Spring half-term 2026: prices and planning for two different weeks

The spring half-term (krokusvakantie) is the first real holiday period of the new year. For owners on the coast and in the Ardennes, that means a welcome revival after the quiet weeks of January. In 2026, though, something unusual is going on: Flanders and Wallonia do not have holidays of the same length.

If you take that into account now, in mid-January 2026, you can price both weeks separately and get more out of the period. In this article, you will see how.

Two calendars, two weeks

In Flanders, the spring half-term runs from 16 to 22 February 2026. That is one week.

In Wallonia and Brussels, it is called the spring half-term or carnival holiday. It runs from 16 to 27 February 2026. That is two weeks.

So the first week, from 16 to 22 February, coincides for all Belgian families. The second week is a holiday only for French-speaking families from Wallonia and Brussels.

That makes the first week the busier of the two. Flemish, Walloon and Brussels families are looking for a stay at the same time. The second week draws a smaller, but clearly different group.

Where the demand lies

On the coast, the spring half-term is traditionally a good period. Flemish families like to head to the sea for a few days of fresh air, walks on the beach and a waffle on the seafront. In the first week, French-speaking families join them. In the second week, the latter are almost the only holiday guests.

In the Ardennes, it is different. There, families from all over the country come in both weeks, with a strong presence from Brussels and Wallonia. As a result, the second week often remains in fair demand.

Also look beyond Belgium. If you often welcome Dutch or German guests, check their school holidays on the official websites. They differ per region.

Price the two weeks differently

A mistake many owners make is one price for the whole period from 16 to 27 February. That way you charge too little in the first week, or too much in the second.

A better approach:

• First week (16 to 22 February). This is the peak. Set your prices clearly above the level of an ordinary winter week, especially for the weekend.
• Second week (23 to 27 February). Demand is smaller and mainly French-speaking. Keep prices above the level of an ordinary week, but below that of the first week.
• Weekends around the holiday. The weekend before 16 February and the weekend of 21 and 22 February are often stronger than the weekdays.

Follow the bookings from week to week. If the first week fills up quickly in January, you have room to set the remaining nights higher. If the second week is still largely empty at the start of February, lower prices gradually.

Minimum stay per week

The minimum stay can also differ per week.

In the first week, families often book a full week or a long stay of five nights. A minimum of three or four nights protects you against single nights that fragment the calendar.

In the second week, a shorter minimum is often smarter. Two or three nights makes it easier to fill the week with shorter stays.

Do not forget the transition. A stay that starts in the first week and ends in the second is attractive for French-speaking families. Allow that combination.

Winter comfort makes the difference

In February it is cold and often wet. Guests spend a lot of time indoors. A property that is prepared for that gets better reviews.

A few points to watch:

• Turn the heating up well in time before arrival, especially after empty days.
• Provide extra blankets and throws on the sofa and in the bedrooms.
• Make sure there is a place to dry wet coats and boots.
• Put out board games, books and drawing materials for children.
• Check that the wifi and the television work properly. They are used more on rainy days.

On the coast, a bucket and spade for the beach help, even in winter. Children love playing in the sand, whatever the weather does. A foot wash or a shoe rack at the entrance keeps the sand outside.

In the Ardennes, think of firewood for the stove, clear instructions and grit at the entrance.

A last-minute strategy

Not all nights are booked weeks in advance. Families who are still hesitating often only decide in the last two weeks. That offers opportunities, but calls for a plan.

Set a floor in advance. Below what price would you rather not let? That floor depends on your fixed costs per stay, such as cleaning and linen.

Lower prices gradually in the last two weeks, not all at once. Also look at the minimum stay. A single night left over between two bookings can still be opened up at the last moment.

Respond quickly to guests' questions. People who book at the last moment often choose the owner who answers first.

A short step-by-step plan

1. Set a separate price for both weeks in your calendar.
2. Set a separate minimum stay per week.
3. Look at the bookings weekly and adjust.
4. Get the property ready for winter weather.
5. Decide your last-minute floor in advance.

Help with prices and planning

Two different weeks call for careful follow-up of prices and minimum stay. YourDomi adjusts prices daily based on market data and communicates with guests 7 days a week in their own language, so that last-minute questions also get a quick answer. If you would like to know what that means for your property, request a personal proposal.