England
England has eight bank holidays in 2026. This page lists every date, explains the December substitute day and shows how to turn the calendar into longer breaks.
Reviewed for the 2026 holiday year
| 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. |
The England calendar is identical to the Wales calendar. It opens with New Year's Day on Thursday 1 January 2026, followed by the Easter pair of Good Friday and Easter Monday in early April, two Monday holidays in May, and the late summer bank holiday on Monday 31 August 2026.
Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December 2026 and Boxing Day on Saturday 26 December. As Boxing Day is a weekend day, a substitute bank holiday is given on Monday 28 December 2026, creating a long weekend at the end of the year.
Most high street branches close, while apps, online banking, ATMs and card payments carry on. Bacs and CHAPS payments are not processed, so Direct Debits and salary payments due on a bank holiday usually move to the nearest working day. See our bank opening hours guide for detail.
Check before you travel
ENGLAND HOLIDAY PLANNING GUIDE
Discover England bank holiday dates across three years, compare public holidays, explore long weekends and plan annual leave around Easter, May holidays, summer breaks and Christmas.
England observes eight standard bank holidays each year, including New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the early May and spring bank holidays, the summer bank holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Whether you need historical dates for 2025, the current England bank holiday calendar for 2026 or upcoming public holidays in 2027, our dedicated guides help you plan work schedules, travel, family activities and annual leave.
Review all eight bank holidays in England for 2025, including Good Friday on 18 April, Easter Monday on 21 April, the early May bank holiday on 5 May and the summer bank holiday on 25 August. Explore Christmas and Boxing Day dates, historical public holidays and useful information for checking past annual leave and payroll records.
View England Bank Holidays 2025 →Explore the England public holiday calendar for 2026, including Good Friday on 3 April, Easter Monday on 6 April, the early May bank holiday on 4 May and the summer bank holiday on 31 August. Discover opportunities for long weekends and annual leave planning, including the Boxing Day substitute holiday on Monday 28 December.
View England Bank Holidays 2026 →Plan ahead with the complete 2027 England bank holiday calendar. New Year's Day falls on Friday 1 January, Good Friday on 26 March and Easter Monday on 29 March. Explore the May bank holidays, the summer bank holiday on 30 August and the Christmas substitute holidays on 27 and 28 December to organise travel, family breaks and annual leave.
View England Bank Holidays 2027 →England holiday planning tip: Bank holidays in England generally follow the same calendar as Wales, but dates differ from Scotland and Northern Ireland. When Christmas or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, substitute weekdays may apply. Employees are not automatically entitled to paid time off on bank holidays, so check your employment contract before planning leave.
England has 8 bank holidays in 2026: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the early May and spring bank holidays, the summer bank holiday, Christmas Day and the Boxing Day substitute on Monday 28 December.
The England summer bank holiday is Monday 31 August 2026, the last Monday in August.
No. St George's Day on 23 April is not a statutory bank holiday in England, although it is widely marked with local events.
No. England has 8 in 2026 while Scotland has 9 and Northern Ireland has 10, because those nations observe additional national days.