UK Bank Holidays 2026

Your complete guide to all bank holidays and public holidays across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland in 2026.

8
England & Wales Holidays
9
Scotland Holidays
10
N. Ireland Holidays
4
Long Weekends

2026 Year at a Glance

Visual calendar showing all bank holidays throughout 2026

Today
Bank Holiday
Weekend

January

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
New Year's Day
2
2nd January
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
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24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

February

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
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2
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4
5
6
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8
9
10
11
12
13
14
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18
19
20
21
22
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24
25
26
27
28

March

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
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Sun
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5
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26
27
28
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31

April

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
2
3
Good Friday
4
5
6
Easter Monday
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
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17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

May

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
2
3
4
Early May Bank Holiday
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Spring Bank Holiday
26
27
28
29
30
31

June

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
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9
10
11
12
13
14
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20
21
22
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25
26
27
28
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30

July

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
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4
5
6
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10
11
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22
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24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

August

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
2
3
Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland)
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Summer Bank Holiday

September

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
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20
21
22
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24
25
26
27
28
29
30

October

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
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3
4
5
6
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10
11
12
13
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29
30
31

November

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
2
3
4
5
6
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9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
St Andrew's Day

December

Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Christmas Day
26
Boxing Day
27
28
Boxing Day (Substitute)
29
30
31

Bank Holidays for All UK

New Year's Day
1 January 2026 (Thursday)
2nd January
2 January 2026 (Friday)
Good Friday
3 April 2026 (Friday)
Easter Monday
6 April 2026 (Monday)
Early May Bank Holiday
4 May 2026 (Monday)
Spring Bank Holiday
25 May 2026 (Monday)
Summer Bank Holiday
31 August 2026 (Monday)
Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland)
3 August 2026 (Monday)
St Andrew's Day
30 November 2026 (Monday)
Christmas Day
25 December 2026 (Friday)
Boxing Day
26 December 2026 (Saturday)
Boxing Day (Substitute)
28 December 2026 (Monday)

2026 Bank Holiday Details

Filter by region to see the bank holidays specific to your location

1Jan

New Year's Day

Thursday, 1 January 2026

All UK

The first day of the year, celebrated across the United Kingdom as a time for new beginnings and fresh starts.

Traditions

Watching fireworks at midnightSinging Auld Lang SyneMaking New Year's resolutions

Planning Tip

Book restaurants early for New Year's Eve dinner

2Jan

2nd January

Friday, 2 January 2026

Scotland

An additional bank holiday observed only in Scotland, allowing for extended New Year celebrations.

Traditions

Extended Hogmanay celebrationsFamily gatheringsTraditional Scottish breakfast

Planning Tip

Perfect opportunity for a long weekend getaway

3Apr

Good Friday

Friday, 3 April 2026

All UK

A Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, observed two days before Easter Sunday.

Traditions

Church servicesEating hot cross bunsFamily gatherings

Planning Tip

Great start to a four-day Easter weekend

6Apr

Easter Monday

Monday, 6 April 2026

England & Wales

The day after Easter Sunday, marking the end of the Easter weekend celebrations across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Traditions

Easter egg huntsFamily picnicsSpring walks in the countryside

Planning Tip

Popular day for day trips - expect busy roads

4May

Early May Bank Holiday

Monday, 4 May 2026

All UK

Originally created to celebrate May Day and the arrival of spring, this bank holiday marks the beginning of better weather.

Traditions

Morris dancingMaypole dancingVillage fairs and festivals

Planning Tip

Great time for garden centre visits

25May

Spring Bank Holiday

Monday, 25 May 2026

All UK

The late May bank holiday, perfect for enjoying the late spring weather and outdoor activities.

Traditions

Chelsea Flower Show seasonOutdoor festivals beginBBQ season kicks off

Planning Tip

Half-term holiday for many schools

31Aug

Summer Bank Holiday

Monday, 31 August 2026

England & Wales

The last bank holiday of summer in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, marking the traditional end of the summer season.

Traditions

Notting Hill CarnivalLast summer beach tripsBack-to-school shopping

Planning Tip

Roads and beaches will be very busy

3Aug

Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland)

Monday, 3 August 2026

Scotland

Scotland's summer bank holiday falls earlier than the rest of the UK, at the beginning of August.

Traditions

Edinburgh Festival Fringe preparationsHighland Games seasonOutdoor activities in the Highlands

Planning Tip

Edinburgh gets very busy with festival preparations

30Nov

St Andrew's Day

Monday, 30 November 2026

Scotland

Scotland's national day celebrating the patron saint of Scotland, St Andrew.

