UK Bank Holidays 2026 and 2027: Your Essential Guide
Bank holidays are public holidays in the UK when most businesses, schools and public services close, providing a welcome break for workers. They originated from the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, which allowed banks to close on specific days, and have evolved to include Christian festivals and secular occasions. Planning around bank holidays 2026 2027 is crucial for holidays, travel, events and business operations. This guide covers all confirmed dates across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, based on official announcements (verify at gov.uk for updates). With context from April 2026, these dates are set years in advance due to fixed calendar calculations.
Whether you’re booking a staycation, organising a wedding or scheduling payroll, knowing bank holidays 2026 2027 ensures smooth planning. Note regional differences: Scotland has unique dates like 2 January and St Andrew’s Day, while England, Wales and Northern Ireland align closely but diverge on Easter Monday and summer holidays.
Bank Holidays 2026: Complete List by Nation
England and Wales Bank Holidays 2026
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 January 2026
- Good Friday: Friday, 3 April 2026
- Easter Monday: Monday, 6 April 2026
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 4 May 2026
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 25 May 2026
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 31 August 2026
- Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December 2026 (falls on weekday)
- Boxing Day: Saturday, 26 December 2026 (substitute Monday, 28 December 2026)
This totals eight bank holidays, with the Christmas period creating a long weekend from Friday 25 to Monday 28 December.
Scotland Bank Holidays 2026
Scotland enjoys nine or ten holidays, including local variations:
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 January 2026
- 2 January: Friday, 2 January 2026
- Good Friday: Friday, 3 April 2026
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 4 May 2026
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 25 May 2026
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 3 August 2026
- St Andrew’s Day: Monday, 30 November 2026
- Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December 2026
- Boxing Day: Saturday, 26 December 2026 (substitute Monday, 28 December 2026)
Easter Monday is not a statutory holiday in Scotland, though some employers grant it. St Andrew’s Day substitutes to the next Monday if on a weekend.
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2026
Similar to England and Wales, with an extra on 12 July (Battle of the Boyne, not listed here as fixed):
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 January 2026
- Good Friday: Friday, 3 April 2026
- Easter Monday: Monday, 6 April 2026
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 4 May 2026
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 25 May 2026
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 31 August 2026
- Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December 2026
- Boxing Day: Saturday, 26 December 2026 (substitute Monday, 28 December 2026)
Plus Battle of the Boyne on 14 July 2026 (Tuesday).
| Date | England/Wales/NI | Scotland |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day | New Year’s Day |
| 2 Jan | - | 2 January |
| 3 Apr | Good Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 Apr | Easter Monday | - |
| 4 May | Early May | Early May |
| 25 May | Spring | Spring |
| 3 Aug | - | Summer |
| 31 Aug | Summer | - |
| 30 Nov | - | St Andrew’s |
| 25/28 Dec | Christmas/Boxing subs | Christmas/Boxing subs |
Bank Holidays 2027: Complete List by Nation
Dates for 2027 follow the same patterns, with Easter on 26 March (Good Friday) and 29 March (Easter Monday).
England and Wales Bank Holidays 2027
- New Year’s Day: Friday, 1 January 2027
- Good Friday: Friday, 26 March 2027
- Easter Monday: Monday, 29 March 2027
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 3 May 2027
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 31 May 2027
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 30 August 2027
- Christmas Day: Saturday, 25 December 2027 (substitute Monday, 27 December 2027)
- Boxing Day: Sunday, 26 December 2027 (substitute Tuesday, 28 December 2027)
The festive period extends to five days off for many.
Scotland Bank Holidays 2027
- New Year’s Day: Friday, 1 January 2027
- 2 January: Saturday, 2 January 2027 (substitute Monday, 4 January 2027)
- Good Friday: Friday, 26 March 2027
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 3 May 2027
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 31 May 2027
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 2 August 2027
- St Andrew’s Day: Tuesday, 30 November 2027
- Christmas Day: Saturday, 25 December 2027 (substitute Monday, 27 December 2027)
- Boxing Day: Sunday, 26 December 2027 (substitute Tuesday, 28 December 2027)
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2027
Mirrors England/Wales, plus Battle of the Boyne on 12 July 2027 (Monday).
| Date | England/Wales/NI | Scotland |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day | New Year’s Day |
| 4 Jan | - | 2 Jan substitute |
| 26 Mar | Good Friday | Good Friday |
| 29 Mar | Easter Monday | - |
| 3 May | Early May | Early May |
| 31 May | Spring | Spring |
| 2 Aug | - | Summer |
| 30 Aug | Summer | - |
| 30 Nov | - | St Andrew’s |
| 27/28 Dec | Christmas/Boxing subs | Christmas/Boxing subs |
Key Differences Across UK Nations
Scotland stands out with early summer holiday (August 3/2), 2 January and St Andrew’s Day, skipping Easter Monday. England, Wales and Northern Ireland share summer on last August Monday. Substitutes apply when holidays fall on weekends per the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971: next Monday for Saturday/Sunday. Payroll must be paid on time even on holidays, often advanced.
Planning Tips for Bank Holidays 2026 2027
Travel and Holidays
Long weekends like Easter (April 2026), late May and August are peak for UK staycations. Book trains/ferries early via National Rail or DFDS; expect M25 jams. Popular spots: Lake District, Cornwall, Scottish Highlands. For 2026 Christmas, 25 Dec-28 Dec means mega sales in Boxing Day tradition.
Business and Payroll
Check contracts for holiday pay. Shops can open on Easter Sunday but not Good Friday in England/Wales. Use tools like gov.uk holiday calculator. For 2027 New Year, Friday 1 Jan creates four-day weekend with prior days off.
Events and Festivals
Spring Bank Holiday often hosts music fests like Glastonbury (late June, near Spring holiday). Notting Hill Carnival aligns with August bank holiday. In Scotland, Hogmanay around New Year is huge.
How Bank Holiday Dates Are Set
Fixed: Christmas, Boxing, May Day (first Mon), Spring (last Mon May), Summer variations. Movable: Easter via lunar calendar (first Sunday after full moon post-vernal equinox). Gov.uk announces substitutes annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bank holidays paid?
Not automatically; depends on employment contract. Full-time workers get them off, but part-timers may not.
Can employers require work on bank holidays?
Yes, with notice and premium pay often.
Do bank holidays affect Universal Credit?
No payment delays; assessed monthly.
What’s open on bank holidays?
Supermarkets vary; pharmacies and emergency services always. Pubs/food deliveries thrive.
This guide arms you for bank holidays 2026 2027. Bookmark for updates and plan ahead for restful breaks or busy periods. Total words: approx 1050.