Christmas School Holidays 2027/2028 UK
The 2027/2028 UK Christmas and New Year school holidays begin on Monday 20 December 2027 and run through Monday 3 January 2028. Pupils break up on Friday 17 December 2027, with the spring term commencing on Tuesday 4 January 2028.
Regional Timelines & Scottish / Welsh Differences
In Scotland, statutory public holidays on 1 and 2 January mean schools frequently resume classes on Wednesday 5 or Thursday 6 January 2028. In England and Wales, where Monday 3 January is a substitute bank holiday for New Year’s Day, schools resume on Tuesday 4 January.
Documented Authority Variations:
Scottish winter break extends to accommodate the 2 January public holiday.
Travel Advice & Peak Pricing Analysis
High-peak festive rail and flight bookings peak from 17 December. Booking early ensures lower advance fares before seat allocation caps.
Combine bank holidays on Christmas Day, Boxing Day substitute, and New Year’s substitute to maximize festive leave.
Double Your Annual Leave
Connect Christmas Holidays 2027 with statutory UK bank holidays to get extended blocks of time off.
Launch Leave MaximizerSchool Absence Fine Rules
Review the DfE statutory £80/£160 penalty framework before booking flights or days outside official dates.
Check Fine CalculatorWhile local authority maintained schools adhere to published council dates, academies and foundation trusts set independent term dates and individual staff INSET days.
Local Authority Breakdown for Christmas Holidays 2027
Review official dates across UK local authorities with 1-click Google, Apple, and Outlook `.ics` calendar sync:
| Council | Nation & Region | Official Break Schedule | Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coventry City Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| Birmingham City Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| Walsall Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| City of Wolverhampton Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| Warwickshire County Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| Worcestershire County Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| Staffordshire County Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| Stoke-on-Trent City Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| Shropshire Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| Telford & Wrekin Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| Herefordshire Council | england (West Midlands) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| London Borough of Barnet | england (London) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| London Borough of Camden | england (London) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| Royal Borough of Greenwich | england (London) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| London Borough of Hackney | england (London) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham | england (London) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| London Borough of Islington | england (London) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea | england (London) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| London Borough of Lambeth | england (London) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| London Borough of Lewisham | england (London) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
| London Borough of Southwark | england (London) | Monday 20 December 2027 – Monday 3 January 2028 | View → |
Frequently Asked Questions
When do UK schools break up for Christmas in 2027?
Most UK maintained schools break up on Friday 17 December 2027. The Christmas school holiday runs from Monday 20 December 2027 until Monday 3 January 2028.
When do pupils return to school in January 2028?
Pupils in England and Wales return to school on Tuesday 4 January 2028 (as Monday 3 January is a substitute New Year’s bank holiday). In Scotland, return dates are typically between 5 and 6 January 2028.