UK Easter holidays 2026
Easter is the most date-variable school holiday in the UK. Because Easter Sunday moves each year, the holiday can fall anywhere between late March and late April, and the four UK nations don't always align. Scotland in particular handles Easter differently.
Easter 2026 holiday dates by UK nation
| Nation | Upcoming dates |
|---|---|
| England | · |
| Scotland | · |
| Wales | · |
| Northern Ireland | · |
How Easter dates are set
In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland the Easter school holiday is pegged to Easter Sunday. Schools typically break up the week before Good Friday and return about two weeks later. The holiday shifts by up to four weeks between years.
Scotland calls its spring break a "spring holiday" rather than an Easter holiday, and councils have some discretion. Scottish breaks often align roughly with Easter but aren't rigidly tied to it, so there can be a week's difference between Scottish and English Easter breaks in some years.
The Wales reform proposal
The Welsh Government's school year reform includes decoupling the spring break from Easter entirely, setting it as a fixed mid-term break regardless of when Easter falls. As of 2026 this hasn't been implemented, and Welsh Easter dates continue to follow England's pattern closely.
Planning around Easter
In date order through the Easter window:
- Early Easter (late March). The holiday coincides with the tail end of winter pricing at some destinations. Good value if the weather cooperates.
- Week before Easter weekend. Typically less busy than the week immediately after Easter Sunday, since many families travel over the weekend itself.
- Late Easter (mid to late April). School holidays coincide with warmer weather and higher baseline prices. Peak demand for European sun destinations.
- Scottish and English misalignment. When Scotland's spring break doesn't coincide exactly with England's, there's often a quieter window at the start or end of the English break.
Easter holiday dates shift each year with the date of Easter Sunday. Dates shown are based on curated council data and may not reflect individual school variations, particularly for academies. Always confirm with your school.