Leave HackerGuidesPlan my yearPowys school holidays 2026/27 and 2027/28
Powys's school holidays and term dates for 2026/27 and 2027/28, from the Welsh Government. Powys schools break up for Christmas on Tuesday 22 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). Christmas 2026 is Wed 23 Dec 2026 to Sun 3 Jan 2027 (one week and 3 days), a week later than most Welsh councils' dates: Sat 19 Dec 2026 to Sun 3 Jan 2027 (two weeks, 21 of 22 councils).
Powys 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 holidaysone week and 3 days | 23 Dec to 3 Janback Mon 4 Jan | 5 days → 12 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 and 2 days | 17 Jul to 31 Augback Wed 1 Sep | 31 days → 46 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 | Tue 22 Dec 2026 |
| Spring term | Mon 4 Jan 2027 | Fri 19 Mar 2027 |
| Summer term | Mon 5 Apr 2027 | Fri 16 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 Powys compares
- Christmas 2026 is Wed 23 Dec 2026 to Sun 3 Jan 2027 (one week and 3 days), a week later than most Welsh councils' dates: Sat 19 Dec 2026 to Sun 3 Jan 2027 (two weeks, 21 of 22 councils).
- Summer holidays 2027 are Sat 17 Jul to Tue 31 Aug 2027 (six weeks and 2 days), a week earlier than most Welsh councils' dates: Wed 21 Jul to Tue 31 Aug 2027 (six weeks, 14 of 22 councils).
Its October half term, February half term, Easter holidays and May half term match the most common Welsh dates.
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.
Powys 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 2 days | 21 Dec to 5 Janback Thu 6 Jan | 9 days → 16 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 holidaysfive weeks and 4 days | 22 Jul to 31 Augback Fri 1 Sep | 28 days → 41 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 | Mon 20 Dec 2027 |
| Spring term | Thu 6 Jan 2028 | Fri 7 Apr 2028 |
| Summer term | Mon 24 Apr 2028 | Fri 21 Jul 2028 |
The terms between Christmas, Easter and the summer. Half terms and the other holidays above fall inside them.
How Powys compares
- Christmas 2027 is Tue 21 Dec 2027 to Wed 5 Jan 2028 (two weeks and 2 days), longer than most Welsh councils' dates: Sat 18 Dec 2027 to Mon 3 Jan 2028 (two weeks and 1 day, 15 of 22 councils).
- Summer holidays 2028 are Sat 22 Jul to Thu 31 Aug 2028 (five weeks and 4 days), shorter than the most common Welsh dates: Fri 21 Jul to Thu 31 Aug 2028 (six weeks, 10 of 22 councils).
Its October half term, February half term, Easter holidays and May half term match the most common Welsh dates.
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.
If your leave year runs January to December, covering the whole Christmas holiday takes 7 days from your 2027 leave and 2 days from 2028's.
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 Powys County 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 Powys?
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 Powys?
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 Powys schools break up for Christmas 2026?
The last day of term is Tuesday 22 December 2026. The holiday runs Wed 23 Dec 2026 to Sun 3 Jan 2027, and schools go back on Monday 4 January 2027.
When are the summer holidays 2027 in Powys?
Sat 17 Jul to Tue 31 Aug 2027: six weeks and 2 days off school. The last day of term is Friday 16 July.
When are the summer holidays 2028 in Powys?
Sat 22 Jul to Thu 31 Aug 2028: five weeks and 4 days off school. The last day of term is Friday 21 July.
What's the best time to book annual leave around the Powys 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 Powys 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 Powys follow these dates?
These are Powys County 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.