From summer break to the construction holiday – these are the dates that shape your planning
Whether you work in production, logistics or marketing — school holidays and the construction holiday (bouwvak) affect everyone in the industry. In 2026, the holidays are conveniently spread out, but with significant regional differences between the North, Central and South regions.
Smart planning helps you avoid downtime, staff shortages and delivery stress.
That's why we at deindustrie.online have laid everything out clearly: the official school holidays and the construction holiday 2026.
School Holidays 2026 by Region
The Dutch central government (Rijksoverheid) publishes the recommended school holiday dates every year.
Below you'll find the overview for the 2025-2026 school year.
Please note: schools may deviate slightly from these dates — so always check locally whether the exact dates match.
North Region
- Spring break: 21 February to 1 March 2026
- May break: 25 April to 3 May 2026
- Summer break: 4 July to 16 August 2026
- Autumn break: 10 October to 18 October 2026
Central Region
- Spring break: 14 February to 22 February 2026
- May break: 25 April to 3 May 2026
- Summer break: 18 July to 30 August 2026
- Autumn break: 17 October to 25 October 2026
South Region
- Spring break: 14 February to 22 February 2026
- May break: 25 April to 3 May 2026
- Summer break: 11 July to 23 August 2026
- Autumn break: 17 October to 25 October 2026
Source: Rijksoverheid – School Holidays 2026
Construction Holiday (Bouwvak) 2026 by Region
The construction holiday (bouwvak) is the unofficial "grand holiday" for the construction, engineering and industrial sectors.
This period varies by region and is based on the national recommended scheme of FNV Bouw.
North Region
- Construction holiday: 18 July to 7 August 2026
Central Region
- Construction holiday: 1 August to 21 August 2026
South Region
- Construction holiday: 25 July to 15 August 2026
Source: FNV Construction Holiday Regions 2026
Why These Dates Are Crucial for the Industry
In the manufacturing industry, construction and logistics, the construction holiday sets the operational rhythm each year.
Production lines run at half capacity, deliveries are postponed, and staff enjoy a well-earned break.
But for many companies, it's also the perfect moment to:
- Schedule maintenance;
- Install new machinery;
- Prepare marketing campaigns for Q3;
- Or restart the 3-phase growth planning of Marketing Factory Saris for the autumn.
"The construction holiday isn't a delay — it's an opportunity to plan ahead more intelligently," says Niko Saris in the Podcast about the Manufacturing Industry.
Smart Planning with Data
By combining the construction holiday with school holidays, you avoid planning problems.
HR managers can distribute holidays more effectively, and production or marketing teams can run extra campaigns precisely when competitors are at a standstill.
Want to know how to time your content and sales campaigns around the construction holiday?
Check out our page on Content Planning in the Manufacturing Industry for smart strategic tips.
For Parents in the Industry
For many employees in production or engineering, the construction holiday is also the ideal time to go on holiday with the family.
Because school holidays vary by region, families in the north can often leave earlier, while those in the south return later.
This makes cooperation between regions — for example in logistics and distribution — all the more important.
Tip: coordinate holiday planning with your manager in good time, especially if your company operates across multiple regions.
What Does the Industry Do During the Construction Holiday?
Most production companies use the construction holiday to:
- carry out major maintenance,
- upgrade installations,
- or train new staff.
At deindustrie.online we regularly share stories from factories that use the construction holiday to innovate or reorganise.
For example, check out our series 'The Silence of the Production Hall' on our YouTube channel.
The Podcast about Industry & Holidays
In the Podcast about the Manufacturing Industry we talk with entrepreneurs about how they handle the construction holiday, staffing and planning.
How do you keep your factory running?
What do you do with your marketing when everyone's away?
And how do you prepare for the rush after the summer?
🎧 Listen to the episode on Spotify.
What Does 2026 Mean for the Industry?
2026 will be an interesting year:
- The construction holiday falls conveniently, right in the middle of the summer break;
- The May break is early, leaving room for spring projects;
- And the autumn break falls late, ideal for autumn productions.
Those who anticipate staffing, projects and marketing now will have a head start later on.
At deindustrie.online we help companies grow in three phases — before, during and after the construction holiday.
Construction Holiday and Collective Labour Agreement Terms
The construction holiday is closely linked to the collective labour agreement (cao) terms in the manufacturing industry. Read our extensive overview on the Construction Holiday 2026 page with exact dates per region, or view the complete Metal & Engineering Collective Labour Agreement 2025-2026 for information on holiday days, reduced-working-hours days (ADV) and senior days.