Cardiff schools operate under the Welsh academic calendar, with six terms and regular half-term breaks. This page provides official Cardiff school holidays and term dates.
These dates apply to most council-maintained schools. Academies may vary slightly, especially for staff development days.
Cardiff School Holidays 2025/2026
Stay one step ahead with the key dates for the Cardiff School Holidays 2025/2026 academic year in Cardiff.
2025-2026 Term Dates
Here are the standard term start and end dates for Cardiff schools.
| Term | Starting Date | Ending Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term 2025 | Tuesday, 2 September 2025 | Friday, 19 December 2025 |
| Spring Term 2026 | Monday, 5 January 2026 | Friday, 3 April 2026 |
| Summer Term 2026 | Monday, 20 April 2026 | Friday, 17 July 2026 |
2025-2026 Bank Holidays
Plan around these UK public holidays that may affect your schedule.
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Early May Bank Holiday | Monday, 5 May 2025 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday, 25 May 2026 |
| Summer Bank Holiday | Monday, 31 August 2026 |
| Christmas Day | Friday, 25 December 2026 |
| Boxing Day | Monday, 28 December 2026 |
Cardiff School Holidays 2026/2027
Looking further ahead? Here’s the outline for Cardiff School Holidays 2026/2027 school year.
2026-2027 Term Dates
Mark your calendar with these important term start and end dates.
| Term | Starting Date | Ending Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term 2026 | Monday, 7 September 2026 | Friday, 18 December 2026 |
| Spring Term 2027 | Monday, 4 January 2027 | Friday, 26 March 2027 |
| Summer Term 2027 | Monday, 12 April 2027 | Friday, 16 July 2027 |
2026-2027 Bank Holidays
Don’t forget these national holidays during the academic year.
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Early May Bank Holiday | Monday, 3 May 2027 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday, 31 May 2027 |
| Summer Bank Holiday | Monday, 30 August 2027 |
| Christmas Day | Monday, 27 December 2027 |
| Boxing Day | Tuesday, 28 December 2027 |
Cardiff School Holidays 2027/2028
Start your long-term planning with these provisional dates for 2027/2028.
2027-2028 Term Dates
Use this framework to pencil in future family plans.
| Term | Starting Date | Ending Date |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term 2027 | Monday, 6 September 2027 | Friday, 17 December 2027 |
| Spring Term 2028 | Monday, 10 January 2028 | Friday, 31 March 2028 |
| Summer Term 2028 | Monday, 17 April 2028 | Friday, 21 July 2028 |
2027-2028 Bank Holidays
A quick glance at the bank holidays falling in this period.
| Bank Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Early May Bank Holiday | Monday, 1 May 2028 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday, 29 May 2028 |
| Summer Bank Holiday | Monday, 28 August 2028 |
| Christmas Day | Monday, 25 December 2028 |
| Boxing Day | Tuesday, 26 December 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.
Staff Development Days (Inset Days)
Crucially, school in-service days (also called Inset Days) are set by each individual school. While the Cardiff City Council provides a standard framework, schools allocate up to five of these staff training days each year. They are not holidays for pupils, so you must check your own school’s website or newsletter for their specific dates—this is essential for arranging childcare during school holidays and Inset Days.
Cardiff school holidays align with the Welsh academic calendar, offering consistency for families and planners.
Related School Holidays
Useful Resources
For the most authoritative information, always refer to the source:
- Cardiff City Council: The council’s website publishes the finalised term dates. It’s your best bet for confirming any last-minute school holiday changes.
FAQs
Do all Cardiff schools have the same holidays?
Most follow the council’s calendar, but academies, foundation, and voluntary-aided schools can set their own dates. Always check with your specific school.
What’s on in Cardiff for kids half term?
Yes! Cardiff offers fantastic free and paid activities. Check Cardiff Council’s event pages, museums like St Fagans, and Cardiff Castle for special holiday events.
Are academies included?
Not always. Academies have more freedom to set their own term dates, so the dates here are a guide. Confirm directly with the academy.
Are inset days counted as holidays?
No. Inset days are working days for staff but are closures for pupils. They are separate from the published holiday dates.
Are half-term dates consistent?
Generally, yes. They fall within the standard October, February, and May breaks outlined in the term date tables, but the exact week can vary slightly.
Can I use these dates for planning trips?
Absolutely, they are perfect for preliminary planning. However, for definitive booking, especially around Easter break which changes yearly, confirm with your school first.
Do half-term dates change every year?
Yes. Half-term dates depend on the academic calendar.