Autumn Term
–
58 days
2026 Northern Ireland School Holidays & Term Dates
Northern Ireland school holidays in 2026 include summer, October half-term and Christmas break. Local authorities and schools may add INSET days — confirm locally.
Source: Education Authority Northern IrelandLast verified
Next Northern Ireland school holiday
2 days
The next 2026 school holiday is October Half-Term, from 29 Oct 2026 to 30 Oct 2026 — 13 days away. Schools reopen on .
2026 school holiday dates
| Holiday | Start | End | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Holidays | Start | End | Duration62 days |
| October Half-Term | Start | End | Duration2 days |
| Christmas Holidays | Start | End | Duration12 days |
2026 school term dates
Term 2
–
51 days
School holiday periods
Summer Holidays school holidays 2026
Summer Holidays runs from 1 Jul 2026 (Wed) – 31 Aug 2026 (Mon) (62 days inclusive). The Summer Holidays end on 31 Aug 2026 (Mon). Autumn Term begins and schools reopen on 1 Sept 2026 (Tue).
October Half-Term school holidays 2026
October Half-Term runs from 29 Oct 2026 (Thu) – 30 Oct 2026 (Fri) (2 days inclusive). The October Half-Term end on 30 Oct 2026 (Fri). Term 2 begins and schools reopen on 31 Oct 2026 (Sat).
Christmas Holidays school holidays 2026
Christmas Holidays runs from 21 Dec 2026 (Mon) – 1 Jan 2027 (Fri) (12 days inclusive).
Northern Ireland school start and reopening dates in 2026
- School year starts
- After the Summer Holidays
- Schools reopen (Autumn Term begins)
- After the October Half-Term
- Schools reopen (Term 2 begins)
- School year ends
FAQ
When are the Summer Holidays school holidays in Northern Ireland in 2026?
The Summer Holidays run from 1 Jul 2026 (Wed) to 31 Aug 2026 (Mon) (62 days inclusive).
When is Summer Holidays in Northern Ireland 2026?
Summer Holidays runs from 1 July 2026 to 31 August 2026 (62 days) on the reference calendar used here. Confirm with your local authority or school before booking travel.
When are the October Half-Term school holidays in Northern Ireland in 2026?
The October Half-Term run from 29 Oct 2026 (Thu) to 30 Oct 2026 (Fri) (2 days inclusive).
When is October Half-Term in Northern Ireland 2026?
October Half-Term runs from 29 October 2026 to 30 October 2026 (2 days) on the reference calendar used here. Confirm with your local authority or school before booking travel.
When are the Christmas Holidays school holidays in Northern Ireland in 2026?
The Christmas Holidays run from 21 Dec 2026 (Mon) to 1 Jan 2027 (Fri) (12 days inclusive).
When is Christmas Holidays in Northern Ireland 2026?
Christmas Holidays runs from 21 December 2026 to 1 January 2027 (12 days) on the reference calendar used here. Confirm with your local authority or school before booking travel.
When do schools reopen after Summer Holidays in Northern Ireland?
Schools reopen on 1 Sept 2026 (Tue) for the start of Autumn Term.
When does the autumn term start in Northern Ireland 2026?
Autumn term usually begins in early September after the summer holidays. See the year calendar table for the exact reference start date used here.
When do schools reopen after October Half-Term in Northern Ireland?
Schools reopen on 31 Oct 2026 (Sat) for the start of Term 2.
When does the 2026 Northern Ireland school year end for summer?
Summer holidays begin after the final summer term ends — typically mid to late July in England and Wales, and often earlier in Scotland. Check the year calendar for the reference end date.
When does Autumn Term start in Northern Ireland in 2026?
Autumn Term runs from 1 Sept 2026 (Tue) to 28 Oct 2026 (Wed).
When does Term 2 start in Northern Ireland in 2026?
Term 2 runs from 31 Oct 2026 (Sat) to 20 Dec 2026 (Sun).
When does the 2026 school year start in Northern Ireland?
The 2026 school year starts on 1 Sept 2026 (Tue).
When does school end in Northern Ireland in 2026?
The 2026 school year ends on 20 Dec 2026 (Sun).
What is the next school holiday in Northern Ireland?
The next school holiday is October Half-Term, starting 29 Oct 2026 (Thu). See the October Half-Term section (#october-half-term-school-holidays) for full dates.
How can I add these school holiday dates to my calendar?
Use the calendar actions beside the holiday dates to subscribe, download an ICS or PDF file, or add the dates to Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook or other apps.
Email me when the next break is
No account needed. One-click unsubscribe in every email.
Compare school holidays
Compare calendars with family abroad, or stretch leave into longer breaks.
Statistics
- School days
- 109
- Holiday days
- 76
- Terms
- 2
- Longest break
- 62d
- Shortest break
- 2d
- Avg break
- 25.3d
Summer Holidays
October Half-Term
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)
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Terms
Breaks
- School terms
- School breaks
Explore more
School holidays by year
- Northern Ireland School Holidays 2026
- Northern Ireland School Holidays 2027