Parents and students are already searching for Easter term dates 2026 so they can organise travel, childcare and revision plans. Easter affects the spring term and it often shapes family schedules across March and April. However, school holiday dates are not identical across the UK.
In this guide, you will find the confirmed Easter 2026 date, the most common Easter 2026 dates UK schools follow and clear answers to questions such as when is Easter 2026 UK and when is Easter half term 2026 UK. You will also learn why Easter holidays 2026 UK vary by region and how to check your exact school calendar.
Let’s begin with the official Easter 2026 date before looking at term dates.
What Date Is Easter 2026?
If you are searching for what date Easter 2026 is or what date Easter Sunday 2026 the answer is clear. Easter Sunday 2026 falls on Sunday, 5 April 2026. This means the UK public holidays are:
- Good Friday: Friday 3 April 2026
- Easter Monday: Monday 6 April 2026
These dates apply across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Therefore, if you are asking when Easter 2026 UK is or looking up Easter 2026 UK, you now have the confirmed national dates.
However, school holiday periods do not always begin exactly on Good Friday. That is why Easter 2026 term dates can appear different from the bank holiday weekend.
Easter 2026 Dates UK: How School Holidays Are Scheduled
When families search Easter 2026 dates UK or Easter holidays 2026 UK, they usually want to know when schools close and reopen.
Most schools in England and Wales break for around two weeks during the Easter term. In many areas, pupils finish school between Friday, 27 March and Friday, 3 April 2026. They often return around Monday, 13 April 2026.
Despite this general pattern, each local authority sets its own calendar. Academies may follow council dates, yet they can adjust slightly. Independent schools can also follow different structures.
Therefore, if you search for term dates Easter 2026 or Easter 2026 term dates, you may see different answers because councils set their own school calendars. The Easter 2026 date stays fixed. School term dates do not.
Easter Term Dates 2026 in England Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
The Easter term usually refers to the part of the spring term that includes the Easter holiday break. Some schools simply describe it as Easter holidays, while others list it within spring term schedules.
In England, most councils follow a two-week Easter holiday period. The start date often falls in late March or early April. The return date usually sits in mid-April.
Wales uses a similar structure, although exact days can differ by authority. The variation is usually small, yet it still matters for families with children in different schools.
Scotland follows its own academic calendar. Scottish councils often align the Easter break with early April, yet dates may differ across regions. This is why Easter holiday UK searches show more than one answer.
Easter Half Term Dates 2026 and Easter 2026 Half Term Dates
Many parents type Easter half-term dates 2026 or Easter 2026 half-term dates when they mean the full Easter holiday break.
In most UK schools, there is no separate Easter half-term like the autumn or February half-term. Instead, schools close for a full Easter break within the spring term.
However, the phrase Easter half-term 2026 has become common in online searches. Parents may also ask when Easter half term is in 2026 or when Easter half term is in 2026 in the UK.
In practical terms, the answer refers to the two-week Easter holiday period set by your council or academy. For many English councils, this spans late March into early April 2026. In other regions, it begins at the start of April.
If you are searching for when Easter half term is in the UK in 2026 or for Easter half term 2026 UK, always confirm with your local authority.
Easter Holidays 2026 UK: Why Dates Are Different
There are several reasons why Easter holidays 2026 in the UK vary.
First, local councils create their own term calendars within national guidelines. That flexibility leads to small regional differences.
Second, academies and free schools have more control over their term dates. Many align with councils, but they can adjust a few days, when needed.
Third, inset days change return dates. Schools may schedule staff training immediately, before or after the Easter break, which alters the first day back for pupils.
For this reason, Easter holiday schedules can differ even between neighbouring schools.
When Is Easter Half Term 2026 UK? A Simple Way to Check
If you are asking when Easter half term 2026 UK is or when Easter half term UK 2026 falls, follow this simple method.
Start by searching your council’s name, followed by school term dates 2025 to 2026. Councils publish confirmed calendars well in advance. Next, visit your child’s school website. Academies sometimes adjust dates slightly from council schedules.
Finally, check newsletters for inset days. A single inset day can shift the first day back after the Easter term. By following these steps, you will have accurate Easter 2026 term dates for your specific school.
