UK Bank Holidays for 2026
England & Wales – 8 days
|
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
|---|---|---|
|
1 January |
Thursday |
New Year’s Day |
|
3 April |
Friday |
Good Friday |
|
6 April |
Monday |
Easter Monday |
|
4 May |
Monday |
Early May Bank Holiday |
|
25 May |
Monday |
Spring Bank Holiday |
|
31 August |
Monday |
Summer Bank Holiday |
|
25 December |
Friday |
Christmas Day |
|
28 December |
Monday |
Boxing Day (substitute day) |
Scotland – 9 days
|
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
|---|---|---|
|
1 January |
Thursday |
New Year’s Day |
|
2 January |
Friday |
2nd January |
|
3 April |
Friday |
Good Friday |
|
6 April |
Monday |
Easter Monday * |
|
4 May |
Monday |
Early May Bank Holiday |
|
25 May |
Monday |
Spring Bank Holiday |
|
3 August |
Monday |
Summer Bank Holiday |
|
30 November |
Monday |
St Andrew’s Day |
|
25 December |
Friday |
Christmas Day |
|
28 December |
Monday |
Boxing Day (substitute day) |
*Easter Monday isn’t a standard nationwide holiday in Scotland, but some councils recognise it. Scotland also has a World Cup Bank Holiday on 15 June 2026 in some listings.
Northern Ireland – 10 days
|
Date |
Day |
Holiday |
|---|---|---|
|
1 January |
Thursday |
New Year’s Day |
|
17 March |
Tuesday |
St Patrick’s Day |
|
3 April |
Friday |
Good Friday |
|
6 April |
Monday |
Easter Monday |
|
4 May |
Monday |
Early May Bank Holiday |
|
25 May |
Monday |
Spring Bank Holiday |
|
13 July |
Monday |
Battle of the Boyne (substitute day) |
|
31 August |
Monday |
Summer Bank Holiday |
|
25 December |
Friday |
Christmas Day |
|
28 December |
Monday |
Boxing Day (substitute day) |
Quick tips for 2026:
- Both May bank holidays fall on Mondays: 4 May and 25 May – perfect for long weekends.
- If you want to maximise time off: booking 8 days of annual leave around the May bank holidays can get you ∼20 days off.
- Official list: You can find the gov.uk list here for updates.