VAT Rate Reduced for Summer Attractions

Rachel Reeves has announced a temporary cut to VAT on summer attractions from 20% to 5% during school holidays in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This temporary reduction is designed to support families by making family days out more affordable, while also supporting businesses through increased footfall.  

This will apply to ticket prices for adults and children, covering attractions such as fairs, theme parks, zoos and museums, she says. It will include children’s tickets for cinemas, concerts, soft play and the theatre, and it will cut the cost of children’s meals in restaurants and cafes.

The changes will apply across the UK from the start of the Scottish school holidays on the 25th June, and run until the end of school holidays in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on the 1st September.

According to the Treasury, if these businesses pass on the full VAT savings to their customers, then for a family of two adults and two children it would mean:

• £20 off the family’s tickets to a theme park

• £2 off entry to soft play

• £6 off the family’s tickets to a farm attraction

• £17 off the family’s tickets to a wildlife park

• £1.50 off the children’s tickets to the cinema

• £9 off the family’s tickets to the circus

• £2 off the children’s meals on a lunch out

• £11 off the family’s tickets to the aquarium

For more information please visit:

Great British Summer Savings 2026: Family activities VAT relief fact sheet - GOV.UK