NT School Holidays 2026
View the Northern Territory school holiday dates for 2026, including NT Government student term dates, school holiday periods, student return dates and family planning notes for Darwin, Palmerston, Alice Springs, Katherine and regional NT communities.
Dates are based on NT Government school term dates. Non-government schools, flexible-calendar schools and individual school arrangements may vary.
Northern Territory School Holiday Calculator
Check the next Northern Territory school holiday break, or choose a specific holiday period.
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When are the NT school holidays in 2026?
The main NT school holiday periods for students in 2026 are from Friday 3 April to Monday 13 April, Saturday 20 June to Monday 13 July, Saturday 19 September to Monday 5 October, and the summer holidays begin on Friday 11 December 2026.
NT School Holidays 2026
These dates are written from a student and family planning perspective. The “students return” date is the next student attendance day after the holiday break.
| Holiday Period | Holiday Starts | Students Return |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 / Autumn school holidays | Friday 3 April 2026 | Tuesday 14 April 2026 |
| Term 2 / Mid-year school holidays | Saturday 20 June 2026 | Tuesday 14 July 2026 |
| Term 3 / Spring school holidays | Saturday 19 September 2026 | Tuesday 6 October 2026 |
| Term 4 / Summer school holidays | Friday 11 December 2026 | Wednesday 27 January 2027 |
Source: Northern Territory Government school term dates. Teacher start dates may differ from student start dates.
Northern Territory School Term Dates 2026
These are the 2026 NT Government student term dates. Families should use student dates when planning leave, childcare, travel and activities.
| School Term | Students Start | Students Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Thursday 29 January 2026 | Thursday 2 April 2026 |
| Term 2 | Tuesday 14 April 2026 | Friday 19 June 2026 |
| Term 3 | Tuesday 14 July 2026 | Friday 18 September 2026 |
| Term 4 | Tuesday 6 October 2026 | Thursday 10 December 2026 |
Planning for the 2026 NT School Holidays
School holiday planning in the Northern Territory can be affected by weather, regional travel, public holidays, school-specific arrangements and activity availability.
Check student return dates
NT school calendars often list teacher return dates before student return dates. Families should use the student return date when planning school holiday care and travel.
Plan around the wet and dry seasons
Darwin and the Top End can be affected by wet-season conditions, while Central Australia has different travel and weather considerations.
Confirm with your own school
Before booking flights, accommodation, camps or care, confirm dates with your child’s school, especially if they attend a non-government or flexible-calendar school.
2026 NT School Holiday Periods Explained
Term 1 school holidays 2026
The Term 1 school holiday break starts on Friday 3 April 2026, after students finish Term 1 on Thursday 2 April. Students return for Term 2 on Tuesday 14 April 2026.
Mid-year school holidays 2026
The mid-year break starts on Saturday 20 June 2026, after Term 2 finishes on Friday 19 June. Students return for Term 3 on Tuesday 14 July 2026.
Spring school holidays 2026
The Term 3 school holiday break starts on Saturday 19 September 2026, after Term 3 finishes on Friday 18 September. Students return for Term 4 on Tuesday 6 October 2026.
Summer school holidays 2026–2027
The summer school holidays begin on Friday 11 December 2026, after students finish Term 4 on Thursday 10 December. Students return for the 2027 school year on Wednesday 27 January 2027.
More NT School Holiday Pages
Use these pages to plan school holidays by year, location or activity type.
Check Official NT Government Term Dates
This page is designed as a family-friendly planning guide. For official dates, student-free days, flexible-calendar schools and school-specific details, check the NT Government source and confirm with your own school.
NT School Holidays 2026 FAQs
When do NT school holidays start in 2026?
The first main NT school holiday break in 2026 starts on Friday 3 April 2026, after students finish Term 1 on Thursday 2 April 2026.
When are the mid-year school holidays in the NT in 2026?
The mid-year NT school holiday break starts on Saturday 20 June 2026. Students return for Term 3 on Tuesday 14 July 2026.
When are the spring school holidays in the NT in 2026?
The spring school holiday break starts on Saturday 19 September 2026. Students return for Term 4 on Tuesday 6 October 2026.
When do the NT summer school holidays start in 2026?
The NT summer school holidays start on Friday 11 December 2026, after students finish Term 4 on Thursday 10 December 2026.
Are these dates for every Northern Territory school?
These dates are based on NT Government school term dates. Non-government schools, flexible-calendar schools and individual schools may have different arrangements.
Why do NT school calendars show teacher and student dates?
Teacher dates and student dates can differ because teachers may return before students. Families should use student start and finish dates when planning school holidays.