Scotland school holidays 2025

The rounds of Christmas carol concerts, nativity plays and parties are drawing to a close as schools begin to break up for the festive season.

For pupils and teachers alike, it is a well-earned break after the autumn term.

This tends to be the longest in the academic calendar, often more than 13 weeks.

And so not only does excitement mount for Christmas but also the need for some time off.

When are the Christmas holidays?

Most pupils returned to school after the summer break in England and Wales at the beginning of September, as did those in Northern Ireland.

In Scotland they started back in August, as the summer break usually begins at the end of June.

After a half-term break at the end of October, the countdown begins for the Christmas holidays.

Most state schools in England and Wales will close for Christmas on Friday 20 December.

It is the same for schools in Scotland but slightly later in Northern Ireland on Monday 23 December.

After a two-week break, the spring term will begin on

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