Your complete guide to planning time off, family trips, and long weekends!

A new year brings new opportunities to plan ahead. With a fresh year ahead, knowing the 2026 Western Australia school and public holiday dates early makes planning easier. Many WA families are already planning road trips, beach days, and simple getaways to make the most of school holidays. 

Whether you’re booking weekend getaways, organising childcare, or syncing calendars with loved ones interstate, having accurate holiday dates is essential — so you can plan with confidence. Below you’ll find the public holidays, school holiday breaks, and special observances across Western Australia for 2026. Start marking your calendar!

Disclaimer: Dates are sourced from government releases and reputable aggregators, but holiday schedules (especially for dates far in the future) can change. Always check the official WA Government or Department of Education notices for any updates.

Western Australia Public Holidays 2026

Here’s the full list of 2026 public holidays observed across Western Australia:

Holiday rules to know:

*When a holiday such as ANZAC Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday is usually declared as an extra public holiday — as shown above.

Click here to view the 2026 Goldfields Business Planner.

Western Australia School Holidays 2026

When do the Western Australia school holidays in 2026 start? Planning school breaks early helps organise family travel, childcare, and rest days around work schedules.

School year structure:
WA public schools follow a four-term year with holidays between terms.

Term & Holiday Dates 

Semester 1

Semester 2

*Some schools may finish earlier or later in December, and Year 12 calendars may vary slightly. Always check with your specific school for exact details.

Reference: Department of Education 

Western Australia Observances 2026

Beyond official public and school holidays, there are plenty of special days and cultural observances to mark in 2026. These include:

• Valentine’s Day – 14 February
• International Women's Day – 8 March
• St. Patrick's Day – 17 March 
• Harmony Day – 21 March
• Earth Hour Day (8:30 pm - 9:30 pm) – 28 March
• World Health Day – 7 April 
• Mother’s Day – 10 May
• International Museum Day – 18 May
• National Sorry Day – 26 May
• Mabo Day – 3 June
• World Oceans Day  – 8 June
• International Day of Friendship – 30 July
• Father’s Day – 6 September
• Melbourne Cup Day – 3 November
• New Year’s Eve – 31 December

(These aren’t public holidays in WA, but they’re great for planning community activities, family celebrations, or travel events.)

Reference: Public holidays in Western Australia. (2026, January 5). WA Government. 

Why These Dates Matter

Whether you’re:

• A parent or carer coordinating school breaks and family plans
• A worker organising leave or long weekends
• A student wanting to stay on top of their semester
• A business owner planning staffing or seasonal promotions

…these dates help you make the most of 2026! From Easter road trips to summer beach escapes, now’s the time to start dreaming — and planning.