Introduction to the 2026 UK Calendar
Planning your year in advance is essential for work, travel, and family events. The 2026 UK calendar features ten bank holidays across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, with some regional variations. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of all UK bank holidays in 2026, presented in a clear, month-by-month format. Whether you’re organising a holiday, scheduling meetings, or simply curious, you’ll find everything here.
Bank holidays are public holidays when most businesses close, and employees get paid time off if contracted. Dates are set by the UK government and St Andrew’s Day Act for Scotland. Note that Good Friday and Christmas Day are common law holidays, while others are statutory. We’ve aligned this with official sources like gov.uk for accuracy.
Full List of UK Bank Holidays 2026
Here’s a quick reference table of all 2026 bank holidays. Differences by nation are highlighted.
| Date | Holiday | England, Wales, NI | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan (Thu) | New Year’s Day | Yes | Yes |
| 2 Jan (Fri) | 2 January | No | Yes |
| 3 Apr (Fri) | Good Friday | Yes | Yes |
| 6 Apr (Mon) | Easter Monday | Yes | No |
| 4 May (Mon) | Early May | Yes | Yes |
| 25 May (Mon) | Spring | Yes | Yes |
| 3 Aug (Mon) | Summer | No | Yes |
| 31 Aug (Mon) | Summer | Yes | No |
| 30 Nov (Mon) | St Andrew’s Day | No | Yes |
| 25 Dec (Fri) | Christmas Day | Yes | Yes |
| 26 Dec (Sat) | Boxing Day | Yes (sub: 28 Dec Mon) | Yes (sub: 28 Dec Mon) |
| 28 Dec (Mon) | Substitute Day | Yes | Yes |
This totals up to 10 days for most regions, with Scotland having the same number due to unique dates.
England and Wales Bank Holidays 2026
England and Wales share most dates:
- 1 January: New Year’s Day (Thursday) – Kick off the year with celebrations.
- 3 April: Good Friday – Traditional Christian observance.
- 6 April: Easter Monday – Family gatherings common.
- 4 May: Early May bank holiday – Often for local events.
- 25 May: Spring bank holiday – Ideal for outdoor activities.
- 31 August: Summer bank holiday – End-of-summer barbecues.
- 25 December: Christmas Day (Friday).
- 26 December: Boxing Day (Saturday), substituted to 28 December (Monday).
These eight days provide ample long weekends, especially with the Christmas period spanning Friday to Monday.
Scotland Bank Holidays 2026
Scotland has distinct holidays:
- 1 January: New Year’s Day (Thursday).
- 2 January: Additional holiday (Friday) – Hogmanay extension.
- 3 April: Good Friday.
- 4 May: Early May.
- 25 May: Spring.
- 3 August: Summer bank holiday – Earlier than elsewhere.
- 30 November: St Andrew’s Day (Monday) – National day.
- 25 December: Christmas Day.
- 26 December: Boxing Day, substituted to 28 December.
No Easter Monday, but the extra days balance it out. Scottish councils can adjust local dates slightly.
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2026
Northern Ireland aligns with England and Wales, including Easter Monday. The Battle of the Boyne (12 July) isn’t listed here as it’s not confirmed for 2026 impact, but check locally.
Month-by-Month 2026 Calendar with Bank Holidays
January 2026
New Year starts strong: 1st (Thu) and Scotland’s 2nd (Fri). Perfect three-day weekend for England/Wales/Scotland. Plan resolutions or short trips.
February 2026
No bank holidays. Focus on half-term (typically mid-Feb) for school calendars.
March 2026
Quiet month. Prepare for Easter.
April 2026
3 April (Fri): Good Friday (all UK). 6 April (Mon): Easter Monday (E/W/NI). Four-day Easter weekend – travel peaks, book early.
May 2026
4 May (Mon): Early May (all). 25 May (Mon): Spring (all). Two holidays close together; great for bank holiday getaways.
June 2026
No holidays. Summer events ramp up.
July 2026
Holiday-free. Enjoy festivals.
August 2026
3 August (Mon, Scotland only). 31 August (Mon, E/W/NI). Regional splits mean staggered breaks.
September 2026
Back to routine post-summer.
October 2026
No bank holidays. Half-term around late October.
November 2026
30 November (Mon, Scotland): St Andrew’s. Burns Night prep begins.
December 2026
Festive finale: 25 Dec (Fri), 26 Dec (Sat sub 28 Mon). Extended break from Fri 25 to Mon 28 – ideal for Christmas markets and family time.
Regional Differences and Planning Tips
Key variances:
- Scotland skips Easter Monday but gains 2 Jan and earlier Summer holiday.
- August splits: Scotland 3rd, others 31st.
- St Andrew’s exclusive to Scotland.
Travel Tips: Bank holidays see congested roads (M25, A1) and trains. Use National Rail for live updates. Airports like Heathrow peak at Easter/Christmas.
Business Planning: If self-employed, note most close; plan around substitutes (e.g., 28 Dec).
School Holidays: Align with bank holidays but extend (Easter ~2 weeks, Summer ~6 weeks). Check gov.uk/school-holidays.
Printable Calendar: Copy this into Google Calendar or print monthly grids. Mark holidays in bold:
Example April grid:
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3(GF) 4
5 6(EM) 7 8 9 10 11
...History of UK Bank Holidays
Originating from 1871 Bank Holidays Act, expanded over time. St Andrew’s added 2007. Substitutes ensure no lost days if holidays fall on weekends (e.g., Boxing Day 2026). They promote rest, community, and tradition – from Christian roots to secular summer breaks.
How Bank Holidays Affect Daily Life
- Paid Leave: Statutory for full-time workers.
- Shops: Many open reduced hours; supermarkets often full.
- Events: Notting Hill Carnival (Aug), Highland Games (Scotland).
FAQs
Are bank holidays paid? Yes, if in your contract.
Can employers require work? Possible with premium pay.
Scotland vs England? See table above.
Downloadable? Search ‘2026 UK calendar PDF’ on gov.uk.
This guide equips you for 2026. Total words: ~1050. Stay updated via gov.uk/working-arrangements-bank-holidays.
Further Resources
- Gov.uk bank holidays page.
- Timeanddate.com for lunar dates.
- BBC calendar tools.
Plan wisely for a brilliant 2026!