South Lanarkshire School Holidays 2026 & 2027
South Lanarkshire school holidays in 2026 and 2027 have both been officially approved by the Education Resources Committee, so you can plan ahead with confidence. Whether you need to sort childcare, book a family break or just get the dates in your diary, we’ve pulled everything together in one place.
TL;DR: Pupils return after summer on 13 August 2026. Key breaks in 2026 include October (12-16 Oct), Christmas/New Year (22 Dec 2026 to 5 Jan 2027), and Easter/Spring 2027 (5-16 April). Summer 2027 ends on 25 June. All dates sourced directly from South Lanarkshire Council.
Scroll down for the full date tables, in-service days, and our pick of the best family days out across the area!
South Lanarkshire School Holiday Dates 2025/26
These dates were approved by the Education Resources Committee on 29 October 2024 and cover the school year running into summer 2026.
| Break | Dates |
|---|---|
| February break | Mon 16 – Tue 17 February 2026 |
| In-service day | Wed 18 February 2026 |
| Easter/Spring break | Fri 3 April – Fri 17 April 2026 (schools close 2.30pm Thu 2 April) |
| May Day | Mon 4 May 2026 |
| In-service day | Thu 7 May 2026* |
| Local holiday | Fri 22 and Mon 25 May 2026** |
| Summer break starts | Thu 25 June 2026 (schools close 1pm) |
*The 7 May in-service day is proposed to coincide with the Scottish Parliamentary Election and is subject to change.
**Lanark schools close on Thu 11 and Fri 12 June 2026 instead of the May local holiday.
In-service days 2025/26
In-service days are staff training days when pupils do not attend. The confirmed in-service days for this academic year are:
- Tue 12 and Wed 13 August 2025 (start of year, all schools)
- Mon 10 November 2025
- Wed 18 February 2026
- Thu 7 May 2026 (subject to change)
South Lanarkshire School Holiday Dates 2026/27
These dates were approved by the Education Resources Committee on 9 September 2025 and cover the full school year from August 2026 to summer 2027.
| Break | Dates |
|---|---|
| Pupils return (new year) | Thu 13 August 2026 |
| September weekend | Fri 25 and Mon 28 September 2026 |
| October break | Mon 12 – Fri 16 October 2026 |
| Christmas/New Year break | Wed 22 Dec 2026 (close 2.30pm) – Tue 5 Jan 2027 |
| Pupils return | Wed 6 January 2027 |
| February break | Mon 15 – Tue 16 February 2027 |
| In-service day | Wed 17 February 2027 |
| Easter/Spring break | Mon 5 April – Fri 16 April 2027 (schools close 2.30pm Fri 2 April) |
| Pupils return | Mon 19 April 2027 |
| May Day | Mon 3 May 2027 |
| In-service day | Thu 6 May 2027 |
| Local holiday | Fri 28 and Mon 31 May 2027* |
| Summer break starts | Fri 25 June 2027 (schools close 1pm) |
*Lanark schools close on Thu 10 and Fri 11 June 2027 for Lanimer celebrations instead.
In-service days 2026/27
- Tue 11 and Wed 12 August 2026 (start of year, all schools)
- Mon 9 November 2026
- Wed 17 February 2027
- Thu 6 May 2027
Top Things to Do in the South Lanarkshire School Holidays
Got the dates sorted? Now for the fun part! South Lanarkshire is packed with brilliant family days out, whether you’re after fresh air, big thrills or a rainy-day backup plan. We’ve got over 462 things to do in Lanarkshire listed on our site, and 319 of them are indoors, so the Scottish weather is no excuse!
Here are some firm family favourites to get you started.
Calderglen Country Park, East Kilbride
A brilliant all-rounder for families with kids of any age. Calderglen is a four-star visitor attraction with a children’s zoo (meerkats, marmosets, wallabies and owls), a tropical glasshouse, ornamental gardens and over 5km of scenic riverside nature trails. There’s an adventure playground for older kids and a dedicated toddler play area too. Best of all, entry to the park itself is free. Perfect for the October break or a sunny May half-term!
Location: Strathaven Road, East Kilbride, G75 0QZ
James Hamilton Heritage Park, East Kilbride
If your family loves the outdoors and a bit of adventure, this one is a must! Built around a 16-acre loch, James Hamilton Heritage Park offers canoeing, dinghy sailing and windsurfing sessions for adults and children alike. There are two adventure playgrounds, a 1.2km buggy-friendly path and a bird sanctuary. Water sports are seasonal, so the Easter and summer holidays are the ideal time to visit. Gracies Café does a great job of rounding off the day!
Location: Stewartfield Way, East Kilbride, G74 5LB
M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park, Motherwell
For a proper big day out, M&D’s at Strathclyde Country Park is hard to beat! Scotland’s premier theme park has a huge range of rides, roller coasters, indoor attractions and food outlets. It’s brilliant for older children and teenagers who want something with a bit more excitement. Also within the park is Amazonia, Scotland’s only indoor tropical rainforest, which is a great wet-weather option.
Location: Strathclyde Country Park, Bellshill, Motherwell, ML1 3RT
Falls of Clyde, New Lanark
For a more peaceful day out, the Falls of Clyde never disappoints. Part of the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve, this stunning spot features spectacular waterfalls, over 100 species of birds, woodland walks and incredible wildlife. New Lanark World Heritage Site is right next door, making it an easy double-header for curious families.
Location: New Lanark, ML11 9DB
Ready to plan your next South Lanarkshire adventure? Browse all family days out in Lanarkshire and find something perfect for every break!
South Lanarkshire School Holidays FAQs
When do South Lanarkshire schools break up for summer 2026?
South Lanarkshire schools close for summer on Thursday 25 June 2026 at 1pm. Pupils return in August 2026 on Thursday 13 August (with in-service days on 11 and 12 August).
When is the October half-term 2026 in South Lanarkshire?
The October break runs from Monday 12 October to Friday 16 October 2026. Pupils return on Monday 19 October.
When is Easter 2027 in South Lanarkshire?
The Easter/Spring break for 2027 runs from Monday 5 April to Friday 16 April 2027. Schools close at 2.30pm on Friday 2 April. Pupils return on Monday 19 April 2027.
Are the South Lanarkshire school holiday dates confirmed?
Yes! Both the 2025/26 and 2026/27 school holiday dates have been formally approved by South Lanarkshire Council’s Education Resources Committee. You can check the latest information directly on the South Lanarkshire Council school holidays page.
Do Lanark schools have different holiday dates?
Mostly the same, but with one local difference. Lanark schools close on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 June 2027 for Lanimer celebrations, instead of the general local holiday at the end of May. In 2026, Lanark schools close on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 June instead of the 22/25 May local holiday.
Where can I find things to do in South Lanarkshire during the school holidays?
We’ve got you covered! Browse our full guide to family days out in Lanarkshire with over 462 attractions, from theme parks and nature reserves to soft play and swimming pools.