There are five main school holiday periods in Antrim each academic year, including the summer holidays, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, and mid-term breaks. The Antrim School Holidays timetable helps parents, childcare, and important commitments around school closures.
This guide brings together the latest Antrim School Holidays and term dates in one place. It makes it easy to stay informed, plan ahead, and keep track of key school dates throughout the academic year.
Antrim School Holidays 2025/2026
The 2025-2026 school year is structured around three main terms. The following tables outline the standard term dates and official bank holidays when pupils do not attend.
2025-2026 Term Dates
| Term | Starting Date | Ending Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Monday 1 September 2025 | Friday 19 December 2025 |
| Term 2 | Monday 5 January 2026 | Thursday 2 April 2026 |
| Term 3 | Monday 20 April 2026 | Tuesday 30 June 2026 |
2025-2026 Bank Holidays
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Halloween | Friday 31 October 2025 |
| St Patrick’s Day | Tuesday 17 March 2026 |
| May Day Bank Holiday | Monday 4 May 2026 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday 25 May 2026 |
Antrim School Holidays 2026/2027
Mark your calendar for the next academic year. Here are the projected Antrim term dates and bank holidays for 2026/2027 to help you plan ahead.
2026-2027 Term Dates
| Term | Starting Date | Ending Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Monday 31 August 2026 | Friday 18 December 2026 |
| Term 2 | Monday 5 January 2027 | Thursday 1 April 2027 |
| Term 3 | Tuesday 20 April 2027 | Wednesday 30 June 2027 |
2026-2027 Bank Holidays
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Halloween | Monday 31 October 2026 |
| St Patrick’s Day | Wednesday 17 March 2027 |
| May Day Bank Holiday | Monday 3 May 2027 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday 31 May 2027 |
Antrim School Holidays 2027/2028
Looking further ahead? Use these anticipated dates for the 2027-2028 school year as a reliable planning framework for future Antrim school holidays.
2027-2028 Term Dates
| Term | Starting Date | Ending Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Monday 30 August 2027 | Friday 17 December 2027 |
| Term 2 | Wednesday 5 January 2028 | Thursday 23 March 2028 |
| Term 3 | Monday 10 April 2028 | Friday 30 June 2028 |
2027-2028 Bank Holidays
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Halloween | Monday 31 October 2027 |
| St Patrick’s Day | Friday 17 March 2028 |
| May Day Bank Holiday | Monday 1 May 2028 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday 29 May 2028 |
Have a Question About School Holiday Dates?
If you’ve spotted an issue, need clarification, or have a question about UK school holidays or term dates, feel free to get in touch with us.
Detailed Antrim School Holidays Explained
Understanding the structure of the school calendar NI helps with logistics. Here’s what each break typically involves:
- Half Term: These are short, week-long breaks in the middle of Term 1 (October) and Term 2 (February). Antrim half term dates February are a key pause in the spring term.
- Mid Term: Often refers to the shorter, 2-3 day breaks around bank holidays, like the Spring Bank Holiday weekend in May.
- Spring Term: This is Term 2, running from the New Year school holidays in January until the Easter holidays. It includes the February half term.
- Summer Term: This is Term 3, commencing after the Antrim Easter holidays and running until the last day of school year Antrim, which is typically around the end of June.
Check: UK School Holidays
School Closures and Development Days
Beyond public holidays, schools schedule school development days (often called staff training days). These are DENI allocated days for teacher training and are non-operational dates for students. Crucially, while the Antrim Council and the Department of Education provide a framework, individual schools have operational discretion to set up to five of these days.
Pupils do not attend on these days, and the specific dates can differ school-to-school, so checking with your child’s Antrim primary school is essential.
Important Bank Holidays & Mid-Term Breaks
Bank holiday school closures are fixed and apply to all schools. Key dates to watch for include St Patrick’s Day (17 March) and the May Day bank holiday. The Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May often creates a popular mid-term break long weekend. Always confirm if your school bridges these holidays with an additional day off.
Remember, while this provides the official framework, a quick check with your child’s own school for their specific calendar of school development days is the final, crucial step.
Related School Holidays
- Northern Ireland School Holidays
- Derry School Holidays
- Belfast School Holidays
- Armagh School Holidays
- Lisburn School Holidays
- Newry School Holidays
Useful Resources
For the most precise information, always refer to official sources. The Antrim Council website may publish local notices, and the Department of Education’s website is the authoritative source for the regional school calendar NI.
FAQs
What is the last day of school for summer 2026?
Yes, Tuesday 30 June 2026. This is the standard last day of school year Antrim for the 2026 academic year before the summer holiday begins.
Are the Easter holiday dates inclusive?
Yes. When published, Antrim school holiday dates inclusive mean the first and last dates listed are both days off.
How do school dates differ from school to school?
They can vary slightly. While term dates are standard, individual schools set their own staff training days and have some discretionary days, so always check your school’s website.
Do all schools close on St Patrick’s Day?
Yes. St Patrick’s Day (17 March) is a official public holiday in Northern Ireland, so all schools and most businesses are closed.
What are DENI school development days?
They are mandatory training days for school staff allocated by the Department of Education. Pupils do not attend on these school development days.