School holidays in the UK in 2026–2027

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.

Planning ahead also means preparing financially for these holiday periods. Whether you’re organising a family trip abroad, arranging childcare, or enrolling your children in vacation camps, managing your finances efficiently is crucial. For families who travel or pay for childcare abroad, Wise can help you convert and spend in other currencies with low fees.

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 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 – 3 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 – 3 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	12-19 October 2026
Christmas holiday	21 December 2026 – 5 January 2027
Mid-term holiday	15-19 February 2027
Easter holiday	5-19 April 2027
Mid-term holiday	3 May 2027
Summer holiday	30 June – 17 August 2027

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	1 September 2026
Halloween	29–30 October 2026
Christmas holiday	21 December 2026 – 1 January 2027
Mid-term break	11–12 February 2027
Easter holiday	25 March – 2 April 2027
May Day	3 May 2027
Spring bank holiday	31 May 2027
Summer holiday	starts 1 July 2027

Additional closure days (pupils do not attend): 25 Sep 2026, 25 Jan 2027, 4 May 2027

Other important dates in 2026–2027

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 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 UK school holidays in 2027–2028?

2027–2028 school holidays in England

Dates might vary from council to council – check with your school.

Holiday	Date(s)
First day of school	26 August 2027
Half-term break	18–29 October 2027
Christmas holiday	20 December 2027 – 3 January 2028
Half-term break	14–18 February 2028
Easter holiday	3–17 April 2028
Half-term break	29 May – 2 June 2028
Summer break	26 July – 31 August 2028

2027–2028 school holidays in Wales

Dates might vary from council to council – check with your school.

Holiday	Date(s)
First day of school	2 September 2027
Autumn half term	25–29 October 2027
Christmas holiday	20 December 2027 – 3 January 2028
Spring half term	21–25 February 2028
Easter holiday	10–21 April 2028
Summer half term	29 May – 2 June 2028
Summer holiday	21 July – 31 August 2028

2027–2028 school holidays in Scotland

Dates might vary from council to council – check with your school.

Occasion	Date(s)
First day of school	18 August 2027
Mid-term holiday	18–25 October 2027
Christmas holiday	21 December 2027 – 5 January 2028
Mid-term holiday	14–18 February 2028
Easter holiday	3 April – 17 April 2028
Mid-term holiday	1 May 2028
Summer holiday	1 July – 15 August 2028

2027–2028 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 2027–2028

The additional holiday dates for the 2027–2028 school year are:

Holiday	Date	Weekday	Region
Saint Andrew’s Day	30 November 2027	Tue	Scotland
Saint Patrick’s Day	17 March 2028	Sat	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

Financial planning for school holidays

School holidays often mean additional expenses for families – from travel and accommodation to childcare and activities. For expat parents who may be traveling internationally or paying for services in different currencies, managing these expenses efficiently becomes even more important.

When planning trips abroad during school breaks:

• Create a holiday budget that accounts for currency fluctuations
• Consider the most cost-effective way to spend money abroad
• Plan ahead for international payments for activities or accommodations

Using the Wise account can help you manage your holiday finances. With Wise, you can hold and convert money in multiple currencies and spend abroad with the Wise card.

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:

• Camp Beaumont
• Camp Cooper
• Camp Crusoe
• Camp Kernow
• Camp Wilderness
• Mill on the Brue
• PGL Adventure Camps
• SSC Summer Camps
• SuperCamps
• Young Film Academy