Christmas opening times

Find out more about what services are available over the Christmas period including bin collections and the opening times of tips, leisure centres and other facilities.

Christmas opening times

Term dates

Autumn 2026

Schools open Tuesday 1 September
Schools close Friday 23 October
Half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October
Schools open Monday 2 November
Schools close Friday 118 December
Christmas holiday Monday 21 December to Friday 1 January

Schools have five extra inset days per year, which the schools themselves choose the dates for. Check your child's school's website for details. 

Schools not run by the city council (such as academies) are free to choose their own term dates, although we encourage all schools to accept the term dates agreed on these pages.