UK School Holidays, Half Term & Term Dates 2025 - 2026

Looking for the latest UK school holiday dates? Whether you're a parent planning family time, a teacher organising lessons, or a student mapping out study schedules, this guide makes it easy to stay ahead. Below, you’ll find a complete overview of UK school holidays, term dates, half-term breaks, and bank holidays for 2025 and 2026, all clearly broken down by region: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

UK School Holidays 2025 - 2026

Planning your year? Below you'll find the complete list of UK school holidays for 20252026, including term breaks for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Each nation has slightly different schedules, so we've provided a clear breakdown for every region. Remember, dates may vary by local authority or school; always double-check with your school directly.

England School Holidays 2025 - 2026

HolidayDates
Autumn Half Term28 Oct 2024 - 01 Nov 2024
Christmas21 Dec 2024 - 05 Jan 2025
Spring Half Term17 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2025
Easter07 Apr 2025 - 21 Apr 2025
Summer Half Term26 May 2025 - 30 May 2025
Summer22 Jul 2025 - 29 Aug 2025

Scotland School Holidays 2025 - 2026

HolidayDates
Autumn Half Term28 Oct 2024 - 01 Nov 2024
Christmas21 Dec 2024 - 05 Jan 2025
Spring Half Term17 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2025
Easter07 Apr 2025 - 21 Apr 2025
Summer Half Term26 May 2025 - 30 May 2025
Summer22 Jul 2025 - 29 Aug 2025

Wales School Holidays 2025 - 2026

HolidayDates
Autumn Half Term28 Oct 2024 - 01 Nov 2024
Christmas21 Dec 2024 - 05 Jan 2025
Spring Half Term17 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2025
Easter07 Apr 2025 - 21 Apr 2025
Summer Half Term26 May 2025 - 30 May 2025
Summer22 Jul 2025 - 29 Aug 2025

Northern Ireland School Holidays 2025 - 2026

HolidayDates
Autumn Half Term28 Oct 2024 - 01 Nov 2024
Christmas21 Dec 2024 - 05 Jan 2025
Spring Half Term17 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2025
Easter07 Apr 2025 - 21 Apr 2025
Summer Half Term26 May 2025 - 30 May 2025
Summer22 Jul 2025 - 29 Aug 2025

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UK School Terms & Half Terms 2025 - 2026

Find all the UK school term dates and half-term breaks for 2025-2026 in one place. This guide covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with regional variations clearly explained. For exact dates, check with your local council or school.

England School Terms & Half Terms 2025 - 2026

TermDatesHalf Term Dates
Autumn03 September 2024 - 20 December 202428 October 2024 - 01 November 2024
Spring06 January 2025 - 04 April 202517 February 2025 - 21 February 2025
Summer22 April 2025 - 21 July 202526 May 2025 - 30 May 2025

Scotland School Terms & Half Terms 2025 - 2026

TermDatesHalf Term Dates
Autumn03 September 2024 - 20 December 202428 October 2024 - 01 November 2024
Spring06 January 2025 - 04 April 202517 February 2025 - 21 February 2025
Summer22 April 2025 - 21 July 202526 May 2025 - 30 May 2025

Wales School Terms & Half Terms 2025 - 2026

TermDatesHalf Term Dates
Autumn03 September 2024 - 20 December 202428 October 2024 - 01 November 2024
Spring06 January 2025 - 04 April 202517 February 2025 - 21 February 2025
Summer22 April 2025 - 21 July 202526 May 2025 - 30 May 2025

Northern Ireland School Terms & Half Terms 2025 - 2026

TermDatesHalf Term Dates
Autumn03 September 2024 - 20 December 202428 October 2024 - 01 November 2024
Spring06 January 2025 - 04 April 202517 February 2025 - 21 February 2025
Summer22 April 2025 - 21 July 202526 May 2025 - 30 May 2025

UK Bank Holidays 2025 - 2026

The next UK-wide bank holiday is Christmas Day, taking place on 25 December 2025. Bank holidays differ slightly across the UK, with each nation observing a mix of shared and regional dates.

