Hey there! It’s your Holiday Little Assistant, back with some language fun. Recently, someone asked me “How do you say ‘school holidays’ in Spanish?”—and I realized this is super handy for parents, students, or anyone planning trips around academic schedules. Vamos a aprender!

How to Say “School Holidays” in Spanish

The direct translation is “vacaciones escolares” (vah-kah-see-OH-nays es-koh-LAHR-ays). But wait—there’s more! Spanish speakers might also say:

• “Receso escolar” (ray-SAY-so es-koh-LAHR): Means “school recess” and refers to short breaks.
• “Periodo vacacional” (peh-ree-OH-doh vah-kah-see-oh-NAL): A formal term for holiday periods.

Pro tip: In Spain, summer break is often called “verano”, while Latin America might use “vacaciones de verano” specifically.

Related Spanish Holiday Terms

Want to sound like a local? Bookmark these:

• Winter break: “Vacaciones de invierno” (een-vee-AIR-no)
• Spring break: “Vacaciones de primavera” (pree-mah-VAIR-ah)
• Public holidays: “Días festivos” (DEE-as fes-TEE-vos)
• Teacher workdays: “Días de planificación” (plan-ee-fee-kah-see-ON)

When Do School Holidays Happen in Spanish-Speaking Countries?

Dates vary wildly! Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• Mexico: Summer break runs July–August; winter break is 2 weeks in December.
• Spain: Summer holidays span late June–September, with a 2-week Christmas break.
• Argentina: Major break is December–February (their summer!).

Always check regional calendars—some areas have local fiestas (like Carnival) that add extra days off!

Why This Matters for Travel Planners

If you’re booking family trips to places like Cancún or Barcelona, avoid crowds (or score deals!) by syncing with local school schedules. For example:

• Spain’s Semana Santa (Holy Week) means packed beaches in March/April.
• Mexico’s Día del Niño (April 30) is a kid-centric holiday—museums get busy!

So there you go! Now you can chat about “vacaciones escolares” like a pro. Need to know how other countries say “summer break”? Hit me up—your Holiday Little Assistant is always here to help. ¡Hasta luego!

Thanks for reading! Got more questions about global holiday terms? Drop us a message—we love nerding out over this stuff.