Morocco school holidays 2026-2027: the complete official calendar
Want to know when the next break falls so you can plan travel or revision? This page sets out the school holiday calendar for the 2026/2027 academic year exactly as published by the Ministry of National Education: precise dates, day counts, the difference between an intercalary break and the mid-year holiday, and what to check before booking anything.
Full 2026-2027 school holiday calendar
This is the official school holiday list for the 2026/2027 academic year, as set out in Annex 1 of the ministerial note covering primary, lower-secondary and upper-secondary education. It applies to every public school in the country, and both the first and last day of the dates shown are included in the count.
| No. | School holiday | Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First intercalary break | Sunday 18 October 2026 to Sunday 25 October 2026 | 8 |
| 2 | Unity Day | Saturday 31 October 2026 | 1 |
| 3 | Green March Anniversary | Friday 6 November 2026 | 1 |
| 4 | Independence Day | Wednesday 18 November 2026 | 1 |
| 5 | Second intercalary break | Sunday 6 December 2026 to Sunday 13 December 2026 | 8 |
| 6 | New Year's Day | Friday 1 January 2027 | 1 |
| 7 | Independence Manifesto Day | Monday 11 January 2027 | 1 |
| 8 | Amazigh New Year | Thursday 14 January 2027 | 1 |
| 9 | Mid-year school holiday | Sunday 24 January 2027 to Sunday 31 January 2027 | 8 |
| 10 | Eid al-Fitr | 29 Ramadan to 2 Shawwal 1448 | 3 or 4 |
| 11 | Third intercalary break | Sunday 21 March 2027 to Sunday 28 March 2027 | 8 |
| 12 | Labour Day | Saturday 1 May 2027 | 1 |
| 13 | Fourth intercalary break | Sunday 9 May 2027 to Sunday 16 May 2027 | 8 |
| 14 | Eid al-Adha | 9 to 11 Dhu al-Hijja 1448 | 3 |
| 15 | 1 Muharram | 1 Muharram 1449 | 1 |
What exactly is an intercalary break?
This is the notion that confuses most parents looking up school holidays. It is not an ordinary holiday: it is a scheduled rest period between two teaching units within the same semester, lasting 8 full days including weekends.
The 2026-2027 school year has four of them: October 2026, December 2026, March 2027 and May 2027. Each follows roughly seven weeks of uninterrupted teaching. That rhythm is deliberate: pupil performance drops after long unbroken stretches.
The mid-year holiday is different: it separates the first and second semesters and falls after the first-session marks have been validated. In 2026-2027 it runs from Sunday 24 January to Sunday 31 January 2027.
How many holiday days in total?
Adding up the days in the 2026-2027 school holiday list: four intercalary breaks of 8 days each make 32 days, plus the 8-day mid-year holiday for 40 days, plus roughly twelve days of national and religious festivals depending on when the two Eids fall.
The total comes to around 52 days across the year, excluding the summer holiday. The figure stays approximate: Eid al-Fitr may last 3 or 4 days, and a festival falling on a Sunday adds no extra rest day.
A practical point: in 2026-2027 Unity Day falls on Saturday 31 October 2026 and Labour Day on Saturday 1 May 2027. Neither will add a day off.
Planning the year around this calendar
Knowing the school holiday calendar in advance is not just information — it is a planning tool. Here is how organised families use it:
- Booking travel: the December 2026 (6-13) and March 2027 (21-28) breaks are the two best windows for family travel, being furthest from exam periods
- Catching up: the May 2027 break (9-16) comes shortly before the end of the year — a revision window, not a travel one
- Mid-year holiday: avoid long trips if your child is in an examination year; it is the last chance to correct course before the second semester
- Medical and administrative appointments: schedule them during intercalary breaks rather than taking your child out of class
The four intercalary breaks one by one
| Break | Dates | Position in the year | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | 18-25 October 2026 | After 6 weeks of teaching | Settling the rhythm: still adjusting |
| Second | 6-13 December 2026 | Before the end of semester one | Focused revision: assessments are close |
| Third | 21-28 March 2027 | Mid second semester | Genuine rest: the best travel window |
| Fourth | 9-16 May 2027 | Before certifying exams | Final revision: not a time to travel |
The second and fourth breaks precede important assessment points. Families who use them for revision see a clear difference, particularly for pupils in certifying years: sixth-year primary, third-year collegiate, and first and second year of the baccalaureate.
Does this apply to everyone?
| Sector | Same holidays? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Public sector | Yes | The official calendar applies exactly |
| Private sector | Usually | Bound by national festivals, some latitude on breaks |
| Foreign missions | No | Their own calendar tied to the home country |
| Pre-school | Yes | Integrated into public schools |
| Universities | No | An entirely separate academic calendar |
| Vocational training | Partly | OFPPT has its own calendar |
If your child attends a private school, ask the administration directly: most publish their calendar at the start of the year and respect national festivals while occasionally shifting intercalary breaks by a day or two.
Where to find the official source
The official school holiday list is published by the Ministry of National Education, Pre-school and Sports in an annual ministerial note, as an annex to the note organising the academic year.
- Official ministry portal: men.gov.ma, notes and circulars section
- Regional academies: each republishes the note on its own site
- School administration: the list is posted on the noticeboard from the start of the year
School holidays versus university holidays
| Criterion | School holidays | University holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | Ministry of National Education | Each university individually |
| National uniformity | Uniform nationwide | Varies between universities |
| Structure | Intercalary breaks + mid-year | Tied to examination sessions |
| Publication | Annual ministerial note | The university's own website |
In practice: do not rely on the school holiday calendar to plan a trip with a university-age child. The gap can reach two full weeks.
Frequently asked questions
How many holidays are there in 2026-2027?
Fifteen official periods: four intercalary breaks, the mid-year holiday and ten national and religious festivals. The total comes to around 52 days excluding the summer break, subject to the two Eid dates set on the Hijri calendar.
When is the 2027 mid-year holiday?
From Sunday 24 January 2027 to Sunday 31 January 2027, that is 8 days counting the first and last day.
What is the difference between an intercalary break and ordinary holidays?
An intercalary break is scheduled rest between two teaching units within the same semester and lasts 8 days. The mid-year holiday separates the two semesters. There are four intercalary breaks in 2026-2027.
Do private schools follow the same list?
Private schools are bound by national and religious festivals but have limited latitude on intercalary breaks. Ask the administration at the start of the year.
Where can I find the official calendar?
In the annual ministerial note on men.gov.ma, on regional academy websites and on the school noticeboard. Avoid unofficial sources.
Are festivals falling on a Saturday made up?
No. In 2026-2027, Unity Day falls on Saturday 31 October 2026 and Labour Day on Saturday 1 May 2027, with no replacement day.