UK Bank Holidays 2026
Wondering when the UK bank holidays 2026 fall and how you can make the most of your days off? With different dates across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, choosing the wrong calendar could lead to confusion when planning trips, family activities or annual leave. The good news is that a little planning can help you avoid these mistakes and make the most of long weekends. In this guide, you’ll find the complete 2026 bank holiday dates for each UK nation, important regional differences, and practical tips for planning your time off.
UK Bank Holidays 2026: Dates by Nation
Bank holidays are not identical across England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Employers and businesses may follow different opening arrangements, so check locally before making plans.
Bank Holidays in England and Wales 2026
| Date | Bank holiday | Day |
| 1 January | New Year’s Day | Thursday |
| 3 April | Good Friday | Friday |
| 6 April | Easter Monday | Monday |
| 4 May | Early May Bank Holiday | Monday |
| 25 May | Spring Bank Holiday | Monday |
| 31 August | Summer Bank Holiday | Monday |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | Friday |
| 28 December | Boxing Day substitute day | Monday |
Scotland Bank Holidays 2026
Scotland follows a different calendar from England and Wales. Its dates include the 2 January holiday and St Andrew’s Day. Scotland also observed a special bank holiday on 15 June 2026.
| Date | Bank holiday | Day |
| 1 January | New Year’s Day | Thursday |
| 2 January | 2nd January Holiday | Friday |
| 3 April | Good Friday | Friday |
| 4 May | Early May Bank Holiday | Monday |
| 25 May | Spring Bank Holiday | Monday |
| 15 June | Special World Cup bank holiday | Monday |
| 3 August | Summer Bank Holiday | Monday |
| 30 November | St Andrew’s Day | Monday |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | Friday |
| 28 December | Boxing Day substitute day | Monday |
Bank Holidays in Northern Ireland 2026
| Date | Bank holiday | Day |
| 1 January | New Year’s Day | Thursday |
| 17 March | St Patrick’s Day | Tuesday |
| 3 April | Good Friday | Friday |
| 6 April | Easter Monday | Monday |
| 4 May | Early May Bank Holiday | Monday |
| 25 May | Spring Bank Holiday | Monday |
| 13 July | Battle of the Boyne substitute holiday | Monday |
| 31 August | Summer Bank Holiday | Monday |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | Friday |
| 28 December | Boxing Day substitute day | Monday |
How Bank Holidays Differ Across the UK in 2026
The number and timing of bank holidays vary by nation:
- England and Wales have eight bank holidays in 2026.
- Scotland has ten dates in the calendar shown here, including the special holiday on 15 June.
- Northern Ireland has ten bank holidays, including St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne substitute holiday.
Local public holidays may also apply in some Scottish council areas. Businesses should check the dates relevant to their location when planning staffing, deliveries and customer services.
Key Facts About UK Bank Holidays in 2026
Here is what to know about UK bank holidays 2026 before planning your remaining time off.
- A bank holiday does not automatically mean every workplace, school, shop or service closes. Opening hours and school term dates vary.
- When a bank holiday falls at a weekend, a substitute weekday is usually observed instead. Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December 2026, with the substitute holiday on Monday 28 December.
- Special bank holidays may be announced for particular national events.
- Employees are not automatically entitled to extra paid leave on a bank holiday. Entitlement depends on their employment terms.
- Bank holidays can affect payment processing, so check with the relevant provider if a payment is due around a holiday.
- British Summer Time begins on Sunday 29 March 2026 and ends on Sunday 25 October 2026.
Are There Any Additional Bank Holidays in 2026?
Scotland observed a special bank holiday on Monday 15 June 2026 to mark the men’s national team playing in the FIFA World Cup. It was a Scotland-specific holiday rather than a UK-wide date. Special bank holidays are not added automatically every year; they may be announced for particular events.
Diwali is celebrated by many people in the UK, but it is not a UK-wide bank holiday.
When Is Easter Holiday 2026?
- Good Friday: Friday 3 April
- Easter Sunday: Sunday 5 April
- Easter Monday: Monday 6 April
How Can You Extend Your Easter Break?
Option 1: If you are normally off at weekends and receive the relevant bank holidays off, the Easter period gives you four consecutive days away from work, from Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April.
