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School breaks are the perfect time to have fun and quality time with your children. For parents, knowing these dates is crucial for planning holidays, family visits, and exciting activities. It’s also important to arrange any childcare in advance if you’ll be working on these days.
Here’s what you need to know:
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An overview of school holidays in the UK
Each of the UK’s four countries – England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland – sets its own school calendar each year, leading to variations in holiday dates across the country. The local councils publish their school calendar well in advance to allow families to plan accordingly.
Schools in England, Wales, and Scotland usually have three main holidays throughout the year, including during Winter, Spring, and Summer. They also have breaks halfway through each of the three terms, known as ‘half term.’ Students in Northern Ireland get five annual holidays, with shorter half-term breaks and an extra two weeks off during the summer.
There are also a few other days off, typically around Christian holidays.
International schools in the UK generally follow the same holiday dates as other schools in the country, though they may have longer summer and Christmas breaks, as well as additional or different days off. Be sure to check with your child’s school for full details.
When are the UK school holidays in 2025–2026?
2025–2026 school holidays in England
Dates might vary from council to council – check with your school.
| Holiday | Date(s) |
| First day of school | 1 September 2025 |
| Half-term break | 27-31 October 2025 |
| Christmas holiday | 22 December 2025 – 2 January 2026 |
| Half-term break | 16-20 February 2026 |
| Easter holiday | 30 March – 10 April 2026 |
| Half-term break | 25-29 May 2026 |
| Summer break | 23 July – 31 August 2026 |
2025–2026 school holidays in Wales
Dates might vary from council to council – check with your school.
| Holiday | Date(s) |
| First day of school | 1 September 2025 |
| Autumn half term | 27-31 October 2025 |
| Christmas holiday | 22 December 2025 – 2 January 2026 |
| Spring half term | 16-20 February 2026 |
| Easter holiday | 30 March – 10 April 2026 |
| Summer half term | 25-29 May 2026 |
| Summer holiday | 23 July – 31 August 2026 |
2025–2026 school holidays in Scotland
Dates might vary from council to council – check with your school.
| Occasion | Date(s) |
| First day of school | 13 August 2025 |
| Mid-term holiday | 13-17 October 2025 |
| Christmas holiday | 22 December 2025 – 2 January 2026 |
| Mid-term holiday | 16-20 February 2026 |
| Easter holiday | 3-20 April 2026 |
| Mid-term holiday | 4 May 2026 |
| Summer holiday | 29 June – 11 August 2026 |
2025–2026 school holidays in Northern Ireland
Dates might vary from council to council – check with your school.
| Holiday | Date(s) |
| First day of school | 1 September 2025 |
| Halloween | 30-31 October 2025 |
| Christmas holiday | 22 December 2025 – 2 January 2026 |
| Mid-term break | 12-13 February 2026 |
| Easter holiday | 2-10 April 2026 |
| Spring bank holiday | 25 May 2026 |
| Summer holiday | 1 July – 31 August 2026 |
Other important dates in 2025–2026
In the UK, schools may close for a number of national and local holidays. These can differ per country; for example, while all UK students get the day off for Good Friday, only those in Northern Ireland are free on Saint Patrick’s Day.
The additional holiday dates for the 2025–2026 school year are:
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Region |
| Saint Andrew’s Day observance | 1 December 2025 | Mon | Scotland |
| Saint Patrick’s Day | 17 March 2026 | Tues | Northern Ireland |
Some schools will also close for certain things, like staff training or pupil book days. Be sure to check with your school for a comprehensive list; many schools will publish this information online.
When are the UK school holidays in 2026–2027?
2026–2027 school holidays in England
Dates might vary from council to council – check with your school.
| Holiday | Date(s) |
| First day of school | 1 September 2026 |
| Half-term break | 26-30 October 2026 |
| Christmas holiday | 21 December 2026 – 1 January 2027 |
| Half-term break | 15-19 February 2027 |
| Easter holiday | 26 March – 9 April 2027 |
| Half-term break | 31 May – 4 June 2027 |
| Summer break | 22 July – 31 August 2027 |
2026–2027 school holidays in Wales
Dates might vary from council to council – check with your school.
| Holiday | Date(s) |
| First day of school | 1 September 2026 |
| Autumn half term | 26-30 October 2026 |
| Christmas holiday | 21 December 2026 – 1 January 2027 |
| Spring half term | 15-19 February 2027 |
| Easter holiday | 26 March – 9 April 2027 |
| Summer half term | 31 May – 4 June 2027 |
| Summer holiday | 22 July – 31 August 2027 |
2026–2027 school holidays in Scotland
Dates might vary from council to council – check with your school.
| Occasion | Date(s) |
| First day of school | 12 August 2026 |
| Mid-term holiday | 12-16 October 2026 |
| Christmas holiday | 21 December 2026 – 5 January 2027 |
| Mid-term holiday | 15-19 February 2027 |
| Easter holiday | 5-16 April 2027 |
| Mid-term holiday | 3 May 2027 |
| Summer holiday | starts 30 June |
2026–2027 school holidays in Northern Ireland
Dates might vary from council to council – check with your school.
| Holiday | Date(s) |
| First day of school | Dates not yet available |
| Halloween | Dates not yet available |
| Christmas holiday | Dates not yet available |
| Mid-term break | Dates not yet available |
| Easter holiday | Dates not yet available |
| Spring bank holiday | Dates not yet available |
| Summer holiday | Dates not yet available |
Other important dates in 2026–2027
The additional holiday dates for the 2026–2027 school year are:
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Region |
| Saint Andrew’s Day | 30 November 2026 | Mon | Scotland |
| Saint Patrick’s Day | 17 March 2027 | Wed | Northern Ireland |
Some schools will also close for certain things, like staff training or pupil book days. Be sure to check with your school for a comprehensive list; many schools will publish this information online.
When are the public holidays in the UK?
Some bank holidays and celebrations can fall on school holidays, such as Good Friday and Easter Monday. You can learn more about these holidays (and dates) by reading our article on bank holidays in the UK.
Tips for expat parents in the UK
Childcare during school holidays in the UK
Your children’s school holidays may clash with your work schedule. Fortunately, you can access a range of childcare options in the UK, including:
- Daycare centers
- Kindergartens
- Au pairs/nannies
- Childminders
- Babysitters
Each council will have a Family Information Service that can tell you what’s available locally. There will also be a Youth Service that will normally run holiday activity programs, and a network of Children’s Centers that may have activities for primary school children.
10 fun summer camps in the UK
The UK has many fun and educational summer camps for children to learn and play during the school holidays, including:
