There are five main holiday periods across the academic year, giving families regular breaks to plan ahead. The Down School Holidays calendar includes the long summer holiday, Christmas and Easter breaks, plus two mid-term holidays.
Keeping track of the official Down School Holidays and term dates helps parents coordinate work schedules, childcare, and family travel. Knowing confirmed start dates and school closures ensures there are no last-minute surprises.
Down School Holidays 2025/2026
Planning for the Down School Holidays 2025/2026 academic year? Here are your complete term dates and bank holidays.
2025-2026 Term Dates
| Term | Starting Date | Ending Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 1 September 2025 | 19 December 2025 |
| Halloween Break | 27-31 October 2025 | (within Autumn Term) |
| Christmas Break | 22 December 2025 – 2 January 2026 | (between terms) |
| Spring Term | 5 January 2026 | 27 March 2026 |
| Mid-Term Break | 16-20 February 2026 | (within Spring Term) |
| St Patrick’s Day | 17 March 2026 | (school closed) |
| Easter Break | 30 March – 10 April 2026 | (between terms) |
| Summer Term | 13 April 2026 | 30 June 2026 |
| May Day Break | 4 May 2026 | (school closed) |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 25 May 2026 | (school closed) |
2025-2026 Bank Holidays
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Christmas Day | 25 December 2025 |
| Boxing Day | 26 December 2025 |
| New Year’s Day | 1 January 2026 |
| St Patrick’s Day | 17 March 2026 |
| Good Friday | 3 April 2026 |
| Easter Monday | 6 April 2026 |
| May Day | 4 May 2026 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 25 May 2026 |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 31 August 2026 |
Find UK School Holidays by Council
Looking for official school holiday dates across the UK? Browse our complete guide to UK school holidays organised by council so you can quickly find accurate term dates and plan family activities with confidence.
Down School Holidays 2026/2027
2026-2027 Term Dates
| Term | Starting Date | Ending Date |
|---|---|---|
| Schools resume after summer holiday | 1 September 2026 | – |
| Autumn Term | 1 September 2026 | 18 December 2026 |
| Halloween Break | 29-30 October 2026 | (school closed) |
| Additional Closure Day | 25 September 2026 | (TransformED NI) |
| Christmas and New Year | 21 December 2026 – 1 January 2027 | (between terms) |
| Spring Term | 4 January 2027 | 26 March 2027 |
| Mid-term Break | 11-12 February 2027 | (school closed) |
| Additional Closure Day | 25 January 2027 | (TransformED NI) |
| St Patrick’s Day | 17 March 2027 | (school closed) |
| Easter Break | 25 March – 2 April 2027 | (between terms) |
| Summer Term | 12 April 2027 | 30 June 2027 |
| May Day | 3 May 2027 | (school closed) |
| Additional Closure Day | 4 May 2027 | (TransformED NI) |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 31 May 2027 | (school closed) |
| Summer holiday begins | 1 July 2027 | – |
2026-2027 Bank Holidays
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 |
| Boxing Day | 26 December 2026 (observed) |
| New Year’s Day | 1 January 2027 |
| St Patrick’s Day | 17 March 2027 |
| Good Friday | 26 March 2027 |
| Easter Monday | 29 March 2027 |
| May Day | 3 May 2027 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 31 May 2027 |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 30 August 2027 |
Check More: Northern Ireland School Holidays
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.
Down School Holidays 2027/2028
2027-2028 Term Dates
| Term | Starting Date | Ending Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 1 September 2027 | 22 December 2027 |
| Halloween Break | 28-29 October 2027 | (school closed) |
| Christmas Break | 23 December 2027 – 7 January 2028 | (between terms) |
| Spring Term | 10 January 2028 | 31 March 2028 |
| Mid-Term Break | 17-18 February 2028 | (school closed) |
| St Patrick’s Day | 17 March 2028 | (school closed) |
| Easter Break | 10-21 April 2028 | (between terms) |
| Summer Term | 24 April 2028 | 30 June 2028 |
| May Day | 1 May 2028 | (school closed) |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 29 May 2028 | (school closed) |
2027-2028 Bank Holidays
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Christmas Day | 27 December 2027 (observed) |
| Boxing Day | 28 December 2027 (observed) |
| New Year’s Day | 3 January 2028 (observed) |
| St Patrick’s Day | 17 March 2028 |
| Good Friday | 14 April 2028 |
| Easter Monday | 17 April 2028 |
| May Day | 1 May 2028 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 29 May 2028 |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 28 August 2028 |
Staff Development & Closures in Down
Understanding staff training days and school development days is just as important as knowing holiday dates. Here’s what Down families need to know:
What Are School Development Days?
School development days (also called inset days or teacher training days Down) are when teaching staff engage in professional development while pupils do not attend school. These dates often vary by school discretion based on individual circumstances.
Why Dates May Vary
Remember that schools can operate on non-operational dates at their own discretion. Always check with your specific school, as school-to-school variations are common for training days.
Also Check: Belfast School Holidays
Useful Resources
For the most up-to-date information and official announcements:
- Down Council – Local authority information and services
- NI Education – Official Department of Education Northern Ireland
FAQs
When do schools resume after summer holiday in Down?
Schools typically resume on 1 September. If this falls on a weekend, schools return on the following Monday.
Are all Down schools closed on St Patrick’s Day?
Yes, St Patrick’s Day (17 March) is a public holiday across Northern Ireland, so all schools are closed.
When does the summer holiday begin in Down?
The summer holiday begins on 1 July annually, unless this date falls on a weekend.
Do all Down schools have the same staff training days?
No, staff training days vary by school discretion and individual circumstances. Always check with your specific school.
What are the Halloween break dates for Down schools?
Most Down schools close for two days (usually the last Thursday and Friday in October) for the Halloween break.
How many weeks is the Easter break?
Down schools typically close for two weeks over Easter, though exact Easter break dates shift annually based on the religious calendar.