Blog · Dates
Everything the 2026 calendar means in practice — dates for each nation, the substitute day in December, which weekends stretch furthest, and what actually closes.
Reviewed for the 2026 holiday year
UK bank holidays 2026 are not a single national list. England and Wales share eight dates, Scotland observes nine and Northern Ireland ten. If you work across nations, or you are planning travel and payments, the differences matter more than the totals.
| Holiday | Date (2026) | Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January 2026 | Thursday | — |
| Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Friday | — |
| Easter Monday | 6 April 2026 | Monday | — |
| Early May bank holiday | 4 May 2026 | Monday | — |
| Spring bank holiday | 25 May 2026 | Monday | — |
| Summer bank holiday | 31 August 2026 | Monday | — |
| Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Friday | — |
| Boxing Day (substitute day) | 28 December 2026 | Monday | 26 December falls on a Saturday, so the holiday moves to Monday 28 December. |
Scotland gains 2nd January and St Andrew's Day, moves the summer holiday to early August, and does not observe Easter Monday.
| Holiday | Date (2026) | Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January 2026 | Thursday | — |
| 2nd January | 2 January 2026 | Friday | — |
| Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Friday | — |
| Early May bank holiday | 4 May 2026 | Monday | — |
| Spring bank holiday | 25 May 2026 | Monday | — |
| Summer bank holiday | 3 August 2026 | Monday | Scotland's summer bank holiday falls in early August, not late August. |
| St Andrew's Day | 30 November 2026 | Monday | — |
| Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Friday | — |
| Boxing Day (substitute day) | 28 December 2026 | Monday | 26 December falls on a Saturday, so the holiday moves to Monday 28 December. |
| Holiday | Date (2026) | Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January 2026 | Thursday | — |
| St Patrick's Day | 17 March 2026 | Tuesday | — |
| Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Friday | — |
| Easter Monday | 6 April 2026 | Monday | — |
| Early May bank holiday | 4 May 2026 | Monday | — |
| Spring bank holiday | 25 May 2026 | Monday | — |
| Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day, substitute day) | 13 July 2026 | Monday | 12 July falls on a Sunday, so the holiday moves to Monday 13 July. |
| Summer bank holiday | 31 August 2026 | Monday | — |
| Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Friday | — |
| Boxing Day (substitute day) | 28 December 2026 | Monday | 26 December falls on a Saturday, so the holiday moves to Monday 28 December. |
Check before you commit
UK BANK HOLIDAY RESOURCE CENTRE
Find useful guides covering the UK bank holiday calendar, national differences, annual leave planning, bank opening hours and public holiday arrangements.
Understanding UK bank holidays is easier when you can compare official dates and plan ahead. Whether you are organising your 2026 calendar, checking differences between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, or preparing for bank closures, these detailed guides provide practical information for employees, families, travellers and businesses.
Explore the UK bank holidays in 2026, including New Year's Day, Easter holidays, May bank holidays, summer holidays and Christmas substitute days. Find useful information about holiday dates across the four UK nations.
Read UK Bank Holidays 2026 →Review the main 2026 UK bank holiday calendar and find key public holiday dates for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Use this guide to identify upcoming holidays and organise your work or travel schedule.
View 2026 Holiday Dates →Discover how bank holidays differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Compare St Andrew's Day, St Patrick's Day, the Battle of the Boyne holiday and different summer bank holiday dates.
Compare UK Bank Holidays →Browse bank holiday calendars by year to compare public holiday dates, Easter weekends, May holidays and Christmas arrangements. This resource helps with long-term annual leave planning and checking previous holiday dates.
Explore Holidays by Year →Learn how to combine annual leave with UK bank holidays to create longer breaks. Explore Easter holiday opportunities, May long weekends, summer breaks and Christmas planning strategies to make better use of your holiday allowance.
Read Annual Leave Planning Guide →Find out how UK bank holidays affect high street bank branches, online banking, Direct Debits, bank transfers and payment processing. Learn what services may remain available and when to arrange important transactions.
Check Bank Opening Hours →UK holiday planning tip: Bank holiday dates and arrangements can vary between the four UK nations. Always check the calendar for your location and confirm employment leave arrangements, travel schedules and bank opening hours before making plans.
England and Wales have 8, Scotland has 9 and Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays in 2026.
Easter, with Good Friday on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April, gives a four-day weekend in England, Wales and Northern Ireland without using any annual leave.
Yes. Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December 2026, so the substitute bank holiday is Monday 28 December 2026 across the UK.
The dates listed here follow the published 2026 calendars. Governments can announce additional one-off holidays, so it is worth rechecking official listings before booking travel.