Northern Ireland school holidays 2026 and 2027
Northern Ireland schools break for the Halloween holidays on 29 and 30 October 2026. English schools take the whole week, 26 to 30 October 2026. The Education Authority publishes one set of standard dates that most grant-aided schools follow, making Northern Ireland the most predictable of the four nations to plan around.
October half-term 2026
Quietest week 21–27 Oct 2026 37%Busiest week 24–30 Oct 2026 82%
45 points separate the quietest week of October half-term from the busiest. Picking the week matters more than picking the destination.
Northern Irish schools take around eight to nine weeks off in summer — the longest in the UK — typically from the last week of June to the last week of August. The Education Authority publishes a single set of standard dates that most schools follow, making Northern Ireland the most reliable of the four nations to plan around.
Northern Ireland's dates alongside the rest of the UK
NI's October and February half-terms are shorter than the rest of the UK — the narrower bars here show exactly how much. The long summer (eight weeks) also stands out clearly.
Upcoming school holiday dates in Northern Ireland ✓ Verified
- October half-term
- Christmas
- February half-term
- Easter
- Summer holidays
These apply to most grant-aided schools across Northern Ireland. Individual schools can adjust by a day or two for staff training, but the variation is much smaller than in England or Scotland.
How Northern Ireland differs
- Standard dates are set centrally by the Department of Education and published by the Education Authority. There's no equivalent of the academy and local-authority complexity that fragments English dates.
- St Patrick's Day (17 March) is a school holiday. Northern Ireland is the only UK nation where it falls during term time and is observed.
- Half-term breaks are shorter than the rest of the UK. February mid-term is often only two days rather than a full week, and the autumn break is typically a 2-day Halloween closure (29 to 30 October) rather than a 5-day week.
- Summer runs roughly eight weeks, end of June or early July through to the end of August. About two weeks longer than England, Scotland, or Wales.
Off-peak windows
In date order:
- February mid-term week. Because Northern Irish breaks are shorter, demand for Northern Irish destinations doesn't peak the way English destinations do during the same week.
- First week of July. Northern Irish schools are just breaking up while England and Wales are still in lessons. Sometimes the cheapest summer week for Northern Irish families heading abroad, before the wider UK demand spike.
- Mid-to-late August. Northern Irish schools are still on summer break while Scottish schools have returned. Domestic demand within Scotland and across the Irish Sea is lower.
Term-time absence in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland uses a different system from England. There's no equivalent of the £80/£160 Penalty Notice. Schools may report unauthorised absence to the Education Welfare Service, which can lead to formal action in serious or repeated cases, but routine family holidays don't trigger automatic fines. The headteacher's permission is still needed, and schools generally won't authorise term-time holidays except in exceptional circumstances.
Northern Ireland's centralised dates can still be adjusted at school level for in-service training, school development days, or unforeseen closures. Always check your specific school's calendar before booking.
Common questions
How long is the Northern Ireland summer break?
Around eight weeks, the longest in the UK. It typically runs from the end of June or start of July through to the end of August.
Is St Patrick's Day a school holiday in Northern Ireland?
Yes. 17 March is a school holiday in Northern Ireland and the only UK nation where it's observed during term time.
Are there term-time holiday fines in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland does not use the £80/£160 Penalty Notice system that operates in England. Schools may report unauthorised absence to the Education Welfare Service, which can take formal action in serious or repeated cases.