Option 2: Take annual leave from Tuesday 7 April to Friday 10 April. Combined with the Easter weekend and the following weekend, this gives ten consecutive days away from work, from Friday 3 April to Sunday 12 April.
- Annual leave required: 4 days
- Total consecutive days away: 10
- Dates: 3–12 April 2026
Places to Explore at Easter
For an Easter day trip, consider a historic house, castle, garden or family attraction near you. Check opening times and ticket availability before travelling, as seasonal schedules can vary.
When Is the Early May Bank Holiday 2026?
The Early May Bank Holiday falls on Monday 4 May. Taking Friday 1 May as annual leave can create a four-day break from Friday 1 May to Monday 4 May, assuming weekends are non-working days.
Places to Visit Around the May Bank Holiday
A nearby coastal town, country park, garden, historic site or museum can make a good spring day trip. Attractions may be busier over the long weekend, so check opening times before setting off.
When Is the Spring Bank Holiday 2026?
The Spring Bank Holiday, also called the Late May Bank Holiday, falls on Monday 25 May 2026.
How to Extend Your Spring Bank Holiday
Option 1: Take Friday 22 May as annual leave for four consecutive days away from work, from 22 to 25 May. This uses one annual leave day.
Option 2: Take four annual leave days from Tuesday 26 May to Friday 29 May. Combined with the preceding weekend and the bank holiday, this gives nine consecutive days away, from 23 to 31 May.
Major Events That Are Not Bank Holidays
These events take place in 2026 but are not UK-wide bank holidays:
- Mother’s Day — Sunday 15 March 2026
- Eid al-Fitr — expected around 20 March 2026; the date can vary with the sighting of the moon
- Father’s Day — Sunday 21 June 2026
- Halloween — Saturday 31 October 2026
- Guy Fawkes Night — Thursday 5 November 2026
- Black Friday — Friday 27 November 2026
These occasions may affect shopping, travel and local activities, but they are not substitutes for official bank holidays.
Places to Explore in May
Popular spring destinations include coastal areas, national parks, gardens, historic towns and countryside regions across the UK. Plan transport and accommodation early if you intend to travel over a bank holiday weekend.
When Is the Summer Bank Holiday 2026?
The date varies by nation:
- England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Monday 31 August 2026
- Scotland: Monday 3 August 2026
How to Extend Your Summer Break
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, taking Friday 28 August as annual leave can create a four-day break from 28 to 31 August.
For a longer break, taking four annual leave days from Tuesday 1 September to Friday 4 September can give nine consecutive days away, from 29 August to 6 September. These examples assume weekends are non-working days and the bank holiday is a day off for you.
When Are the Christmas Holidays in 2026?
- Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 2026
- Boxing Day: Saturday 26 December 2026, with the substitute bank holiday on Monday 28 December
Tips for Getting a Longer Christmas Break
You may be able to create a ten-day break by taking annual leave on Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 December. Combine these days with Christmas Day, the Boxing Day substitute holiday, weekends and New Year’s Day on Friday 1 January 2027.
- Annual leave required: 3 days
- Total consecutive days away: 10
- Dates: 25 December 2026–3 January 2027
This plan assumes weekends are non-working days, the relevant bank holidays are days off, and the requested leave is approved.
How to Plan Around the Remaining 2026 Bank Holidays
As the year moves into its final months, focus on the dates still ahead. Scotland observes St Andrew’s Day on Monday 30 November. Across the UK, Christmas Day is Friday 25 December and the Boxing Day substitute bank holiday is Monday 28 December.
- Check your nation’s calendar because dates differ across the UK.
- Confirm whether bank holidays are included in your annual-leave allowance and whether you are scheduled to work.
- Compare transport timetables and accommodation availability before booking, especially over Christmas.
- Check local council holidays where relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions :
Final Thoughts :
Planning around UK bank holidays 2026 can help you make the most of your time off and organise trips without unnecessary stress. Check the bank holiday dates for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, as regional holidays may differ. With Christmas Day on Friday 25 December and the Boxing Day substitute holiday on Monday 28 December, you may be able to plan a short festive break. Before booking, confirm the dates that apply to you and review your employer’s annual-leave policy, as a bank holiday does not automatically guarantee paid time off.