Leave HackerGuidesPlan my yearCardiff school holidays 2026/27 and 2027/28
Cardiff's school holidays and term dates for 2026/27 and 2027/28, from the Welsh Government. Cardiff schools break up for Christmas on Friday 18 December 2026 and go back on Monday 4 January. For a parent, the best value is Christmas 2026: book 3 days, get 10 off (Fri 25 Dec 2026 to Sun 3 Jan 2027). The summer holidays start on Wednesday 21 July 2027.
Cardiff school holidays 2026/27
| Holiday | Off, weekends included | Leave to cover it |
|---|---|---|
| October half termone week | 24 Oct to 1 Novback Mon 2 Nov | 5 days → 9 off |
| Christmas holidaystwo weeks | 19 Dec to 3 Janback Mon 4 Jan | 7 days → 16 off |
| February half termone week | 6 to 14 Febback Mon 15 Feb | 5 days → 9 off |
| Easter holidaystwo weeks | 20 Mar to 4 Aprback Mon 5 Apr | 8 days → 16 off |
| May half termone week | 29 May to 6 Junback Mon 7 Jun | 4 days → 9 off |
| Summer holidayssix weeks | 21 Jul to 31 Augback Wed 1 Sep | 29 days → 42 off |
The council doesn't publish training (INSET) days for every school: each school sets its own, usually five a year. Check with your school.
Each row is a month, from the 1st on the left. The yellow stickers are the school holidays.
Term dates 2026/27
| Term | First day | Last day |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn term | Under way | Fri 18 Dec 2026 |
| Spring term | Mon 4 Jan 2027 | Fri 19 Mar 2027 |
| Summer term | Mon 5 Apr 2027 | Tue 20 Jul 2027 |
The terms between Christmas, Easter and the summer. Half terms and the other holidays above fall inside them. The first day of the autumn term isn't in the source we use; it's already passed.
How Cardiff compares
All of Cardiff's main holidays match the most common Welsh dates: October half term, Christmas holidays, February half term, Easter holidays, May half term and summer holidays.
Compared with the 22 Welsh councils we have 2026/27 dates for. Every Welsh council side by side.
The best days of leave to book in 2026/27
To be off for every school holiday day in 2026/27 you'd need 58 days of leave. Full-time workers are entitled to at least 28 days a year, and that can include the bank holidays, so most families mix leave with a second parent, family and holiday clubs. These are the holidays where a day of leave goes furthest:
Christmas 2026: book 3 days, get 10 off
Open it in the planner to see it in your year and get the message for your manager.
Easter holidays 2027: book 4 days, get 10 off
Open it in the planner to see it in your year and get the message for your manager.
May half term 2027: book 4 days, get 9 off
Open it in the planner to see it in your year and get the message for your manager.
Source: the Welsh Government's approved term dates, checked on 26 October 2026. Bank holidays from gov.uk.
Cardiff school holidays 2027/28
| Holiday | Off, weekends included | Leave to cover it |
|---|---|---|
| October half termone week | 23 to 31 Octback Mon 1 Nov | 5 days → 9 off |
| Christmas holidaystwo weeks and 1 day | 18 Dec to 3 Janback Tue 4 Jan | 8 days → 17 off |
| February half termone week | 19 to 27 Febback Mon 28 Feb | 5 days → 9 off |
| Easter holidaystwo weeks | 8 to 23 Aprback Mon 24 Apr | 8 days → 16 off |
| May half termone week | 27 May to 4 Junback Mon 5 Jun | 4 days → 9 off |
| Summer holidayssix weeks | 21 Jul to 31 Augback Fri 1 Sep | 29 days → 42 off |
The council doesn't publish training (INSET) days for every school: each school sets its own, usually five a year. Check with your school.
Each row is a month, from the 1st on the left. The yellow stickers are the school holidays.
Term dates 2027/28
| Term | First day | Last day |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn term | Wed 1 Sep 2027 | Fri 17 Dec 2027 |
| Spring term | Tue 4 Jan 2028 | Fri 7 Apr 2028 |
| Summer term | Mon 24 Apr 2028 | Thu 20 Jul 2028 |
The terms between Christmas, Easter and the summer. Half terms and the other holidays above fall inside them.
How Cardiff compares
All of Cardiff's main holidays match the most common Welsh dates: October half term, Christmas holidays, February half term, Easter holidays, May half term and summer holidays.
Compared with the 22 Welsh councils we have 2027/28 dates for. Every Welsh council side by side.
The best days of leave to book in 2027/28
To be off for every school holiday day in 2027/28 you'd need 59 days of leave. Full-time workers are entitled to at least 28 days a year, and that can include the bank holidays, so most families mix leave with a second parent, family and holiday clubs. These are the holidays where a day of leave goes furthest:
Christmas 2027: book 3 days, get 10 off
Open it in the planner to see it in your year and get the message for your manager.
Easter holidays 2028: book 4 days, get 10 off
Open it in the planner to see it in your year and get the message for your manager.
May half term 2028: book 4 days, get 9 off
Open it in the planner to see it in your year and get the message for your manager.
Source: the Welsh Government's approved term dates, checked on 26 October 2026. Bank holidays from gov.uk.
Which schools use these dates
These are Cardiff Council's term dates as approved by the Welsh Government. Some schools, such as voluntary aided, foundation and independent schools, can set different dates, and each school sets most of its own training (INSET) days, so check with your school before you book.
Taking children out of school in term time has its own rules: can I take my child on holiday in term time? Work in a school? Teachers and annual leave.
Questions
When is October half term 2026 in Cardiff?
Sat 24 Oct to Sun 1 Nov 2026, weekends included: one week off school. The last day of school before it is Friday 23 October and pupils go back on Monday 2 November.
When is October half term 2027 in Cardiff?
Sat 23 Oct to Sun 31 Oct 2027, weekends included: one week off school. The last day of school before it is Friday 22 October and pupils go back on Monday 1 November.
When do Cardiff schools break up for Christmas 2026?
The last day of term is Friday 18 December 2026. The holiday runs Sat 19 Dec 2026 to Sun 3 Jan 2027, and schools go back on Monday 4 January 2027.
When are the summer holidays 2027 in Cardiff?
Wed 21 Jul to Tue 31 Aug 2027: six weeks off school. The last day of term is Tuesday 20 July.
When are the summer holidays 2028 in Cardiff?
Fri 21 Jul to Thu 31 Aug 2028: six weeks off school. The last day of term is Thursday 20 July.
What's the best time to book annual leave around the Cardiff school holidays?
Christmas 2026: book Tue 29 to Thu 31 Dec (3 days) and you're off Friday 25 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, 10 days with the children. Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day are bank holidays, so they come free.
How much annual leave do I need to cover the Cardiff school holidays?
58 days in 2026/27 and 59 days in 2027/28, to be off for every school holiday day, Monday to Friday. With 25 days of leave that's about 43% of 2026/27.
Do all schools in Cardiff follow these dates?
These are Cardiff Council's term dates as approved by the Welsh Government. Some schools, such as voluntary aided, foundation and independent schools, can set different dates, and each school sets most of its own training (INSET) days, so check with your school before you book.