In England and Wales, the next bank holiday is Christmas Day on 25 December 2025.

In Scotland, the next bank holiday is St Andrew’s Day (observed) happening on 1 December 2025

For Northern Ireland, the upcoming bank holiday is Christmas Day, scheduled for 25 December 2025.

EnglandScotlandWalesNorthern Ireland
Good Friday: 18 April 2025New Year’s Day: 1 January 2025New Year’s Day: 1 January 2025New Year’s Day: 1 January 2025
Easter Monday: 21 April 20252nd January Bank Holiday: 2 January 2025Good Friday: 18 April 2025St Patrick’s Day (observed): 17 March 2025
Early May Bank Holiday: 5 May 2025Good Friday: 18 April 2025Easter Monday: 21 April 2025Good Friday: 18 April 2025
Spring Bank Holiday: 26 May 2025Early May Bank Holiday: 5 May 2025Early May Bank Holiday: 5 May 2025Easter Monday: 21 April 2025
Summer Bank Holiday: 25 August 2025Spring Bank Holiday: 26 May 2025Spring Bank Holiday: 26 May 2025Early May Bank Holiday: 5 May 2025
Christmas Day: 25 December 2025Summer Bank Holiday: 4 August 2025Summer Bank Holiday: 25 August 2025Spring Bank Holiday: 26 May 2025
Boxing Day: 26 December 2025St Andrew’s Day (observed): 1 December 2025Christmas Day: 25 December 2025Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day, observed): 14 July 2025
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2026Christmas Day: 25 December 2025Boxing Day: 26 December 2025Summer Bank Holiday: 25 August 2025
Good Friday: 3 April 2026Boxing Day: 26 December 2025New Year’s Day: 1 January 2026Christmas Day: 25 December 2025
Easter Monday: 6 April 2026New Year’s Day: 1 January 2026Good Friday: 3 April 2026Boxing Day: 26 December 2025
Early May Bank Holiday: 4 May 20262nd January Bank Holiday: 2 January 2026Easter Monday: 6 April 2026New Year’s Day: 1 January 2026
Spring Bank Holiday: 25 May 2026Good Friday: 3 April 2026Early May Bank Holiday: 4 May 2026St Patrick’s Day: 17 March 2026
Summer Bank Holiday: 31 August 2026Early May Bank Holiday: 4 May 2026Spring Bank Holiday: 25 May 2026Good Friday: 3 April 2026
Christmas Day: 25 December 2026Spring Bank Holiday: 25 May 2026Summer Bank Holiday: 31 August 2026Easter Monday: 6 April 2026
Boxing Day (substitute): 28 December 2026Summer Bank Holiday: 3 August 2026Christmas Day: 25 December 2026Early May Bank Holiday: 4 May 2026
St Andrew’s Day: 30 November 2026Boxing Day (substitute): 28 December 2026Spring Bank Holiday: 25 May 2026
Christmas Day: 25 December 2026Battle of the Boyne (substitute): 13 July 2026
Boxing Day (substitute): 28 December 2026Summer Bank Holiday: 31 August 2026
Christmas Day: 25 December 2026
Boxing Day (substitute): 28 December 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

No. While local councils set recommended term dates, academies, free schools, and independent schools may choose different schedules. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, there’s more variation between councils.
Yes. Academies, free schools, and independent schools in England and Wales can set their term dates. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, local authorities usually decide, but schools may still vary.

Navigating the UK school calendar can be a bit confusing — especially when terms, half-terms, and holidays all refer to different parts of the year. Here's a simple breakdown:

  • Term: A term is a set period when schools are in session. The academic year is usually divided into three terms — Autumn, Spring, and Summer.
  • Half Term: Roughly halfway through each term, there's a short break known as half term. These mini-holidays typically last one week and give students and teachers a breather before the term resumes.
  • Holiday: These are the longer breaks between terms — including Christmas, Easter, and the summer holidays. Depending on the season, they can last anywhere from two to six weeks.