UK School Holidays and Bank Holidays 2026: Plan the Perfect Family Break

Planning ahead for family time in 2026? Whether you're organizing a staycation, booking a holiday abroad, or simply arranging childcare, knowing the UK school holidays and bank holidays in 2026 will help you get ahead of the crowd—and save money.

In this post, we cover:

• Term dates for England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland

• Key UK bank holidays in 2026

• Tips for travelling during peak school break times

UK School Holiday Dates 2026 (By Region)

Note: School term dates may vary slightly by local authority and school. These are typical dates used by most regions.

England and Wales (Typical School Holiday Dates 2026)

• Spring Term Ends: Friday, 27 March 2026

• Easter Holidays: Monday, 30 March – Friday, 10 April 2026

• Summer Half Term: Monday, 25 May – Friday, 29 May 2026

• Summer Holidays: Monday, 20 July – Tuesday, 1 September 2026

• Autumn Half Term: Monday, 26 October – Friday, 30 October 2026

• Christmas Holidays: Monday, 21 December 2026 – Friday, 1 January 2027

Scotland (Typical School Holiday Dates 2026)

• Spring Term Ends: Friday, 27 March 2026

• Easter Holidays: Monday, 30 March – Friday, 10 April 2026

• Summer Holidays: Typically begin around Friday, 26 June and return mid-August

• October Week: Monday, 12 October – Friday, 16 October 2026

• Christmas Holidays: Monday, 21 December 2026 – Monday, 4 January 2027

Northern Ireland (Typical School Holiday Dates 2026)

• Easter Holidays: Thursday, 2 April – Friday, 10 April 2026

• Summer Holidays: Starts around Wednesday, 1 July

• Halloween Break: Thursday, 29 October – Friday, 30 October 2026

• Christmas Holidays: Likely to start around Wednesday, 23 December

UK Bank Holidays 2026 (All Regions)

These UK public holidays are ideal for short family breaks or extra days off school.

England & Wales:

• New Year’s Day – Thursday, 1 January

• Good Friday – Friday, 3 April

• Easter Monday – Monday, 6 April

• Early May Bank Holiday – Monday, 4 May

• Spring Bank Holiday – Monday, 25 May

• Summer Bank Holiday – Monday, 31 August

• Christmas Day – Friday, 25 December

• Boxing Day (substitute) – Monday, 28 December

Scotland Extras:

• 2 January Holiday – Friday, 2 January

• Summer Bank Holiday – Monday, 3 August

• St Andrew’s Day – Monday, 30 November

Northern Ireland Extras:

• St Patrick’s Day – Tuesday, 17 March

• Battle of the Boyne – Monday, 13 July

✈️ Best Times to Travel During School Holidays

Easter Break (Late March – Mid-April)

Spring weather and mild prices make this a smart time for city breaks or countryside stays.

Top Ideas:

• UK: Cornwall, the Lake District, North Wales

• Europe: Rome, Paris, Algarve, Oludeniz, Hisaronu, Calis TURKEY

Summer Holidays (July – August)

The busiest time of year—book early for the best deals and availability.

Top Ideas:

• UK: Scottish Highlands, Devon coast, family campsites

• Abroad: Spain, Greece, Croatia, Oludeniz, Hisaronu, Calis TURKEY

Autumn Half Term (Late October)

A great time for low-cost breaks or Halloween-themed getaways.

Top Ideas:

• UK: Yorkshire, themed events in theme parks

• Europe: City trips to Prague, Seville, or Budapest, Oludeniz, Hisaronu, Calis TURKEY

Christmas Holidays (Late December)

Think festive markets, winter retreats, or ski holidays.

Top Ideas:

• UK: Cotswolds cabins, London Christmas lights

• Abroad: Lapland, Austrian Alps, Christmas in New York

Planning Tips for 2026

• Book early for peak school holidays—prices rise fast for flights and family resorts.

• Use bank holidays to extend breaks with fewer days off work.

• Check local school calendars for differences across regions.

• Travel off-peak when possible for better deals and smaller crowds.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or holidaymaker, keeping track of the 2026 school holidays and UK bank holidays is key to smarter planning. Bookmark this page, set your alerts, and get ready to make the most of every break.