Planning your family’s year around the East Lothian school holidays just got easier. Here at Calendar Times UK, we’ve compiled the official East Lothian term dates for the academic year, as published by East Lothian Council. This guide covers everything from the autumn holiday and October break to the Christmas holidays, February break, Easter holidays, and the start of the summer holidays.
We’ve also included all the crucial staff in-service days so you can plan for those pupil holiday dates. Bookmark this East Lothian school calendar reference to stay ahead of all school closures and school reopening dates!
East Lothian School Holidays 2025-2026 Academic Year
Below is the complete calendar for the upcoming school year. Mark these term dates in your diary to stay organized.
| Term | Start Date | End Date | Key Holidays & In-Service Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Wed 13 Aug 2025 (Pupils) | Fri 19 Dec 2025 | In-service:Â Mon 11 & Tue 12 Aug 2025 Autumn Holiday:Â Fri 12 & Mon 15 Sep 2025 October Break:Â Fri 10 Oct 2025 In-service:Â Mon 20 Oct 2025 |
| Term 2 | Mon 5 Jan 2026 | Thu 2 Apr 2026 | February Break:Â Fri 13 Feb 2026 In-service:Â Mon 23 Feb 2026 Easter Holidays:Â Begin Thu 2 Apr 2026 |
| Term 3 | Tue 21 Apr 2026 | Fri 26 Jun 2026 | May Day:Â Mon 4 May 2026 In-service:Â Mon 18 May 2026 |
Read More: Falkirk Council School Holidays
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East Lothian School Holidays 2026-2027
Here are the term dates for the 2026-2027 academic year at a glance.
| Term | Pupils Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Wednesday, 12 August 2026 | Friday, 18 December 2026 |
| Term 2 | Tuesday, 5 January 2027 | Friday, 2 April 2027 |
| Term 3 | Tuesday, 20 April 2027 | Tuesday, 29 June 2027 |
East Lothian School Holidays 2027-2028
Planning far ahead? While dates are typically confirmed closer to the time, the academic pattern allows for a reliable provisional calendar for 2027-2028.  (Please note: These are projections and should be verified with the council once published.)
| Term | Projected Start Date | Projected End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Mid-August 2027 | Mid-December 2027 |
| Term 2 | Early January 2028 | Late March 2028 |
| Term 3 | Mid-April 2028 | Late June 2028 |
East Lothian Public Holidays and School Closures
It’s important to remember that schools are also closed on national public holidays. These are fixed dates that everyone gets off. For the year, the key dates are:
-
Good Friday 2026:Â Friday, 3 April 2026
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Easter Monday 2026:Â Monday, 6 April 2026
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May Day 2026:Â Monday, 4 May 2026
These local authority holidays are included in the term dates above, so you don’t need to add them separately to your academic calendar.
FAQs
Q1. Are East Lothian school holidays the same every year?
No, the dates shift each year. However, the structure is consistent, with holidays in autumn, October, Christmas, February, Easter, and summer.
Q2. When do children start primary school in East Lothian?
If your child turns 5 between 1 March 2026 and 28 February 2027, they will typically start Primary 1 in August 2026. Always confirm with your catchment school.
Q3. Is there a difference between an in-service day and a holiday?
Yes. In-service days are for teacher training—schools are closed to pupils, but staff are working. Holidays are breaks for the entire school community.
Q4. Where can I find the most official term dates?
The definitive source is always the East Lothian Council website (www.eastlothian.gov.uk) under the “Schools and Learning” section.
Q5. What if my child attends a private school in East Lothian?
Private or independent schools set their own academic calendars. You must check directly with the school for their specific term dates and holiday schedules.
Also Read: Dundee School Holidays
We hope this complete guide to the East Lothian school holidays helps you plan your family adventures, childcare, and well-deserved breaks around the official term dates. Always remember to double-check with your child’s school for any possible local variations.
For the most official source, you can always visit the East Lothian council website directly.
Looking for dates for other regions? Explore our guides for West Lothian School Holidays and East Dunbartonshire School Holidays right here on Calendar Times UK.
