalter at the fylke level) sets its own skoleruta. The main framework — 190 instructional days + 6 planning days, autumn break, Christmas break, winter break (week 8 or 9), Easter break and summer holiday — is largely uniform. But dates can vary by 1-2 days between municipalities. Check your municipality’s website or your school’s skoleruta page for exact dates.
How many school days does Norway have? ▾
Norwegian schools have 190 instructional days + 6 planning days per school year — 196 days in total. The school year starts in week 33 (mid-August) and ends around 19-20 June. By comparison: Germany 188-208 school days, Sweden 178, Finland 188, USA 180. Norwegian children have one of Europe’s longest summer holidays (about 9 weeks).
Is there an autumn break in Northern Norway? ▾
Yes, but usually shorter. Northern Norway (Nordland, Troms, Finnmark) usually has a 2-3 day autumn break in week 40, while Southern Norway has 5 days. The difference is compensated with a slightly longer summer holiday. This is an old tradition based on the fact that Northern Norway often has more severe winter weather and a longer summer.
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