There are 5 main East Ayrshire School Holidays during the Academic year: October holidays, Christmas and New Year, Easter holidays, and Summer holidays.
This page provides an up-to-date school calendar based on information from East Ayrshire Council and the local education authority. You’ll also find In-service days, PDF download options, and key dates to support planning throughout the year.
East Ayrshire School Holidays 2025/2026
Here are the complete East Ayrshire school holidays and term dates for the 2025/2026 academic year. All dates are inclusive.
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Monday 18 August 2025 | In-service day |
| Tuesday 19 August 2025 | In-service day |
| Wednesday 20 August 2025 | Pupils return |
| Friday 19 September – Monday 22 September 2025 | Local holidays (subject to change in alignment with Ayr Gold Cup weekend) |
| Tuesday 23 September 2025 | Pupils return |
| Monday 13 October – Friday 17 October 2025 | October holidays |
| Monday 20 October 2025 | In-service day |
| Tuesday 21 October 2025 | Pupils return |
| Monday 22 December 2025 – Friday 2 January 2026 | Christmas and New Year |
| Monday 5 January 2026 | Pupils return |
| Monday 9 February 2026 | Local holiday |
| Tuesday 10 February 2026 | In-service day |
| Wednesday 11 February 2026 | Pupils return |
| Friday 3 April – Friday 17 April 2026 | Easter holidays (Good Friday – 3 April 2026) |
| Monday 20 April 2026 | Pupils return |
| Monday 4 May 2026 | Local holiday (May Day) |
| Tuesday 5 May 2026 | Pupils return |
| Thursday 7 May 2026 | In-service day |
| Friday 8 May 2026 | Pupils return |
| Monday 29 June – Friday 14 August 2026 | Summer holidays |
| Monday 17 August 2026 | In-service day |
| Tuesday 18 August 2026 | In-service day |
| Wednesday 19 August 2026 | Pupils return |
Key Takeaways for 2025/2026:
- October break: 13-17 October 2025, with an in-service day on 20 October.
- Christmas holidays: 22 December 2025 to 2 January 2026, with pupils back on 5 January.
- Easter holidays: 3-17 April 2026, including Good Friday.
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East Ayrshire School Holidays 2026/2027
Here are the complete East Ayrshire school holidays and term dates for the 2026/2027 academic year.
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Monday 17 August 2026 | In-service day |
| Tuesday 18 August 2026 | In-service day |
| Wednesday 19 August 2026 | Pupils return |
| Friday 18 September – Monday 21 September 2026 | Local holidays (subject to change in alignment with Ayr Gold Cup weekend) |
| Tuesday 22 September 2026 | Pupils return |
| Monday 12 October – Friday 16 October 2026 | October holidays |
| Monday 19 October 2026 | In-service day |
| Tuesday 20 October 2026 | Pupils return |
| Monday 21 December 2026 – Monday 4 January 2027 | Christmas and New Year |
| Tuesday 5 January 2027 | Pupils return |
| Friday 12 February – Monday 15 February 2027 | Local holiday |
| Tuesday 16 February 2027 | In-service day |
| Wednesday 17 February 2027 | Pupils return |
| Friday 26 March – Friday 9 April 2027 | Easter holidays (Good Friday – 26 March 2027) |
| Monday 12 April 2027 | Pupils return |
| Monday 3 May 2027 | Local holiday (May Day) |
| Tuesday 4 May 2027 | Pupils return |
| Monday 24 May 2027 | In-service day |
| Tuesday 25 May 2027 | Pupils return |
| Wednesday 30 June – Friday 13 August 2027 | Summer holidays |
| Monday 16 August 2027 | In-service day |
| Tuesday 17 August 2027 | In-service day |
| Wednesday 18 August 2027 | Pupils return |
Key Takeaways for 2026/2027:
- Autumn term break: October holidays run 12-16 October 2026.
- Christmas break: 21 December 2026 to 4 January 2027, with pupils back on 5 January.
- Easter holidays: 26 March to 9 April 2027, with Good Friday falling on 26 March.
East Ayrshire School Holidays 2027/2028
East Ayrshire Council has been consulting on the school holiday arrangements for the 2027/2028 session. As soon as the finalised dates are officially released, this page will be updated with a full breakdown of in-service days, local holidays, and pupil return dates for the 2027/2028 academic year.
Download School Holiday Calendars
For your convenience, you can download and print the official East Ayrshire school holidays for the upcoming academic years:
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FAQs
How many school holidays are there in East Ayrshire?
East Ayrshire schools have approximately 195 school days per academic year, with 7 holiday periods including October, Christmas, Easter, and summer breaks, plus local holidays and in-service days.
Does East Ayrshire have the same holidays as the rest of Scotland?
No. While the main holiday periods (October, Christmas, Easter, and summer) are similar, East Ayrshire has local holidays to align with the Ayr Gold Cup weekend and May Day.
What is the Ayr Gold Cup weekend and why do schools close?
The Ayr Gold Cup is a major horse racing event held in September, and East Ayrshire schools close to allow for local celebrations and to manage increased traffic and congestion in the area.
Are school holiday dates subject to change?
Yes, local holidays, particularly the September weekend, are subject to change to align with the Ayr Gold Cup weekend. The council publishes the finalised dates in advance.
Is May Day a school holiday in East Ayrshire?
Yes, May Day (the first Monday in May) is a local holiday for East Ayrshire schools.
Useful Resources
For the official term dates and holidays, always check the Council website.