Bank Holidays in March & April 2026 UK Guide

UK Bank Holidays in March and April 2026: Your Complete Guide

Planning ahead for 2026? Bank holidays provide welcome long weekends and opportunities for travel or relaxation. This guide focuses on bank holidays in March and April 2026 across the UK, drawing from official government sources. We’ll cover dates, regional variations, what stays open, and top tips for making the most of these days off.

While there are no bank holidays in March 2026, April brings two key ones tied to Easter. These apply differently across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Always check gov.uk for the latest confirmations, as dates are based on Easter calculations.

Bank Holidays in March 2026

Unfortunately, March 2026 is a quiet month for bank holidays in the UK. There are no national or regional bank holidays scheduled during this time. The calendar skips straight from winter festivities to the Easter period in April.

This means businesses, schools, and public services operate as usual throughout March. If you’re scheduling events, deliveries, or holidays, March offers uninterrupted weekdays. However, keep an eye on local observances or school holidays, which may vary by council.

For context, the nearest bank holiday before March is New Year’s Day on Thursday, 1 January 2026 (all UK), with Scotland also observing 2 January. After March comes the Easter holidays in early April.

Bank Holidays in April 2026

April 2026 features two major bank holidays centred around Easter:

Good Friday: Friday, 3 April 2026 – Observed across all UK nations (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland). This is a traditional Christian holiday marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Easter Monday: Monday, 6 April 2026 – A bank holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland does not observe Easter Monday as a statutory bank holiday, though many schools and some businesses may close.

These dates create a four-day weekend for much of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (Good Friday to Easter Monday). Scotland gets just Good Friday off, with the following Monday being a normal working day.

Easter Sunday itself (5 April 2026) is not a bank holiday but is a public holiday for many, with shops often closed or on restricted hours.

Regional Differences in UK Bank Holidays

Bank holidays aren’t uniform across the UK. Here’s a breakdown for March and April 2026:

Nation	Good Friday (3 Apr)	Easter Monday (6 Apr)
England & Wales	Yes	Yes
Northern Ireland	Yes	Yes
Scotland	Yes	No

Scotland compensates with other holidays like 2 January and Summer Bank Holiday on 3 August. These variations stem from historical and cultural differences, with Scotland following its own calendar under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.

What Closes on Bank Holidays?

Bank holidays mean closures or reduced hours for many services:

Shops and Supermarkets: Large stores like Tesco and Sainsbury’s often close or open late (e.g., 11am-5pm). Check individual store policies.
Banks and Post Offices: Fully closed.
Schools: Easter holidays typically span two weeks around these dates; exact timings vary by local authority.
Public Transport: Trains and buses run reduced timetables. National Rail Enquiries is your best bet for planning.
GPs and Hospitals: Non-emergency services limited; A&E remains open 24/7.
Rubbish Collections: Often postponed to the next working day.

Attractions like museums (e.g., British Museum) may open but with shorter hours. Theme parks such as Alton Towers often have special Easter events.

Planning Travel Around Easter 2026

The Easter weekend is peak travel time. Expect crowded roads, airports, and trains. Here’s how to prepare:

Book Early: Secure trains via Trainline or flights with Ryanair/EasyJet months ahead.
Road Trips: M25 and M6 will be busy. Use AA Route Planner and consider midweek travel to avoid Friday/Sunday rushes.
Staycations: Popular spots like the Lake District, Cornwall, or Cotswolds fill up. Book via Booking.com or Airbnb.
Ferries and Eurotunnel: Dover-Calais routes book out fast for European trips.

Weather in early April can be unpredictable – pack layers! Easter egg hunts and markets are family favourites.

Payroll and Business Impacts

For employers:

Most workers get paid time off, but check contracts.
Easter Monday is not banked in Scotland, so payroll runs normally.
HMRC requires accurate holiday pay calculations. Use tools like Sage or Xero for compliance.

Self-employed? No statutory holiday, but it’s ideal for client meetings as competition eases.

Full UK Bank Holidays 2026 Calendar

For broader planning, here’s the complete list:

New Year’s Day: 1 Jan (Thu, all UK)
2 Jan: Fri (Scotland only)
Good Friday: 3 Apr (Fri, all UK)
Easter Monday: 6 Apr (Mon, Eng/Wales/NI)
Early May: 4 May (Mon, all UK)
Spring: 25 May (Mon, all UK)
Summer (Scotland): 3 Aug (Mon)
Summer (Eng/Wales/NI): 31 Aug (Mon)
St Andrew’s: 30 Nov (Mon, Scotland)
Christmas: 25 Dec (Fri); Boxing Day substitute: 28 Dec (Mon)

No changes expected, but substitutes apply if holidays fall on weekends (e.g., Boxing Day 2026 is Saturday, so Monday 28th).

Fun Ideas for Easter Bank Holidays 2026

Make the most of your time off:

Family Outings: Visit RHS Wisley gardens or Easter fairs in London.
Events: Notting Hill Carnival? No, that’s August – but Easter parades in Brighton or chocolate festivals abound.
Sports: Premier League fixtures may shift; check Sky Sports.
DIY Projects: Tackle home improvements with shops reopening Tuesday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bank holidays paid? Statutory for full-time employees; part-timers pro-rated.

Do trains run on Good Friday? Yes, but check for engineering works.

Scotland Easter Monday? No statutory holiday, but many take it off.

International Visitors? Visa rules unaffected; enjoy the UK vibe!

This guide ensures you’re prepared for a smooth March and April 2026. For updates, visit gov.uk/bank-holidays. Word count: 1028.