Easter 2026: two peaks in spring and how to prepare for them

Spring 2026 brings not one busy period, but two. Since the reform of the school calendar, Flanders and the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles each have their own spring holiday. For owners of a holiday home that is good news. Demand spreads over more weeks and you can respond to a peak twice.

But it does call for a plan. If you have not yet looked at your prices and minimum stays now, at the end of February 2026, you are missing opportunities. Families often book their Easter holidays weeks in advance. In this article you will find the dates in a row and read how to prepare for both peaks.

The dates for spring 2026

These are the moments that count:

• Easter falls on Sunday 5 April 2026.
• The Flemish Easter holidays run from Monday 6 April to Sunday 19 April 2026 inclusive.
• The spring holiday in Wallonia and Brussels runs from Monday 27 April to Friday 8 May 2026 inclusive. Easter Monday, 6 April, is also a day off there.
• 1 May 2026 falls on a Friday. For Flemish families that means a long weekend, in the middle of the French-speaking holiday.

So there is roughly a week between the two holidays. Then come the two weeks in which French-speaking families are off, with a long weekend for everyone in the middle.

Two different kinds of guests

The two peaks do not always attract the same audience. During the Flemish Easter holidays, mainly Dutch-speaking families book. They often choose the coast, the Westhoek or the Ardennes. During the spring holiday in Wallonia and Brussels, it is mainly French-speaking families who come, and they also like to head to the coast.

That has consequences for your listing. If your description is only in Dutch, you miss part of the second peak. Make sure your listing is also clear in French, as are your house rules and your arrival information. Small details help: a welcome message in the guest's language makes a good impression straight away.

Matching prices to each peak

Treat the two holidays as separate periods. For each, look at demand in your region and set a price that suits that demand. The Easter weekend itself and the first week of the Flemish holidays are usually the busiest. The second week can be somewhat quieter, depending on the weather.

The long weekend around 1 May deserves extra attention. It falls in the middle of the French-speaking holiday and is also a day off for Flemish guests. Two groups come together there, which can push up demand for short stays.

The week between the two holidays is a different story. Demand from families is lower then. A slightly lower price or a shorter minimum stay can fill those days with couples or working guests.

Keep following the prices. If a period fills faster than expected, the price for the remaining nights can go up. If a week stays noticeably empty, you adjust.

Setting minimum stays wisely

In a holiday period you do not want single nights between two longer bookings. A minimum stay of a few nights helps attract longer, quieter stays. That means fewer changeovers, less cleaning and less wear.

For the long weekend of 1 May you can consider a minimum of three nights, so that the whole weekend is booked in one booking. In the quieter week between the holidays you can lower the minimum.

Look at your calendar again a few weeks before each peak. If gaps of one or two nights have appeared, you can temporarily lower the minimum for those specific nights.

The property ready for spring

After the winter, every property deserves a thorough clean. Plan it in the quiet weeks of March, before the first peak begins.

Think of these points:

• wash the windows inside and out, so the spring light comes in
• clean or replace curtains, cushions and throws
• check mattresses and duvets and have them cleaned if needed
• check the heating, because spring evenings can still be chilly
• test the smoke detectors and replace the batteries
• go through the kitchen cupboards: replace missing plates, glasses or pans

After the big clean, take new photos if the property looks different in spring from your current images. Wintry photos sell poorly in April.

Garden and terrace ready for use

At Easter, guests want to be outdoors. A garden or terrace that looks neglected stands out immediately. Make sure everything is ready for the first sunny day.

Mow the lawn, trim what is overgrown and sweep the paths and terrace. Take the garden furniture out of storage, clean it and check that it is still sturdy. Provide enough chairs for the number of guests the property can host. If you have a barbecue, clean it and explain how it works. State in your house rules when and how the barbecue may be used, with consideration for the neighbours.

A few flowering pots at the entrance or on the terrace make a big difference. They cost little and immediately give the property a spring feeling.

Small Easter touches

Guests remember the details. A small Easter gesture costs little and can make the difference in a review. Think of a few chocolate eggs on the table on arrival, or a basket with something local. For families with children, a simple egg hunt in the garden can be a nice surprise. In that case, set out a few eggs with a short explanation.

Keep it simple and safe. Think of guests with allergies and do not leave the treat in the sun. A personal note in the guest's language often does more than a big present.

Plan now, reap the rewards later

At the end of February 2026 you still have plenty of time to get everything right. Check your prices for April and early May today, set the minimum stays and plan the spring clean in March. Then your property will be ready for two busy periods in a row.

Help for the spring peaks

YourDomi sets prices daily based on market data and communicates with guests 7 days a week in their own language. Our cleaning team works with a fixed checklist and a photo check, even in busy weeks. Would you like to know what spring 2026 could bring for your property? Request a personal proposal.