Covering Christmas, Easter and bridge days (puentes)

Terms used

• Puentes — Puentes are bridge days: working days between a holiday and a weekend that many people, and often schools, take off.
• Días de libre disposición — Días de libre disposición are extra non-teaching days that each school may choose within its region's rules.
• Secretaría — The secretaría is the school's administrative office, where you can ask about calendars and paperwork.
• AMPA — The AMPA is the school's parents' association, which often runs activities and camps.
• Semana Santa — Semana Santa is Holy Week, the Easter holiday period when schools close.

Key rules

• Who sets the dates: Your region, your school and your town each set some non-teaching days, so check all three.
• Camp booking: Registration for Christmas and Easter camps usually opens one to two months before the break.
• Small towns: Smaller towns may have no camps, so ask the school or town hall early.

Find the dates early

Christmas, Easter and puentes are covered by finding your region's and town's non-teaching dates early, then booking a break camp or a one-day programme. Do the date check at the start of the school year, before camps fill up.

Non-teaching days are set at three levels:

• Your region. The regional education department publishes the official school calendar each year on its website. It gives start and end dates, holidays and the rules for días de libre disposición (extra days off that each school may choose).
• Your school. Each school picks its own días de libre disposición within the regional rules. You will find them on the school's website, its notice board or its yearly programme. If you can't find them, ask the school secretaría.
• Your town. Each town has two local holidays a year, set by the regional labour authority. Check them with your town hall.

Calendars are published every year, so check the current one rather than last year's. Puentes are the days that fall between a holiday and a weekend. They often turn out to be non-teaching days, so mark them as soon as you have the calendar.

Christmas and Easter camps

Camps run during the Christmas break (roughly 23 December to 5 January, except public holidays) and during Semana Santa (Easter week). They are offered by town councils, AMPAs (parent associations at the school), sports clubs and private companies.

• Hours: usually 9:00 to 14:00 on working days, often with optional lunch.
• Price: commonly 20 to 45 euros per day, or 80 to 160 euros per week. Municipal camps tend to be cheaper. These are typical ranges, so confirm the price with the organiser.
• Booking: registration usually opens one to two months before the break. Put a reminder in your calendar.

Availability varies. Cities and larger towns have plenty. Smaller towns may have none, so ask the school or town hall early. If there is no camp, you will need to arrange family, friends or a childminder.

One-day programmes for puentes

For a puente or a single non-teaching day, look for a one-day programme. Typical names are "cole sin cole", "escuela de puentes" and "días sin cole". Providers include AMPAs, extracurricular companies, town councils, sports clubs and language academies.

• Book online or through the AMPA or school, usually a week or more ahead.
• Programmes often need a minimum number of children, so late sign-ups may be refused or the day may be cancelled.
• Most cover ages 3 to 12, and there are far more in large cities.
• Some are cheaper for AMPA members or for children already in the school's extracurricular activities.
• Prices depend on the city, hours and whether lunch is included. Ask the provider for the current price.

The timeline and questions below cover the order of steps and common queries.

Timeline and deadlines

• Find your school's non-teaching days and local holidays: As soon as the yearly school calendar is published

• Book a one-day programme for a puente or single non-teaching day: A week or more ahead, since a minimum number of children is needed

• Use the camp at its usual hours and price: On working days during the break, 9:00 to 14:00, about 20 to 45 euros per day or 80 to 160 euros per week

Prices are typical 2025 ranges and booking times vary by provider; confirm with each one.

Frequently asked questions

Who runs one-day programmes for puentes?

One-day programmes for puentes are run by AMPAs (parent associations), extracurricular companies, town councils, sports clubs and language academies.

How far ahead should I book a one-day programme?

Book a one-day programme a week or more ahead, online or through the AMPA or school. Many need a minimum number of children to run, so early sign-up helps it go ahead.

What hours do Christmas and Easter camps usually run?

Christmas and Easter camps usually run from 9:00 to 14:00 on working days, with optional lunch.