Leave HackerGuidesPlan my yearNorthern Ireland school holidays 2026/27
Northern Ireland's school holidays and term dates for 2026/27, from the Department of Education. Schools break up for Halloween on Wednesday 28 October 2026 and go back on Monday 2 November. 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 Thursday 1 July 2027.
Northern Ireland school holidays 2026/27
| Holiday | Off, weekends included | Leave to cover it |
|---|---|---|
| Closure day1 day, past | 25 to 27 Sepback Mon 28 Sep | 1 day → 3 off |
| Halloween holidays2 days | 29 Oct to 1 Novback Mon 2 Nov | 2 days → 4 off |
| Christmas holidaystwo weeks | 19 Dec to 3 Janback Mon 4 Jan | 7 days → 16 off |
| Closure day1 day | 23 to 25 Janback Tue 26 Jan | 1 day → 3 off |
| February mid-term2 days | 11 to 14 Febback Mon 15 Feb | 2 days → 4 off |
| St Patrick's Day1 day | 17 Marback Thu 18 Mar | No leave |
| Easter holidaysone week and 2 days | 25 Mar to 4 Aprback Mon 5 Apr | 5 days → 11 off |
| May Day2 days | 1 to 4 Mayback Wed 5 May | 1 day → 4 off |
| Spring bank holiday1 day | 29 to 31 Mayback Tue 1 Jun | No leave |
| Summer holidayseight weeks and 4 days | 1 Jul to 31 Augback Wed 1 Sep | 42 days → 62 off |
The Department doesn't set training (INSET) days: 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 | Tue 1 Sep 2026 | Fri 18 Dec 2026 |
| Spring term | Mon 4 Jan 2027 | Wed 24 Mar 2027 |
| Summer term | Mon 5 Apr 2027 | Wed 30 Jun 2027 |
The terms between Christmas, Easter and the summer. Half terms and the other holidays above fall inside them.
The best days of leave to book in 2026/27
To be off for every school holiday day in 2026/27 you'd need 61 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.
Summer holidays 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.
About these dates: The Department of Education's dates. Schools can open on them, and set their own training days, so check your school's.
Source: the Department of Education's term dates page, checked on 26 October 2026. Bank holidays from gov.uk.
Which schools use these dates
These are the Department of Education's dates for the days schools are usually closed. Schools can open on some of them and set their own training days, and independent schools set their own dates, so check with your school before you book.
We don't have Northern Ireland's 2027/28 dates yet. We'll add them once they're published and checked.
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 are the Halloween holidays 2026 in Northern Ireland?
Thu 29 Oct to Sun 1 Nov 2026, weekends included: 2 days off school. The last day of school before it is Wednesday 28 October and pupils go back on Monday 2 November.
When do Northern Ireland 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 Northern Ireland?
Thu 1 Jul to Tue 31 Aug 2027: eight weeks and 4 days off school. The last day of term is Wednesday 30 June.
What's the best time to book annual leave around the Northern Ireland 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 Northern Ireland school holidays?
61 days in 2026/27, to be off for every school holiday day, Monday to Friday. With 25 days of leave that's about 41% of 2026/27.
Do all schools in Northern Ireland follow these dates?
These are the Department of Education's dates for the days schools are usually closed. Schools can open on some of them and set their own training days, and independent schools set their own dates, so check with your school before you book.