When is half-term 2026 in the UK?
UK schools have three half-term breaks: October, February, and May. Dates vary slightly between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and Scotland's October break falls one to two weeks earlier than the rest.
In 2026 Scotland takes 12–23 October; England 26–30 October. A trip starting 23–25 October lands between both half-terms — Scottish schools back in session, English half-term not yet started. Priced like term time. This pattern repeats most years with a 1–2 week offset between Scotland and England.
The three UK half-terms
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October half-term
12 Oct to 30 Oct 2026
Earliest in Scotland, latest in England.
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February half-term
8 Feb to 19 Feb 2027
Earliest in Wales, latest in England.
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May half-term
27 May to 4 Jun 2027
Earliest in Scotland, latest in England.
Why half-term dates vary across the UK
There's a non-binding national framework, but the four UK education systems set their own term dates. England delegates to local authorities and academy trusts. Scotland's 32 councils set their own. Wales's 22 local authorities work to central guidance. Northern Ireland is centrally coordinated by the Education Authority. Most years half-terms align within a week, but Scotland's October break tends to fall earlier.
The cheapest weeks to travel around half-term
For anyone booking without children, the cheapest weeks are the ones immediately before or after the all-four-nations overlap. Shifting a trip by three or four days can cut accommodation prices by 20 to 40%, especially for short-haul European destinations and UK self-catering rentals.
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.