Wales
Wales observes the same eight bank holidays as England in 2026. Here are the confirmed dates, plus what happens on St David's Day and over the Christmas period.
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. |
St David's Day on Sunday 1 March 2026 is the national day of Wales and is marked with parades, concerts and school events. It is not currently a statutory bank holiday, so it does not appear in the table above and there is no substitute weekday.
Coastal and national park destinations in Wales are at their busiest over the Easter, late May and August bank holidays. Booking accommodation early and travelling outside peak Friday evening and Monday afternoon windows makes those weekends far easier.
Banking in Wales on bank holidays
WALES HOLIDAY PLANNING GUIDE
Compare Welsh bank holiday dates across three years, explore long weekends and understand substitute holidays before planning annual leave, travel or business schedules.
Wales follows the England and Wales bank holiday calendar, with eight bank holidays each year. The exact dates change around Easter, the May holidays and Christmas. Use these dedicated year-by-year guides to find the dates you need.
Review all eight Welsh bank holidays in 2025, including Good Friday on 18 April, Easter Monday on 21 April and the August bank holiday on 25 August. Useful for past leave records, payroll checks and year-on-year comparisons.
View Wales Bank Holidays 2025 →Explore the eight bank holidays in Wales for 2026, including the Easter break, May long weekends and the Boxing Day substitute holiday on Monday 28 December. Find dates for annual leave and family travel planning.
View Wales Bank Holidays 2026 →Plan ahead with the complete 2027 Welsh bank holiday calendar. Easter Monday falls on 29 March, while Christmas and Boxing Day have substitute holidays on 27 and 28 December. Compare dates and prepare your leave schedule.
View Wales Bank Holidays 2027 →Planning tip: St David's Day on 1 March is celebrated throughout Wales but is not a statutory bank holiday. Check the relevant year's calendar for confirmed public holiday dates and substitute days.
Wales has 8 bank holidays in 2026, the same dates as England, ending with the Boxing Day substitute on Monday 28 December 2026.
No. St David's Day on 1 March is a national day widely celebrated in Wales, but it is not a statutory bank holiday, so banks, schools and workplaces follow their normal schedules.
No. Wales follows the England and Wales bank holiday calendar, so the dates are identical in both nations.
Monday 31 August 2026, the last Monday in August.