School holidays

School Holiday Events in Scotland

Everything to book during the Scottish school holidays — kids' workshops, family shows, holiday clubs and days out, updated for every break.

Scottish school holidays follow a different rhythm to the rest of the UK. October week (mid-October), the two-week Christmas break, February mid-term, the two-week Easter break and a six-and-a-half-week summer holiday from late June to mid-August all trigger dedicated family programming at museums, castles, wildlife parks and community venues.

This page gathers every school-holiday-tagged event on Nearby Events, plus context on what to expect during each break. Book early — the strongest workshops sell out in the first week of ticket release.

What's on

Browse all events

No school holiday events currently listed. Check back closer to the next Scottish school holiday.

Scottish school holidays at a glance

October week (usually week two of October): the country's biggest autumn family break. Museums run Halloween-themed workshops, castles host ghost tours and every wildlife park runs pumpkin trails. Christmas break: mid-December to early January, dominated by markets, light trails and pantomime. February mid-term: quieter, mostly indoor programming. Easter: two weeks around Easter Sunday, with egg hunts, farm events and family theatre. Summer: late June to mid-August, six-plus weeks of workshops, outdoor programmes and touring shows.

Booking tips for parents

The most popular workshops (Glasgow Science Centre, Dynamic Earth, National Museum of Scotland, V&A Dundee) release tickets 4–8 weeks before the holiday and sell out fast. Free drop-in sessions at libraries, parks and community centres rarely sell out and are worth building a day around. Wildlife parks and castles offer holiday season passes that pay off with two or more visits.

Explore by city

Edinburgh Glasgow Aberdeen Dundee Stirling Inverness

Frequently asked questions

When are the Scottish school holidays?

October week (mid-October), Christmas break (mid-Dec to early Jan), February mid-term (mid-Feb), Easter (two weeks around Easter), summer (late June to mid-August). Exact dates vary by council — check with your local authority.

Are Scottish school holidays different from English?

Yes — Scottish holidays typically fall a week or two earlier than English ones, and summer starts and ends earlier. October week is a Scottish-specific break not shared with most English schools.

How far ahead should I book?

Popular workshops release tickets 4–8 weeks before the holiday. Book in the first week of release for peak availability, especially for Christmas and Easter programming.

Family Events in Scotland Easter Events in Scotland Summer Events in Scotland Halloween Events in Scotland