Bank Holidays 2026: Official UK Dates from Gov.uk
Planning ahead for 2026? The UK bank holidays offer welcome breaks throughout the year, and knowing the dates early helps with holidays, events, and travel. This guide provides the official projected bank holidays for 2026, based on announcements from gov.uk. These are set well in advance, but always check gov.uk for the latest confirmations, as dates can shift slightly due to legislation or royal proclamations.
Bank holidays in the UK aren’t uniform across all nations. England and Wales share most dates, Northern Ireland aligns closely, while Scotland has some unique observances. We’ll break it down by region, highlight long weekends, and cover substitute days for Christmas and Boxing Day.
Given we’re looking at 2026 from an April 2026 perspective, Easter holidays are particularly relevant now – a great time to book family getaways around Good Friday and Easter Monday.
England and Wales Bank Holidays 2026
England and Wales have eight bank holidays in 2026. Here’s the full list:
- 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 (with substitute on Monday, 28 December)
- Boxing Day: Saturday, 26 December 2026 (substitute on Monday, 28 December, as it falls on a weekend)
Note the Christmas period: With Christmas on a Friday and Boxing Day on Saturday, both get substituted to Monday, 28 December, creating a four-day weekend from Friday to Monday.
Long Weekends in England and Wales
- Easter: Fri 3 Apr (Good Friday) to Mon 6 Apr (Easter Monday) – perfect four-day break.
- May: Mon 4 May and Mon 25 May – two separate three-day weekends.
- August: Mon 31 Aug – ideal for late summer escapes.
- New Year/Christmas: Thu 1 Jan and the extended Dec 28 weekend.
Scotland Bank Holidays 2026
Scotland enjoys nine bank holidays, including unique dates like 2 January and St Andrew’s Day. Local variations may apply in some council areas.
- 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 (substitute Monday, 28 December)
- Boxing Day: Saturday, 26 December 2026 (substitute Monday, 28 December)
Scotland skips Easter Monday as a statutory holiday but observes Good Friday. The early August summer holiday gives a head start on the long weekend compared to England.
Scottish Long Weekends
- New Year: Thu 1 Jan to Fri 2 Jan – extended break into the weekend.
- Easter: Just Good Friday, but pair with annual leave.
- Christmas: Massive four-day weekend ending 28 Dec.
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2026
Northern Ireland mirrors England and Wales closely, with eight dates:
- 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 (substitute Monday, 28 December)
- Boxing Day: Saturday, 26 December 2026 (substitute Monday, 28 December)
The Battle of the Boyne (12 July) is an additional public holiday but not a bank holiday, so businesses may vary.
How Substitute Bank Holidays Work
Under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, if Christmas Day (25 Dec) or Boxing Day (26 Dec) falls on a Saturday or Sunday, substitutes are moved to the next Monday or Tuesday. In 2026:
- 25 Dec (Fri): Observed as is.
- 26 Dec (Sat): Moves to Mon 28 Dec.
This creates consecutive holidays: Fri 25, Sat 26 (weekend), Mon 28 – a four-day weekend. New Year’s Day on Thursday 1 Jan also extends naturally.
Gov.uk publishes these projections annually; for 2026, they’re aligned with Easter calculations (first Sunday after the first full moon post-21 March).
Planning Tips for Bank Holidays 2026
Travel and Events
Book trains, flights, and hotels early – especially for Easter (3-6 April) and the May double. Expect crowds at popular spots like the Lake District, Cornwall, or Edinburgh Festival fringes. Use the National Rail app for bank holiday timetables, which often run reduced services.
Work and Annual Leave
Strategic booking:
- Book Thu 2 Apr for full Easter week off.
- Fri 1 May or Fri 22 May to extend May weekends to four days.
- Thu 27 Aug for August long weekend.
Scotland: Book Fri 5 Jun or similar around locals.
Services and Closures
Most shops close or have reduced hours. Supermarkets like Tesco open limited on Easter Sunday (varies by store). Post offices shut all bank holidays. Check gov.uk or local council sites. Bin collections often shift – confirm with your authority.
Bank Holidays Around Easter 2026
With context in April 2026, focus on Easter:
- Good Friday 3 Apr: No school, many off work.
- Easter Sunday 5 Apr: Family time, shops closed in England/Wales.
- Easter Monday 6 Apr: Holiday in Eng/Wales/NI.
Schools break 3-13 Apr typically. Ideal for UK staycations or European trips before summer rush.
Downloadable Calendars and Tools
Visit gov.uk/bank-holidays for ICS downloads to import into Google Calendar, Outlook, or iCal. Third-party sites like timeanddate.com offer visual calendars too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bank holidays paid days off?
Not automatically – depends on your contract. Most full-time roles offer them as paid leave.
Do bank holidays affect pay if I work?
Enhanced rates often apply (time-and-a-half or double). Check ACAS guidelines.
What’s the difference between public holidays and bank holidays?
Bank holidays are specific days when banks close, making them public holidays for most.
Can bank holidays be moved?
Rarely, but possible for royal events (e.g., coronations).
This comprehensive guide ensures you’re prepared for bank holidays 2026. For official updates, head straight to gov.uk/bank-holidays. Happy planning!
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