October Half Term and Christmas Holidays 2026 for Schools (Infographic)

October half term 2026 in England and Wales runs from 26 to 30 October, and the Christmas holidays 2026 for schools start after Friday 18 December, with pupils back on 4 January 2027 (5 January in Glasgow). Northern Ireland's Education Authority closure days are 29 and 30 October and 21 December to 1 January. This infographic shows what is left of 2026 for each nation on one timeline.

Last checked: 27 October 2026. The dates come from Birmingham and Glasgow councils, gov.wales, the Education Authority in Northern Ireland and GOV.UK bank holidays. Dates vary, so check with your child's school before you book.

Key figures

• England (Birmingham council dates): October half term 26 to 30 October. Christmas term ends 18 December, back 4 January 2027.
• Scotland (Glasgow council dates): the October break, 12 to 16 October, has already been taken. Christmas term ends 18 December, back 5 January 2027.
• Wales (all councils): October half term 26 to 30 October. Christmas term ends 18 December, back 4 January 2027. Powys breaks up later, on Tuesday 22 December.
• Northern Ireland (Education Authority closure days): 29 and 30 October, then 21 December 2026 to 1 January 2027.
• Bank holidays: Monday 30 November (St Andrew's Day, Scotland), Friday 25 December, Monday 28 December (Boxing Day substitute), Friday 1 January and Monday 4 January (Scotland).

What this means

For most families in England and Wales, the Christmas break gives two clear weeks between 18 December and 4 January, with Christmas Day, the Boxing Day substitute and New Year's Day all inside it. Scottish pupils get an extra day, returning on 5 January, while Northern Ireland's closure days are shorter, so check how your school uses its optional days. In Powys, schools break up later, on Tuesday 22 December.

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Read the full guide

Our UK school holidays 2026 guide has council-by-council tables for England and Scotland, the full Welsh and Northern Irish dates and the term-time absence rules. Looking further ahead, see UK school holidays 2027, or plan a December trip with our Christmas markets 2026 dates.

Use this infographic

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<a href="https://simplysim.co.uk/article/uk-school-holidays-2026-calendar-infographic"><img src="https://simplysim.co.uk/img/articles/infographics/uk-school-holidays-2026-christmas-october-half-term.png" alt="October half term and Christmas school holidays 2026 in the UK" width="1200" height="1168"></a><br>Infographic by <a href="https://simplysim.co.uk/article/uk-school-holidays-2026-calendar-infographic">SimplySIM</a>

FAQs

When do schools break up for Christmas 2026?

In Birmingham, Glasgow and most of Wales, on Friday 18 December 2026. Powys breaks up on Tuesday 22 December. In Northern Ireland, the Education Authority closure days start on 21 December.

When do schools go back after Christmas 2026?

On Monday 4 January 2027 in Birmingham and Wales, and Tuesday 5 January in Glasgow. In Northern Ireland the closure days end on 1 January, but each school sets its own return date.

What are the October half term 2026 dates?

26 to 30 October 2026 in Birmingham and across Wales. Northern Ireland closes on 29 and 30 October. Glasgow's October break was earlier, 12 to 16 October.

Is St Andrew's Day a school holiday in Scotland?

Monday 30 November 2026 is a bank holiday in Scotland, but whether schools close for it depends on the council.