North East school holidays 2026/27

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

Most of the North East takes October half term from Monday 26 October 2026 to Friday 30 October 2026 in 2026/27, and every council we cover agrees on it. The summer holiday starts anywhere from 17 July 2027 in Gateshead to 22 July 2027 in Sunderland. The table compares all 12 North East councils for 2026/27, and each council name links to its full term dates, school-day counts and the council's own notes.

North East school holidays 2026/27 by council
CouncilOctober half termChristmasFebruary half termEasterSummer starts
County Durham26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Darlington26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Gateshead26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr17 July 2027
Hartlepool26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Middlesbrough26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Newcastle upon Tyne26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr17 July 2027
North Tyneside26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Northumberland26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Redcar and Cleveland26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
South Tyneside26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr17 July 2027
Stockton-on-Tees26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Sunderland26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027

Term dates by council in the North East

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 North East in 2026?

October half term in the North East runs from Monday 26 October 2026 to Friday 30 October 2026, and every North East council we cover takes the same week.

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

It depends on the council. Gateshead starts the summer holiday first, on 17 July 2027, and Sunderland last, on 22 July 2027. The table on this page lists every council's date.

Do all North East councils have the same school holidays?

No. Each council sets its own calendar. In 2026/27, all 12 North East councils take the same October half term, but the summer holiday starts anywhere from 17 July 2027 to 22 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 · East of England · London · 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.