South Australian School Holidays & Public Holidays 2023

Studying and gaining new knowledge is essential, but so is rest. School holidays are a way to let kids be kids and regain their energy after working hard at school.

In this article, we’ve compiled a list of school holidays and public holidays to help parents who are planning breaks with their kids.

School Holidays in South Australia

School holidays allow students to get some time off from school and do things that they’ve set aside to focus on school. They also provide time for families to get together, catch up, and bond.

Here is the list of holidays they’ll have this school year and some suggestions on what to do to help you plan and make the most out of your children’s school break.

Easter and Autumn School Holidays: April 15, 2023 – May 30, 2023

The Easter and autumn school holidays in South Australia start on April 15, 2023, and end on May 30, 2023. This is also the first school holiday for the school year.

Around this time of the year, there are a lot of things you can do to re-energise your kids before the second term starts and they go through another term of learning.

The autumn season has a pleasant temperature, so it’s a great time to go out and have fun. 

You can take them out on play dates with their friends, ride a bike around the neighbourhood, attend some painting workshops, or go on a trip to Adelaide Hills.

You’ll see the most colourful and beautiful autumn leaves in Mount Lofty, Hahndorf, and Stirling, so it’s an excellent destination for families who want to enjoy the autumn season.

Winter School Holidays: July 8, 2023 – July 23, 2023

The school holidays for the second term and winter start on July 8, 2023, and end on July 23, 2023.

South Australia enjoys a relatively mild winter compared to other states, so you don’t have to worry about being locked at home during the holidays.

For the winter school holidays, you can drop by some indoor play centres and play a round of mini golf or laser tag, attend some circus shows, visit some art galleries, watch some movies, or join programs hosted by schools.

If it gets too rainy to go outside, then you can pull out the board games and puzzles and have a family game night to entertain the kids. You can also try out new recipes with your kids by your side.

Don’t let the rainy weather stop you from making the most out of your kids’ winter school holiday.

Spring School Holidays: September 30 2023 – October 15, 2023

The third term’s school holidays will be from September 30, 2023, to October 15, 2023, during the spring season.

If you haven’t gone to Adelaide Hill in autumn, this holiday will be the perfect chance to make up for it. You can visit the Springlake at Mount Barker, have a picnic at the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, and visit some barns in Hahndorf.

If going on a trip will be hard for your schedule, then you can visit Adelaide Botanic Garden and watch the plants become even more beautiful or admire the beautiful purple carpet brought to life by the Jacaranda trees.

There are a lot of things you can do to make your little one’s spring school holiday extra special, but be sure to also take this time as a way to relax and have fun.

Summer / Christmas School Holidays: December 16, 2022 – Sunday, January 28, 2023

This school holiday might just be the merriest out of all the school holidays your kids will have throughout the school year. It’s a school holiday during summer and Christmas—three things kids absolutely love!

The school holiday for the 4th term will be on December 16, 2023, to January 28, 2023, so be sure to prepare some activities for your kids.

Around this time of the year, spending some time at the beach will be perfect. Waterparks are also great ways to fight the heat and have fun.

The strawberries are also in season around this time, so going on a strawberry-picking adventure will surely help re-energise your little ones.

Additionally, since it’s the Christmas season, there will be a lot of Christmas light displays in Adelaide and nearby suburbs, which means you don’t have to go that far just to entertain the kids.

Making some ice creams and popsicles is also another great activity that your kids can engage in to make their summer school holiday the best holiday ever.

South Australian Public Holidays

Aside from the school holidays mentioned above, there are also a lot of public holidays that parents should take note of.

January 1–2, 2023: New Year’s Day

Welcome the new year with your family while watching fireworks and enjoying a tasty dinner.

January 26, 2023: Australia Day

Celebrate the national holiday with your family by watching some parades, attending events, or just having lunch together.

March 13, 2023: Adelaide Cup Day

The Adelaide Cup Day is unique to South Australians and is a holiday meant to recognise the cup’s importance to Adelaide’s culture and tourism.

April 7, 2023: Good Friday

Good Friday is an important holiday for Christians. For those who celebrate, be sure to attend some prayer vigils and special services.

April 8, 2023: Easter Saturday

For Easter Saturday, spend the day having a simple meal with your family after attending mass or catching up with some friends. You may also host an easter egg hunt to make it extra memorable.

April 10, 2023: Easter Monday

Easter Monday is part of the long Easter weekend that South Australians celebrate. It’s a great day to take some time off and recharge before returning to work and school the next day.

April 25, 2023: Anzac Day

This public holiday is observed to celebrate the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli, Turkey, on April 25, 1915, and to remember the victims of the war.

June 12, 2023: King’s Birthday

Although King Charles III’s birthday is in November, the official date for the celebration is set in June. It will be a long weekend, so you have more time to rest and relieve stress. 

October 2, 2023: Labour Day

This day is meant to give workers a chance to relax and do some recreation, so be sure to leave your work, focus on yourself, and spend the day with your family.

December 24–25, 2023: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

It’s the best day of the year, and it’s just right for the family to come together and celebrate it. Exchange some gifts with your loved ones and share a fulfilling dinner together.

December 26, 2023: Proclamation Day and Boxing Day

This day celebrates the founding and proclamation of the South Australian government. It will be a long weekend, so you don’t have to worry about waking up early for school or work.

December 31, 2023: New Year’s Eve

Everyone celebrates New Year’s Eve differently. Some host barbecue parties, go on a cruise, or eat out in a restaurant.