The Punjab government has not yet announced the winter vacation dates for 2026-27. This page will be updated as soon as the School Education Department issues the official notification.
Punjab Winter Vacation Dates: Last Two Years
| Winter break | Schools (public and private) | Total days (inclusive) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 20 December 2024 to 10 January 2025 | 22 days |
| 2025-26 | 22 December 2025 to 10 January 2026 | 20 days |
In recent years, the notification was issued between November and mid-December. Dates have sometimes been changed because of cold weather, so always check the latest official notification.
Why Punjab Schools Get a Winter Break
The winter break protects students from harsh cold, dense morning fog and smog in central Punjab, and from seasonal respiratory illness.
Will Winter Vacations Be Extended in Punjab?
A possible extension cannot be ruled out if the cold wave intensifies. In previous years, Punjab extended winter holidays up to 3 weeks because of severe fog and temperature drops. Parents should stay in touch with their school and follow the official notification of the School Education Department.
How to Check the Official Notification
School winter vacation notifications are issued by the Punjab School Education Department (schools.punjab.gov.pk). College dates are issued separately by the Punjab Higher Education Department (hed.punjab.gov.pk). For 2025-26, colleges were notified to close from 23 December 2025 to 10 January 2026.
What Parents Should Keep in Mind
- Make sure children have warm clothes when schools reopen.
- Limit early-morning outdoor exposure during fog and smog.
- Confirm revised winter school timings with your school after the break.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do winter vacations start in Punjab in 2026?
The dates for 2026-27 have not been announced yet. Last year, schools observed winter vacations from 22 December to 10 January.
When will Punjab schools reopen after the winter holidays?
The reopening date will be stated in the official notification. Check the School Education Department website for the latest update.
Do Lahore and Rawalpindi follow the same dates?
In recent years, the notification applied to all districts of Punjab, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Multan. Check the latest notification for 2026-27.
Can winter vacations be extended in Punjab?
Extensions are possible if temperatures drop further or smog worsens. Follow official announcements.
Do private schools follow the same winter break?
In recent notifications, the winter vacation applied to both government and private schools. Check the latest notification to confirm for 2026-27.
Why does Punjab observe winter vacations?
To protect students during extreme cold, dense fog and seasonal illnesses.
