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London school holidays in 2026

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School holidays 2026 highlights

Make the most of the school holidays in London with family-friendly attractions, fun activities and unforgettable experiences across the capital.
Save up to 50% on attractions

Go City Explorer Pass

Save up to 50% off regular entrance fees to more than 90 London attractions and sightseeing tours.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Experience Harry Potter's magical world with the iconic London studio tour.
Special offer

Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

See London's biggest landmarks on a scenic open-top bus tour.
Top seller

The Lion King

Catch the award-winning West End musical at the Lyceum Theatre.

Plan ahead for the 2026 school holidays in London with key term dates, half-term breaks and expert guides to family-friendly events, attractions and seasonal things to do across the capital.

London school holiday dates 2026/27

Please note that holiday dates may vary between schools across the UK. 

Last published 27 May 2026

Things to do during the London school holidays

Discover top things to do during the London school holidays, including family-friendly attractions, shows, activities and family experiences across the capital.
A young boy holds up the jaw bone of a shark.

Things to do with kids

Explore museums, famous attractions, family-friendly restaurants and more.
A family works on an activity together at Discover Children’s Story Centre in London.

Kid-friendly attractions

Make memories together as you tick off the city’s top kid-friendly attractions.
A group of school kids are surrounding one of their classmates seating on a chair during the show Matilda The Musical.

Kids theatre in London

See a show for the whole family and enjoy exciting stories.

School summer holidays 2026

Plan your summer break with our hot tips for sizzling family fun.

Top family attractions to book during the 2026 school holidays

Keep the kids entertained during the 2026 school holidays with immersive experiences, famous London attractions and fun family days out across the capital.
Two people sit at a table on a bus with pastries, cakes, finger sandwiches and hot chocolates.

Taylor Swift-inspired Afternoon Tea Bus

Feast on sweet and savoury treats while passing some of London’s most famous landmarks.

From £49.00

London Eye

Ride the famous London Eye, taking in 360-degree views of the city and its top landmarks.

From £39.00
Paddington bear in a blue coat and red hat, running holding a brown suitcase with bunting behind him

The Paddington Bear Experience

Meet Paddington and the Browns at this immersive family experience.

From £34.00
Group of people posing within an illusion that looks like they're hanging upside down in a London tube station.

Paradox Museum London

Explore 25 themed rooms, where you can flip upside down, defy gravity and lose yourself in a thrilling adventure.

From £27.00
Kids go free

London Transport Museum

Discover the story of London's transport past and present.

From £27.00
Two children pose with a wax figure of Yoda at Madame Tussauds London.

Madame Tussauds

Explore the world-famous wax museum and immerse yourself into the world of superstars.

From £27.00

Explore by category

Seasonal events and activities during the London school holidays

Discover seasonal events and activities happening across London during the school holidays, from open-air entertainment and family tours to seasonal activities and limited-time attractions.

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
An itinerary essential

Buckingham Palace Summer Opening

Thames Rockets
New for 2026

Electric Routemaster bus tour

Things to do during half-term in London

Explore family-friendly events, outdoor activities, cultural highlights and free events taking place across London during the February, May and October half-term breaks.

February half-term in London

May half-term in London

October half-term London

Things to do by age group

Find the best things to do in London for every age group during the school holidays, from toddler-friendly attractions and interactive family experiences for all ages, to exciting activities and immersive adventures for teenagers.
Adult and young child looking at colourful object displays in a gallery at Young V&A, Bethnal Green.

Things to do with toddlers
Two young children looking out at of the London Eye with the Houses of Parliament in the backdrop.

Things to do in London with kids
A skateboarder does a trick in the skate park in South Bank London.

London for teenagers

Rainy day indoor activities

Keep the kids entertained on rainy days with indoor attractions, immersive experiences, interactive museums and family-friendly activities across London during the school holidays.
Two children standing in illusion room with multiple reflections of themselves surrounding them.

Twist Museum

From £26.00
Edie McCaig plays Matilda, a girl in a school uniform sitting on a chair in the centre of the stage, while other students run towards her from backstage.

Matilda the Musical

From £25.00
A large projection of a swimming T-Rex at Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs at Lightroom

Prehistoric Planet at Lightroom

From £25.00

Monopoly Lifesized

From £58.80
A man and his daughter admire the starfish in one of the tanks at the SEA LIFE London aquarium.

SEA LIFE London aquarium

From £28.00
With Donkey looking on from the window, a chef cooks around a bubbling cauldron with the help of children.

Shrek's Adventure! London

From £21.00

London school holidays in 2026 FAQs

What are the London school holiday dates for 2026?

In London, the school year runs from September to July, with various half-terms and breaks throughout the academic year. Dates can vary across London, depending on the type of school or the area, so always double-check the school and the local council websites for specific dates. The remaining dates for the 2025/26 academic year are: May half-term (25–29 May 2026) and summer school holiday (21 July–1 September 2026)

How many school holidays are there in London?

There are six school holidays in total during each academic year in London. This includes three main holidays including the Easter break (30 March to 10 April 2026), summer holidays (21 July to 1 September 2026) and Christmas holidays (21 December 2026 to 4 January 2027). Plus, there are half-term breaks May (25 to 29 May 2026), October (26 to 30 October 2026) and February (15 to 19 February 2027).

Is London busy during the school holidays?

London tends to be busier during school holidays, with the summer holidays being the busiest period. Top attractions such as the London Eye, Tower of London and Buckingham Palace host exciting seasonal, family-friendly events. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to visit landmarks early in the morning or late in the afternoon before the last entry. Find inspiration for things to do each month in London and events happening this weekend. Be sure to download the Visit London app for on-the-go inspiration. 

Do all schools in the UK have the same holiday dates?

While schools generally follow similar dates for half-terms and holidays, school holiday dates can vary across the UK and even within specific towns or cities. It is always best to double-check the local council's website, which publishes term dates in advance, as well as with the school itself. School holiday dates also vary depending on the type of school, for example, a state school versus a private school or a faith school.

What are the best things to do during the London school holidays?

Make the most of the warmer weather during May half-term and summer holidays with outdoor activities, from picnics in London's parks to outdoor playgrounds and theme parks full of fun rides. During October and February half-terms, visit London's top attractions – pick up a sightseeing pass to save on multiple attractions. Over Christmas, enjoy festive activities, from ice skating and Christmas lights to Santa's grottos and festive family shows.

Which London attractions should families book in advance during the school holidays?

London's top family attractions can be particularly busy during school holidays, so make sure to book ahead to avoid missing out on iconic spots and family favourites.

We suggest booking attraction tickets in advance to ensure entry. In particular, tickets for Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter often sell out well in advance, especially during activations during the school holidays, such as Hogwarts in the Snow at Christmas.

Are there free things to do with kids in London during the school holidays?

There are countless free things to do in London for families at all times of the year, especially during school holidays. Many of London's free-to-enter museums and galleries put on special activities and workshops over the school holidays, while the Royal Parks hosts free nature-themed workshops and activities across its various parks.