Planning ahead for 2026? Bank holidays provide welcome breaks throughout the year, offering opportunities for rest, travel, or local events. In the UK, these public holidays vary slightly by nation, with Scotland (often abbreviated as SA in some contexts) having unique dates. This guide details all 2026 bank holidays, aligned with official references, helping you organise your calendar from early 2026 onwards. Whether you’re in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Scotland, understanding these dates ensures you make the most of long weekends and avoid scheduling conflicts.
We’ll break down the holidays by region, provide a month-by-month calendar, explain substitute days, and share practical tips. Note that while most are statutory across the UK, some are England/Wales/Northern Ireland-specific, and Scotland has additions like 2 January and St Andrew’s Day.
Bank Holidays in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 2026
These nations share the same core bank holidays, creating consistent long weekends for most workers.
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 January 2026. Kick off the year with a mid-week holiday.
- Good Friday: Friday, 3 April 2026. Part of the Easter weekend.
- Easter Monday: Monday, 6 April 2026. Extends the Easter break to four days.
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 4 May 2026. Ideal for spring outings.
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 25 May 2026. Marks late spring with sunshine potential.
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 31 August 2026. End-of-summer festivities.
- Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December 2026.
- Boxing Day: Saturday, 26 December 2026 (substitute on Monday, 28 December 2026).
That’s eight bank holidays, plus the Boxing Day substitute, making for generous time off around Christmas.
Bank Holidays in Scotland 2026
Scotland enjoys extra holidays, including 2 January and St Andrew’s Day, plus a different summer bank holiday. Easter Monday is not a statutory holiday here.
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 January 2026.
- 2 January: Friday, 2 January 2026. Unique to Scotland, creating a four-day New Year weekend.
- 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 (earlier than England/Wales/NI).
- St Andrew’s Day: Monday, 30 November 2026.
- Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December 2026.
- Boxing Day: Saturday, 26 December 2026 (substitute on Monday, 28 December 2026).
Scots get nine bank holidays plus the substitute, emphasising Hogmanay celebrations and national patron saint recognition.
Full Month-by-Month Calendar of UK Bank Holidays 2026
Here’s a chronological overview to spot long weekends easily:
January 2026
- 1 Jan (Thu): New Year’s Day (all UK).
- 2 Jan (Fri): Scotland only.
New Year spans Thursday-Friday (all) or to Monday for many with annual leave.
April 2026
- 3 Apr (Fri): Good Friday (all UK).
- 6 Apr (Mon): Easter Monday (England, Wales, NI).
Easter offers a four-day weekend from Good Friday to Easter Monday in England/Wales/NI; Scotland gets Good Friday plus weekend.
May 2026
- 4 May (Mon): Early May (all UK).
- 25 May (Mon): Spring Bank Holiday (all UK).
Two bank holidays in May create perfect spring break opportunities.
August 2026
- 3 Aug (Mon): Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland).
- 31 Aug (Mon): Summer Bank Holiday (England, Wales, NI).
Staggered dates allow cross-border travel flexibility.
November 2026
- 30 Nov (Mon): St Andrew’s Day (Scotland).
A mid-winter treat for Scots.
December 2026
- 25 Dec (Fri): Christmas Day (all UK).
- 26 Dec (Sat): Boxing Day (substitute Mon 28 Dec, all UK).
Friday Christmas leads to a four-day weekend (Fri-Mon) with the substitute.
Understanding Substitute Bank Holidays
When Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, substitutes shift to the next weekday. In 2026:
- Christmas Day: Friday 25 December – no substitute needed.
- Boxing Day: Saturday 26 December – substitute Monday 28 December.
This applies across the UK, ensuring equivalent time off. Local authorities may add extras, but these are the statutory ones. Always check gov.uk for updates, as dates are projected based on current patterns.
Long Weekends and Planning Tips for 2026
Bank holidays create extended breaks:
- New Year: Thu 1 Jan (all) + Fri 2 Jan (Scotland) = 4 days.
- Easter: Fri 3 Apr to Mon 6 Apr (England/Wales/NI) = 4 days.
- Early May: Fri 1 May to Mon 4 May = 3 days.
- Spring: Sat 23 May to Mon 25 May = 3 days.
- Scottish Summer: Fri 31 Jul to Mon 3 Aug = 3 days.
- English Summer: Fri 28 Aug to Mon 31 Aug = 3 days.
- St Andrew’s: Fri 27 Nov to Mon 30 Nov (Scotland) = 3 days.
- Christmas: Fri 25 Dec to Mon 28 Dec = 4 days.
Travel Tips: Book trains/ferries early for popular spots like the Lake District, Edinburgh Fringe (nearby timing), or Cornish beaches. Expect crowds on motorways.
Events: Look for festivals – e.g., May Day fairs, August Notting Hill Carnival (near 31 Aug), Hogmanay in Scotland.
Work & Business: Many close; plan deliveries around dates. Self-employed? Use for projects.
School Holidays: Align with half-terms; Easter hols typically 3-20 April, summer 24 Jul-1 Sep (varies).
From April 2026 perspective, Easter is imminent – perfect timing to note these for the year ahead.
Regional Differences and What They Mean
The UK’s devolved structure means variations:
| Holiday | England/Wales/NI | Scotland |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Yes (1 Jan) | Yes (1 Jan) |
| 2 January | No | Yes |
| Easter Monday | Yes | No |
| Summer BH | 31 Aug | 3 Aug |
| St Andrew’s | No | Yes (30 Nov) |
This affects cross-border families or businesses. For instance, Scottish firms might close 2 January while English colleagues work.
FAQs About SA Bank Holidays 2026
Are bank holidays paid?
Most full-time employees get paid time off or lieus, per contract. Check your terms.
Do banks close?
Yes, hence ‘bank holiday’ – but supermarkets often open reduced hours.
Any changes expected?
Dates are fixed by tradition/law; verify gov.uk closer to time.
International comparisons?
UK has ~8-10 vs fewer elsewhere; great for work-life balance.
This comprehensive guide equips you for 2026’s SA bank holidays across the UK. Print or save for your diary – happy planning!
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