Northern Ireland · 2026
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2026
Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays in 2026, starting with New Year's Day on Thursday 1 January 2026 and ending with Boxing Day (substitute day) on Monday 28 December 2026.
Reviewed for the 2026 holiday year
2026 is the current holiday year on this site. Christmas Day falls on a Friday and Boxing Day on a Saturday, so a substitute weekday holiday applies at the end of December across the UK.
Northern Ireland has the longest calendar of the four nations, adding St Patrick's Day in March and the Battle of the Boyne in July on top of the England and Wales list.
Northern Ireland bank holiday dates 2026
| Holiday | Date (2026) | Day | Notes | Save |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 (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. |
Download or add these dates to your calendar
Exports use your current selection: Northern Ireland · 2026 — 10 bank holidays, including names, dates, applicable nations and substitute-day notes.
Add to Google Calendar (10 dates)
Google Calendar has no one-click way to add several events at once from a link, so each date below opens its own pre-filled Google Calendar entry that you confirm and save. To add every date in one go instead, download the .ics file above and use Google Calendar → Settings → Import & export → Import.
- New Year's Day1 January 2026 · All four UK nations
- St Patrick's Day17 March 2026 · Northern Ireland
- Good Friday3 April 2026 · All four UK nations
- Easter Monday6 April 2026 · England, Wales, Northern Ireland
- Early May bank holiday4 May 2026 · All four UK nations
- Spring bank holiday25 May 2026 · All four UK nations
- Battle of the Boyne (substitute day)13 July 2026 · Northern Ireland
- Summer bank holiday31 August 2026 · England, Wales, Northern Ireland
- Christmas Day25 December 2026 · All four UK nations
- Boxing Day (substitute day)28 December 2026 · All four UK nations
Your saved holidays
Save any bank holiday with the star buttons on the calendar and holiday tables, then filter and export just the dates you care about.
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Substitute days in 2026
When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute weekday is given so the holiday is not lost. In Northern Ireland that affects 2 dates in 2026:
- Battle of the Boyne (substitute day) — observed Monday 13 July 2026. 12 July falls on a Sunday, so the holiday moves to Monday 13 July.
- Boxing Day (substitute day) — observed Monday 28 December 2026. 26 December falls on a Saturday, so the holiday moves to Monday 28 December.
How the 2026 calendar is shaped
- 6 of the 10 dates fall on a Monday, creating that many three-day weekends.
- The longest stretch without a bank holiday is 116 days, between Summer bank holiday (31 August 2026) and Christmas Day (25 December 2026).
- The year opens with New Year's Day on Thursday 1 January 2026 and closes with Boxing Day (substitute day) on Monday 28 December 2026.
Because two extra dates fall in the first half of the year, Northern Ireland's holidays are spread more evenly across the calendar than England's.
Compare 2026 with other years and nations
- Northern Ireland bank holidays 2025
- Northern Ireland bank holidays 2027
- England bank holidays 2026
- Scotland bank holidays 2026
- Wales bank holidays 2026
Independent information
Northern Ireland bank holidays 2026: FAQs
How many bank holidays are there in Northern Ireland in 2026?
There are 10 bank holidays in Northern Ireland in 2026: New Year's Day on 1 January 2026; St Patrick's Day on 17 March 2026; Good Friday on 3 April 2026; Easter Monday on 6 April 2026; Early May bank holiday on 4 May 2026; Spring bank holiday on 25 May 2026; Battle of the Boyne (substitute day) on 13 July 2026; Summer bank holiday on 31 August 2026; Christmas Day on 25 December 2026; Boxing Day (substitute day) on 28 December 2026.
When is the first bank holiday in Northern Ireland in 2026?
New Year's Day on Thursday 1 January 2026 is the first Northern Ireland bank holiday of 2026.
When is the last bank holiday in Northern Ireland in 2026?
Boxing Day (substitute day) on Monday 28 December 2026 is the final Northern Ireland bank holiday of 2026.
Are there any substitute bank holidays in Northern Ireland in 2026?
Yes. Battle of the Boyne (substitute day) is observed on 13 July 2026, and Boxing Day (substitute day) is observed on 28 December 2026. A substitute weekday is given when a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
How many Northern Ireland bank holidays fall on a Monday in 2026?
6 of the 10 Northern Ireland bank holidays in 2026 fall on a Monday, which is what creates most of the year's three-day weekends.
What is the longest gap between Northern Ireland bank holidays in 2026?
The longest stretch without a bank holiday runs 116 days, from Summer bank holiday on 31 August 2026 to Christmas Day on 25 December 2026.
Are banks open on Northern Ireland bank holidays in 2026?
High street branches are usually closed on bank holidays, while apps, online banking, cash machines and card payments normally keep working. Bacs, Direct Debits, CHAPS and cheque clearing follow working-day cycles and pause on bank holidays. Always check with your own provider.