Nottingham School Holidays, Half Term & Term Dates 2026 - 2027

Planning a family holiday? Need to mark your calendar for the next school break? You're in the right place. This page gives you a clear, up-to-date guide to all school term dates and holidays in Nottingham for the 2026-2027 academic year.

In the UK, school term dates are typically set by local authorities; so in Nottingham, that's usually Nottingham City Council. Most schools in the area follow this calendar, but some academies and free schools may set their own schedules, so it's always best to double-check with your child's school.

We recommend confirming exact dates with your school. Below, you'll find a handy list of schools in Nottingham, along with links to their official websites.

What's the next school holiday in Nottingham?

28 Jul - 31 Aug

Summer

Starts in 19 days

Nottingham School Holiday Dates Table 2026 - 2027

The next school holiday in Nottingham is the Summer holiday, running from 28 July to 31 August. After that, the Autumn Half Term holiday will take place from 19 October to 30 October.

TermHoliday Dates
Summer Half Term25 May 2026 - 29 May 2026
Summer28 July 2026 - 31 August 2026
Autumn Half Term19 October 2026 - 30 October 2026
Christmas21 December 2026 - 1 January 2027
Spring Half Term15 February 2027 - 19 February 2027
Easter26 March 2027 - 9 April 2027
Summer Half Term31 May 2027 - 4 June 2027
Summer29 July 2027 - 1 September 2027

Nottingham School Term & Half Term Dates Table 2026 - 2027

The current school term in Nottingham is the Summer, running from 13 April 2026to 27 July 2026.

TermTerm DatesHalf Term Dates
Summer13 April 2026 - 27 July 202625 May 2026 - 29 May 2026
Autumn2 September 2026 - 18 December 202619 October 2026 - 30 October 2026
Spring4 January 2027 - 25 March 202715 February 2027 - 19 February 2027
Summer12 April 2027 - 28 July 202731 May 2027 - 4 June 2027

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Family Events During the Holidays in Nottingham

Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained this school break? We’ve rounded up 12 fun, family-friendly events and activities happening in Nottingham during the school holidays. From seasonal workshops to special exhibitions, there’s something for children of all ages. Check out the list below and start planning fun days out while schools are closed.

EventDescriptionDateLocation
Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors & Awful EgyptiansWe all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead!18 - 21 June 2026Theatre Royal, Nottingham
Robin Hood & His Animal FriendsBook tickets for Robin Hood & Animal Friends, at the Royal Concert Hall. Part of Nottingham Puppet Festival 2026.27 - 28 June 2026Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
Peppa Pig's Big Family ShowPeppa Pig and friends are back in their brand new live stage show! With a new arrival on the way the whole family are busy getting ready.11 - 12 July 2026Theatre Royal, Nottingham
Jay & Joss - It's Not a GameJay & Joss are the award-winning illusionists who stunned the judges on Britain's Got Talent. Now they're back with a mind-bending new show - a chance to sit back and leave real life behind!13 July 2026Theatre Royal, Nottingham
How to Train Your DragonGet tickets to see How To Train Your Dragon 2 Film with Live Orchestra at the Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Sunday 18 October.18 October 2026Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
Northern Ballet - CinderellaThe timeless tale takes centre stage in this magical staging of Cinderella, performed by Northern Ballet.23 - 24 October 2026Theatre Royal, Nottingham
The Princess PromsBook tickets for The Princess Proms at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham on Monday 26 October.26 October 2026Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
Nottingham Operatic Society: Chess the MusicalBook tickets for Nottingham Operatic Society's production of Chess The Musical. Coming to the Theatre Royal October 2026.27 - 31 October 2026Theatre Royal, Nottingham
Aardman in Concert - Live with OrchestraCome and enjoy a joyful big-screen celebration at Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham as we mark 50 years of Aardman animation, all brought to life with a world-class orchestra from Carrot Productions.27 November 2026Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
Jack and the BeanstalkFollow Jack, and climb a beanstalk of gigantic proportions to cloudland in the spectacular family pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk28 November 2026 - 3 January 2027Theatre Royal, Nottingham
Family Carol ConcertThe Nottingham Harmonic Choir returns to the Royal Concert Hall with its well-loved Family Carol Concert and is once again joined by Thoresby Colliery Band.19 December 2026Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
Home Alone in ConcertExperience one of the ultimate festive films in a whole new way - with the iconic soundtrack by John Williams performed by live orchestra and choir at the Royal Concert Hall, on 21 December 2026.21 December 2026Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham

What’s the Difference Between a Term, a Half Term, and a Holiday?

  • Term: A block of time when schools are open, usually split into three per year – Autumn, Spring, and Summer.
  • Half Term: A short break in the middle of each term, typically lasting one week.
  • School Holidays: The longer breaks between terms, such as Christmas, Easter, and Summer.

Each term consists of one half-term, and each term concludes with a holiday. This structure is consistent across most schools in the UK.

How Are School Term Dates Decided in Nottingham City Council?

In Nottingham, school term dates are usually set by Nottingham City Council.

However, not all schools follow the same schedule. Academies, free schools and some faith schools have the freedom to set their own term dates and inset days, which can differ slightly. Always check with your school to be sure you’ve got the most accurate dates.

School Holiday, Term, Half Term Information for Other Cities within Nottingham City Council

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

School holidays in Nottingham typically follow this annual pattern:

  • October half-term: One week in October (19 October 2026 - 30 October 2026)
  • Christmas holidays: Two weeks in December (21 December 2026 - 1 January 2027)
  • February half-term: One week in February (15 February 2027 - 19 February 2027)
  • Easter holidays: Two weeks around March/April (26 March 2027 - 9 April 2027)
  • May half-term: One week in late May (25 May 2026 - 29 May 2026, 31 May 2027 - 4 June 2027)
  • Summer holidays: Usually six weeks, beginning in late July (28 July 2026 - 31 August 2026, 29 July 2027 - 1 September 2027)

Keep in mind that exact dates can vary by school.

No. While many follow the local authority's calendar, academies and free schools often set their own dates.
No. While students get the day off, inset days are actually set aside for teacher training, so they’re not officially part of the school holidays. It might feel like a mini break for the kids, but it doesn’t count on the holiday calendar.

In Nottingham, schools typically break up for the Easter holidays in late March or early April.

  • In 2027, schools are expected to break up on 26 March 2027, with students typically returning by 9 April 2027.

Summer holidays in Nottingham usually begin in mid to late July:

  • In 2026, the break is expected to start on 28 July 2026.
  • In 2027, the break is expected to start on 29 July 2027.

The exact end-of-term date can differ slightly between schools, so check with your school for confirmation.

Schools in Nottingham generally break up for Christmas in mid to late December each year:

  • In 2026, the break is expected to begin on 21 December 2026.

Most students return to school in early January the following year. Always refer to your school's official calendar for the most accurate information.