When are the Christmas holidays 2026 in the UK?
When are the Christmas holidays?
19 Dec 2026 to 4 Jan 2027
Earliest start: England. Latest end: Scotland. Different UK nations break up on different dates.
Dates by UK nation
| Nation | Upcoming dates |
|---|---|
| England | · ✓ Verified |
| Scotland | · ✓ Verified |
| Wales | · ✓ Verified |
| Northern Ireland | · ✓ Verified |
Christmas is the most uniform UK school holiday. All four nations break up within a day or two of each other in the week before Christmas and return in the first days of January. There is no Scotland-versus-England gap to travel into, which makes this the one holiday where the quiet window has to come from the destination rather than from a UK nation being back at school.
Demand concentrates on the days either side of Christmas Day and New Year. The first week of the break, before Christmas itself, carries less pressure than the week between Christmas and New Year. Destinations whose schools do not break for Christmas at all — Turkey and Morocco among them — stay closest to their off-season pattern.
Also searched for as: christmas break, school christmas holidays or winter break.
Dates are based on term dates published by 218 UK local authorities and devolved education bodies. Individual schools, particularly academies in England, may set their own dates within the local authority window. Always confirm specific dates before booking.
Common questions
When are the Christmas holidays in the UK?
The Christmas holidays run from 19 Dec 2026 (earliest, in England) to 4 Jan 2027 (latest, in Scotland). Dates vary by nation.
Which dates are most expensive during the Christmas holidays?
The peak window is 19 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027, when at least 80% of UK schools are off at the same time. Avoid these dates if you're booking without children.