Northern Ireland School Holidays & Term Dates
October Half-Term is on now: 29 Oct 2026 (Thu) – 30 Oct 2026 (Fri) (2 days). Official Northern Ireland school term dates.
See 2026 school holiday dates
days left of this school holiday
Next school holiday in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland schools are currently on the October Half-Term.
The break ends on , and schools reopen on .
Ends in 1 day.
When does school start in Northern Ireland?
The 2027 school year begins on .
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United KingdomNorthern Ireland
2026 calendar
Northern Ireland school holidays in 2026 include summer, October half-term and Christmas break. Local authorities and schools may add INSET days — confirm locally.
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| Period | Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|
Summer HolidaysBreakBreak | Dates1 Jul 2026 (Wed) – 31 Aug 2026 (Mon) | Days62 |
Autumn TermTermTerm | Dates1 Sept 2026 (Tue) – 28 Oct 2026 (Wed) | Days58 |
October Half-TermBreakBreak | Dates29 Oct 2026 (Thu) – 30 Oct 2026 (Fri) | Days2 |
Term 2TermTerm | Dates31 Oct 2026 (Sat) – 20 Dec 2026 (Sun) | Days51 |
Christmas HolidaysBreakBreak | Dates21 Dec 2026 (Mon) – 1 Jan 2027 (Fri) | Days12 |
More ways to plan your trips
Compare calendars with family abroad, or stretch leave into longer breaks.
At a glance
- School days
- 109
- Holiday days
- 76
- Terms
- 2
- Longest break
- 62d
- Shortest break
- 2d
- Avg break
- 25.3d
Summer Holidays
October Half-Term
Year timeline
Sky bars show school terms, and amber bars show school breaks across 2026.
School terms: Autumn Term, 1 Sept 2026 (Tue) – 28 Oct 2026 (Wed); Term 2, 31 Oct 2026 (Sat) – 20 Dec 2026 (Sun). School breaks: Summer Holidays, 1 Jul 2026 (Wed) – 31 Aug 2026 (Mon); October Half-Term, 29 Oct 2026 (Thu) – 30 Oct 2026 (Fri); Christmas Holidays, 21 Dec 2026 (Mon) – 1 Jan 2027 (Fri)
- School terms
- School breaks
School holidays by year
FAQ
How many Northern Ireland school holiday blocks are there each year?
Typically six: October half-term, Christmas, February half-term, Easter, May half-term, and the long summer holiday. Exact lengths vary by nation and local authority.
What is the next school holiday in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland schools are currently on October Half-Term, ending 30 Oct 2026 (Fri).
When are the next Northern Ireland school holidays?
Open the Northern Ireland hub for a live countdown to the next break, or pick a year calendar for half-terms, Christmas, Easter and summer holidays. Local authority and school INSET days can differ from the reference dates we publish.
Are schools currently on holiday in Northern Ireland?
Yes. Northern Ireland schools are on October Half-Term until 30 Oct 2026 (Fri).
Are TermBreaks dates the official Northern Ireland school holidays?
Dates follow the cited Northern Ireland education authority or a widely used reference calendar for that nation. Every page links the source and last-verified date. Always confirm with your local authority or school, especially for INSET days.
Where can I verify Northern Ireland school holiday dates?
Cross-check the cited source at https://www.eani.org.uk/ and your local authority or school calendar. TermBreaks links sources and last-verified dates on every calendar page and on the methodology page.
Are INSET / training days included in the Northern Ireland holiday list?
No. TermBreaks lists term blocks and major holiday breaks. Teacher training (INSET) days are set locally and are not always published as term breaks — check your school.
Do all schools in Northern Ireland follow the same term dates?
Not always. Most grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland follow Education Authority standard dates, but always confirm with your school. Independent schools can also differ.
When does school start in Northern Ireland?
The 2027 Education Authority Northern Ireland school year begins on 4 Jan 2027 (Mon).