Easter 2026 UK and Travel Planning
Because Easter 2026 UK falls in early April, many families travel during the school holiday window.
Flights and accommodation prices often rise once the Easter term break begins. Booking early usually helps reduce costs. Midweek departures sometimes offer better value than weekend travel. Parents who confirm their Easter term dates 2026 early often secure more affordable options.
Planning also matters for families who are balancing holidays with exam revision. Knowing the exact Easter 2026 dates that UK schools follow allows you to organise your time realistically.
Easter Term and Exam Preparation
For GCSE and A Level students, the Easter term break is an important revision period.
Summer exam timetables and qualification standards are regulated nationally by Ofqual.
Many schools finish teaching most of the syllabus before Easter. Students then use the holiday to consolidate knowledge and practise exam questions. Knowing the confirmed Easter 2026 date and school holiday window helps families build structured revision plans. Short daily study sessions tend to work better than intense last-minute cramming.
Parents who understand Easter 2026 term dates can support healthy routines and avoid unnecessary pressure.
Easter 2026 Date and Public Holiday Overview
If you need a quick recap of Easter 2026 dates, here it is:
- Easter Sunday: 5 April 2026
- Good Friday: 3 April 2026
- Easter Monday: 6 April 2026
These are national public holidays. You can confirm these public holiday dates on the official UK government bank holidays page.
School Easter holidays 2026 UK may begin before Good Friday or extend beyond Easter Monday, depending on the council.
This distinction explains why searches such as what date is Easter 2026 and Easter holidays 2026 UK produce different types of answers.
Term Dates Easter 2026: Key Points for Parents
When reviewing term dates Easter 2026, keep these points in mind. Easter Sunday always falls on a fixed calendar date each year. School holiday dates vary by region.
Councils publish official term calendars early so families can plan ahead. Checking your local authority website reduces confusion. Academies may differ slightly from council dates. Always confirm directly with your child’s school. Following this approach ensures you have accurate Easter term dates 2026 rather than relying on general national summaries.
Easter 2026 UK: Bringing Everything Together
If you search Easter 2026 UK or Easter 2026 dates UK, you will find the official bank holiday dates quickly. The complexity begins when you look at school calendars.
Easter holidays 2026 UK depend on where you live and which type of school your child attends. Most schools close for around two weeks during late March and early April, yet exact start and finish dates differ.
The safest approach is simple. Confirm the Easter 2026 term dates with your council and then double-check with your school. Once you know your dates, you can organise travel, childcare and revision without stress.
Conclusion
Easter term dates 2026 vary across the UK, even though the Easter 2026 date itself is fixed.
Easter Sunday falls on 5 April 2026, with Good Friday on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April. School Easter holidays 2026 UK usually span two weeks around this period, but start and end dates depend on local councils and individual schools.
If you are asking when Easter half-term is in the UK in 2026 or searching for Easter 2026 term dates, always confirm through official sources. Checking early allows you to plan travel support revision and avoid last-minute surprises.
With the correct Easter term dates 2026 in hand, you can organise the spring break confidently and make the most of the time
If Easter revision feels overwhelming, working with an online tutor can make it far more manageable by turning your holiday into a clear plan with focused goals and regular feedback.
You Might Be Interested
You can also explore our related blogs for more helpful guides and practical tips to support your planning:
Easter Revision: Get Ahead in Your Studies
School Holiday Dates 2026 UK: What You Need to Know
How Many Terms are in a School Year in the UK
FAQs
What date is Easter Sunday 2026?
Easter Sunday 2026 falls on Sunday, 5 April 2026. Good Friday is 3 April 2026 and Easter Monday is 6 April 2026 across the UK.
When is Easter half term 2026 UK?
There is no separate national Easter half-term. Most schools close for a two-week Easter holiday during late March and early April, but exact dates depend on your local authority.
Do all schools share the same Easter holidays 2026 UK dates?
No. Councils set their own term calendars and academies may vary slightly. Always confirm Easter term dates 2026 through your school’s official website.
Why do Easter term dates 2026 vary between regions?
Local authorities decide school term structures within national guidance. Inset days and academy flexibility also create small differences in Easter holidays UK schedules.
