Blog · Dates
UK bank holidays 2026: the complete planning guide
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.
England and Wales: eight dates
| 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: nine dates
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. |
Northern Ireland: ten dates
| 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. |
The three periods worth planning around
- New Year: 1 January is a Thursday, and Scotland's 2nd January makes it a natural four-day break north of the border.
- Easter, 3–6 April: the only guaranteed four-day weekend of the year in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Christmas: Christmas Day on Friday 25 December plus the Monday 28 December substitute leaves a short, congested final working week.
What closes on a 2026 bank holiday
- Bank branches: normally closed; apps, ATMs and card payments continue.
- Bacs, CHAPS and cheque clearing: paused, resuming the next working day.
- Public transport: often a Sunday or amended timetable, with engineering works.
- Post and parcels: no standard deliveries or collections on the day itself.
- Schools and most public offices: closed.
Check before you commit
UK bank holidays 2026: FAQs
How many bank holidays are there in the UK in 2026?
England and Wales have 8, Scotland has 9 and Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays in 2026.
Which 2026 bank holiday creates the longest break?
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.
Is there a substitute bank holiday in December 2026?
Yes. Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December 2026, so the substitute bank holiday is Monday 28 December 2026 across the UK.
Are 2026 bank holiday dates confirmed?
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.