Autumn half-term 2026
East Belgium
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Autumn half-term
The autumn half-term 2026 runs from 31 October to 8 November.
The autumn break in East Belgium usually lasts one week and falls at the end of October. The dates largely follow the Flemish calendar.
The region often experiences cold nights and valley fog at this time of year, giving the Ardennes a mysterious atmosphere. For students, it is a welcome interruption after the first intensive period of classes.
The autumn break also gives families in the region a chance to take advantage of the proximity to Germany and Luxembourg for short cross-border trips.
Activities during the autumn half-term
The Ardennes offer autumn hikes and mountain bike tours along scenic routes through the High Fens-Eifel Nature Park. Trips to the Halloween events at Plopsaland or Walibi are also popular.
Cultural offerings such as museums in Eupen and Sankt Vith round out the programme. The nearby cities of Aachen and Liege offer additional options for shopping and culture.
The Ikob, the museum of contemporary art in Eupen, regularly organises children's workshops during school holidays. For the adventurous, there is also the Vennbahn, a former railway line converted into one of the longest cycle paths in Europe.
Practical info about the autumn half-term
Sports camps and holiday childcare are offered by municipalities and associations. Public transport runs on the regular schedule.
The nine municipalities of East Belgium often bundle their holiday offerings on a central website. Care is available in both German and French, reflecting the bilingual nature of the region.
Parents who work across the border in Germany should be aware that German Herbstferien may fall on different dates.
Did you know this about the autumn half-term?
East Belgium is the smallest of the three communities with around 80,000 inhabitants. Nevertheless, the community has full autonomy over its education system and sets its school holiday calendar independently.
East Belgium has its own Minister of Education and its own parliament in Eupen. Although the holiday calendar often aligns with the Flemish one, there is no legal obligation to do so.
It is one of the smallest autonomous education regions in all of Europe.