Northern Ireland school holidays: Full list of term dates and breaks - and when schools go back after Easter

• In Northern Ireland, young people have slightly shorter school breaks than their peers across the UK
• These usually include the Easter holidays and Christmas
• But there are still a number of bank holidays and half term breaks parents should be aware of

The Easter break is almost here for Northern Ireland’s schoolchildren, even as their peers across the UK prepare to head back to school in the coming days.

Although schools in England, Wales, and Scotland usually let out for two weeks in April, marking the end of the spring term and the start of the summer one, Northern Ireland’s Easter holidays (beginning on Thursday, April 17 this year) look a little different. But pupils here get an extra long eight-week summer holiday to help make up for the fact that some of their other breaks throughout the year are shorter, including this one.

The dates for these holidays are laid out by the Department of Education, and are usually pretty consistent across most schools in Northern Ireland - although it does specify that schools can operate on those dates at their own discretion, “to suit their individual circumstances”.

Here is a general guide to when Northern Ireland’s school terms will begin and end throughout the rest of 2025. Schools are also closed on Bank Holidays when they fall within term time, so we’ve made sure to include those as well.

Northern Ireland’s term and school holiday dates 2025

Spring term

• Thursday, 17 April - Friday, 25 April: Easter holidays

Summer term

• Monday, 28 April: Summer term begins
• Monday, 5 May: May Day
• Monday, 26 May: Spring bank holiday
• Tuesday, 1 July: End of 2024/25 school year - summer holidays begin

Autumn term 2025/26

• Monday, 1 September: Start of new school year
• Thursday, 30 October 2024 - Friday, 31 October: Halloween
• Monday, 22 December 2025 to Friday, 2 January 2026: Christmas and New Year holidays

What will you and your family be doing over the school holidays to keep your children entertained? Let us know by leaving a comment below.