Lancashire school term dates & holidays 2026/27 and 2027/28
Compiled from Lancashire County Council's published calendar · last checked 7 September 2026
These are the official school term dates and holidays set by Lancashire County Council for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 academic years: term start and finish dates, half terms, and the Christmas, Easter and summer breaks. We take the dates straight from the council's own published calendar (linked below), convert them into one consistent format, and recheck them each academic year. School-day counts exclude weekends and half term but not inset days, which individual schools choose themselves.
Lancashire term dates 2026/27
| Period | Starts | Ends | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn term 2026 term | Tuesday, 1 September 2026 | Friday, 18 December 2026 | 74 school days |
| October half term holiday | Monday, 26 October 2026 | Friday, 30 October 2026 | |
| Christmas holiday holiday | Saturday, 19 December 2026 | Sunday, 3 January 2027 | |
| Spring term 2027 term | Monday, 4 January 2027 | Thursday, 25 March 2027 | 54 school days |
| February half term holiday | Monday, 15 February 2027 | Friday, 19 February 2027 | |
| Easter holiday holiday | Friday, 26 March 2027 | Sunday, 11 April 2027 | |
| Summer term 2027 term | Monday, 12 April 2027 | Wednesday, 21 July 2027 | 68 school days |
| May half term holiday | Monday, 31 May 2027 | Friday, 4 June 2027 |
- May Day bank holiday: Monday 3 May 2027.
- Total openings: 195 days. Schools must select five INSET days from the available openings, so pupil dates will differ by school.
- The council states these are guidance dates and individual schools may vary their calendars, for example for training days and religious festivals.
Lancashire term dates 2027/28
| Period | Starts | Ends | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn term 2027 term | Wednesday, 1 September 2027 | Friday, 17 December 2027 | 73 school days |
| October half term holiday | Monday, 25 October 2027 | Friday, 29 October 2027 | |
| Christmas holiday holiday | Saturday, 18 December 2027 | Monday, 3 January 2028 | |
| Spring term 2028 term | Tuesday, 4 January 2028 | Friday, 31 March 2028 | 59 school days |
| February half term holiday | Monday, 14 February 2028 | Friday, 18 February 2028 | |
| Easter holiday holiday | Saturday, 1 April 2028 | Monday, 17 April 2028 | |
| Summer term 2028 term | Tuesday, 18 April 2028 | Friday, 21 July 2028 | 64 school days |
| May half term holiday | Monday, 29 May 2028 | Friday, 2 June 2028 |
- May Day bank holiday: Monday 1 May 2028.
- Total openings: 195 days. Schools must select five INSET days from the available openings.
- The council states these are guidance dates and individual schools may vary their calendars.
Common questions
When is October half term in Lancashire?
October half term in Lancashire runs from Monday, 26 October 2026 to Friday, 30 October 2026. Pupils return the following school day.
When do Lancashire schools break up for Christmas?
The autumn term in Lancashire ends on Friday, 18 December 2026, so that is the last day of school before the Christmas holiday.
When do Lancashire schools break up for summer?
The summer term ends on Wednesday, 21 July 2027. The summer holiday starts the next day.
Is Lancashire's October half term the same as neighbouring councils?
Yes. All 22 of the other North West councils we cover share the same October half term week as Lancashire in 2026/27, so crossing a council border won't change your dates.
Do all schools in Lancashire follow these dates?
No. These are Lancashire County Council's published dates for community and voluntary-controlled schools. Academies, free schools, foundation schools and private schools set their own calendars, and every school adds its own inset days. Check with your school before booking anything you can't refund.