Traditions

Ceilidh dancingTraditional Scottish musicHaggis dinners

Planning Tip

Many Scottish businesses close or have reduced hours

25Dec

Christmas Day

Friday, 25 December 2026

All UK

The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and the most widely celebrated holiday in the United Kingdom.

Traditions

Christmas dinner with familyOpening presentsWatching the King's Speech

Planning Tip

Almost everything closes - stock up well in advance

26Dec

Boxing Day

Saturday, 26 December 2026

All UK

The day after Christmas, traditionally a day for giving gifts to service workers and the less fortunate.

Traditions

Boxing Day salesFootball matchesPantomimes

Planning Tip

Major retail sales begin - expect crowds

28Dec

Boxing Day (Substitute)

Monday, 28 December 2026

All UK

Since Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, a substitute bank holiday is observed on the following Monday.

Traditions

Extended Christmas celebrationsWinter sales continueFamily visits

Planning Tip

Take advantage of extended holiday period

Why Use Our Bank Holiday 2026 Calendar Tool?

Planning your year effectively requires knowing exactly when bank holidays fall. Our interactive UK Bank Holidays 2026 calendar provides you with accurate, up-to-date information for all four nations of the United Kingdom. Whether you are booking annual leave, planning family gatherings, or scheduling business operations, having this information at your fingertips is invaluable.

The United Kingdom observes different bank holidays across its constituent countries. England and Wales share most bank holidays, while Scotland celebrates additional holidays like the 2nd of January and St Andrew's Day. Northern Ireland also has unique observances. Our tool allows you to filter by region, ensuring you see only the holidays relevant to your location.

With 2026 bringing excellent opportunities for extended breaks, particularly around Easter and Christmas, now is the perfect time to start planning. Use our free interactive calendar above to explore all bank holidays and discover expert tips for maximising your time off throughout the year.

User Guide & Frequently Asked Questions

How to Use This Bank Holiday Calendar

Our interactive bank holiday calendar is designed to help you plan your year with ease. Simply use the region filter buttons above the calendar to display holidays specific to England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. Each holiday card displays the date, day of the week, regional applicability, and helpful planning tips to maximise your time off.

Understanding UK Bank Holidays

Bank holidays in the United Kingdom are public holidays when banks and many businesses close. However, it is important to note that there is no automatic right to paid leave on bank holidays for employees in the UK. Whether you receive bank holidays as additional paid leave depends on your employment contract. Most full-time workers in the UK are entitled to 28 days of statutory paid annual leave, and employers may include bank holidays within this allowance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bank holidays are there in 2026?

England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026, Scotland has 9 (including the 2nd of January and St Andrew's Day), and Northern Ireland also has additional holidays. The exact number varies by region, which is why our filter tool is essential for accurate planning.

When is Easter 2026?

Easter 2026 falls on Sunday, 5th April. Good Friday is on 3rd April and Easter Monday is on 6th April, giving you a four-day weekend. This is an excellent opportunity to combine with annual leave for an extended spring break.

What happens when a bank holiday falls on a weekend in 2026?

When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute weekday becomes a bank holiday, usually the following Monday. In 2026, Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, so Monday 28th December is the substitute bank holiday, giving workers a longer festive break.

For more detailed planning advice and tips on maximising your annual leave, explore our comprehensive blog articles or use our interactive holiday planning tools.

Latest Articles

Expert guides and tips to help you make the most of every bank holiday in 2026

About UK Bank Holidays 2026

Bank Holidays 2026 UK is your comprehensive resource for understanding and planning around the United Kingdom's public holidays. Our platform provides accurate, detailed information about every bank holiday occurring in 2026 across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. We understand that bank holidays vary between the different nations of the UK, which is why we have created region-specific filtering tools to ensure you always have access to the most relevant information for your location.

The concept of bank holidays in the United Kingdom dates back to the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, introduced by Sir John Lubbock. Originally, the act designated four bank holidays in England, Wales, and Ireland, and five in Scotland. Over the years, the list has evolved, with holidays being added, removed, and modified to reflect the changing needs and cultural landscape of British society. Today, bank holidays are governed by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, which allows the government to appoint bank holidays by royal proclamation.

In 2026, the United Kingdom will observe several significant bank holidays, including New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the Early May Bank Holiday, the Spring Bank Holiday, the Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Scotland additionally observes the 2nd of January and St Andrew's Day, while Northern Ireland has its own unique observances. Each of these holidays carries its own traditions, history, and opportunities for celebration and rest.

Whether you are planning a family holiday, scheduling business operations, or simply wanting to make the most of your time off work, our Bank Holidays 2026 UK platform provides all the tools and information you need. From our interactive calendar with regional filtering to our comprehensive blog articles offering expert planning advice, we are committed to helping you navigate the year ahead with confidence. Explore our resources today and start planning your perfect 2026.