Northern Ireland School Holidays, Half Term & Term Dates 2025 - 2026
Stay ahead of the school calendar with this complete guide to Northern Ireland school holidays and term dates in 2025 and 2026. Whether you're a parent arranging time off, a teacher planning lessons, or a student counting down to summer, this page has everything you need.
School term dates in Northern Ireland can vary depending on the local authorities and the type of school; therefore, please verify the exact dates with your school.
What's the next school holiday in Northern Ireland?
22 Dec - 2 Jan
Christmas
Starts in 27 days
Northern Ireland School Holiday Dates Table 2025 - 2026
The next school holiday in Northern Ireland is the Christmas holiday, running from 22 December to 2 January. After that, the Spring Half Term holiday will take place from 12 February to 13 February.
| Term | Holiday Dates |
|---|---|
| Spring Half Term | 13 Feb 2025 - 14 Feb 2025 |
| Easter | 17 Apr 2025 - 25 Apr 2025 |
| Summer Half Term | 5 May 2025 - 5 May 2025 |
| Summer | 1 Jul 2025 - 31 Aug 2025 |
| Autumn Half Term | 30 Oct 2025 - 31 Oct 2025 |
| Christmas | 22 Dec 2025 - 2 Jan 2026 |
| Spring Half Term | 12 Feb 2026 - 13 Feb 2026 |
| Easter | 2 Apr 2026 - 10 Apr 2026 |
| Summer Half Term | 25 May 2026 - 25 May 2026 |
| Summer | 28 Jul 2026 - 31 Aug 2026 |
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Northern Ireland School Term & Half Term Dates Table 2025 - 2026
The current school term in Northern Ireland is the Autumn, running from 1 Sep 2025 to 19 Dec 2025.
| Term | Term Dates | Half Term Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | 6 Jan 2025 - 16 Apr 2025 | 13 Feb 2025 - 14 Feb 2025 |
| Summer | 28 Apr 2025 - 30 Jun 2025 | 5 May 2025 - 5 May 2025 |
| Autumn | 1 Sep 2025 - 19 Dec 2025 | 30 Oct 2025 - 31 Oct 2025 |
| Spring | 5 Jan 2026 - 1 Apr 2026 | 12 Feb 2026 - 13 Feb 2026 |
| Summer | 13 Apr 2026 - 27 Jul 2026 | 25 May 2026 - 25 May 2026 |
Differences in School Holiday Calendars Across the UK
School term dates and holidays aren't the same everywhere in the UK, they're managed differently depending on where you live. Here's how it breaks down by nation:
- England & Wales: Term dates are usually set by local councils, but academies and free schools have the flexibility to create their own calendars. This means dates can vary even within the same area.
- Scotland: Each local authority in Scotland sets its own dates. There's more regional variation here, even within the same term.
- Northern Ireland: Term dates are more consistent across schools and are often set by the Education Authority. This means fewer differences between schools.
Always check directly with your local council or school website to confirm exact term dates.
Find School Holiday Dates in Northern Ireland by Local Authority & City
What’s the Difference Between a Term, a Half Term, and a Holiday?
Understanding the UK school calendar can be tricky — especially with terms, half-terms, and holidays all meaning different things. Here's how it breaks down:
- 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: These are the longer school breaks between terms — such as Christmas, Easter, and the summer holidays. These can last two to six weeks, depending on the time of year.
While this structure is consistent across the UK, the exact dates can vary by region and school type, particularly in Scotland.
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