East of England school holidays 2026/27

11 councils · compiled from each council's published calendar · latest check 12 September 2026

Most of the East of England takes October half term from Monday 26 October 2026 to Friday 30 October 2026 in 2026/27, but Norfolk takes a different week. The summer holiday starts anywhere from 22 July 2027 in Bedford to 23 July 2027 in Hertfordshire. The table compares all 11 East of England councils for 2026/27, and each council name links to its full term dates, school-day counts and the council's own notes.

East of England school holidays 2026/27 by council
CouncilOctober half termChristmasFebruary half termEasterSummer starts
Bedford26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Cambridgeshire26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Central Bedfordshire26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 4 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 12 Apr22 July 2027
Essex26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Hertfordshire26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr23 July 2027
Luton26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Norfolk23 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 4 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 12 Apr22 July 2027
Peterborough26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Southend-on-Sea26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Suffolk26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Thurrock26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027

Term dates by council in the East of England

Reading the table: dates are the days off school as each council publishes them, trimmed to the school week. A dash means the council presents that period differently and its own page explains. Academies, free schools and private schools set their own calendars, and every school adds its own inset days.

Common questions

When is October half term in the East of England in 2026?

The most common dates are: Monday 26 October 2026 to Friday 30 October 2026, taken by 10 of the 11 East of England councils we cover. Norfolk takes a different week, so check the council page for the school your children attend.

When do schools in the East of England break up for summer 2027?

It depends on the council. Bedford starts the summer holiday first, on 22 July 2027, and Hertfordshire last, on 23 July 2027. The table on this page lists every council's date.

Do all East of England councils have the same school holidays?

No. Each council sets its own calendar. In 2026/27, 10 of the 11 East of England councils share the most common October half term, but the summer holiday starts anywhere from 22 July 2027 to 23 July 2027. Families with children at schools under two councils should check both pages. Academies, free schools and private schools set their own calendars, and every school adds its own inset days.

Other regions

East Midlands · London · North East · North West · Scotland · South East · South West · Wales · West Midlands · Yorkshire and the Humber

Comparing across the whole country? See every UK council's school holidays side by side, or read how we compile term dates.