United Kingdom Bank Holidays (2025–2028)
England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026. Because Boxing Day (Dec 26) falls on a Saturday, a substitute bank holiday is taken on Monday Dec 28. Scotland and Northern Ireland follow a slightly different list.
At a Glance: Statutory Days & Long Weekends
2026 – 20275 long weekends (3+ days)
View full calendar6 long weekends scheduled
Explore scheduleDepartment for Business and Trade (DBT) and GOV.UK.
Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971; annual dates confirmed by Royal Proclamation under the Royal Prerogative.
United Kingdom Public Holiday System & Legal Framework
Governing Legislation & Statutory Authority
Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971; annual dates confirmed by Royal Proclamation under the Royal Prerogative.
Weekend In-Lieu Observance & Substitute Days
Substitute bank holidays: When a fixed-date bank holiday (Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day) falls on a weekend, the "substitute day" is taken on the next available weekday (usually Monday). If both Christmas and Boxing Day fall on Saturday and Sunday, Monday and Tuesday become substitute bank holidays.
Federal vs Regional & Provincial Disparities
The UK comprises four distinct holiday jurisdictions: England and Wales share 8 annual bank holidays; Scotland observes 9 to 10 days (adding 2nd January and St Andrew’s Day, but omitting Easter Monday); Northern Ireland observes 10 days (adding St Patrick’s Day and Orangemen’s Day / Battle of the Boyne).
Statutory Annual Leave & Bridge Days (Ponts) Culture
Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, almost all full-time workers in the UK are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks (28 days) of paid statutory annual leave. Employers may choose to include bank holidays as part of this statutory entitlement.
United Kingdom Multi-Year Calendars & Downloads (2025–2028)
iCal (ICS) · CSV · PDFUnited Kingdom Planning Hub: Calendars, Working Days & Schools
Working Days Calculator
Calculate exact business days, work hours, and statutory holidays for United Kingdom (2026 & 2027) for payroll and contracts.
Long Weekends & Leave Planner
Discover all natural 3- and 4-day weekends, plus interactive bridge day strategies turning 1–2 days of annual leave into 5–9 days off.
School Terms & Holidays
Official academic term dates, half-term breaks, summer vacations, and exam recess periods issued by the ministry of education.
UK Bank Holidays 2026 by Nation: England, Scotland & NI
UK bank holidays 2026 by nation: 8 in England and Wales, 10 in Scotland (2 Jan, St Andrew’s Day, a World Cup holiday) and 10 in Northern Ireland.
Major Global Festivals Celebrated in United Kingdom
Other Public Holiday Calendars in Europe
Official sources & data
Frequently Asked Questions About United Kingdom Public Holidays
How many bank holidays are there in the UK each year?
England and Wales have 8 standard bank holidays per year. Scotland has 9 standard days (occasionally 10), and Northern Ireland has 10 standard days.
Are UK employers legally required to give employees bank holidays off?
No statutory right exists to take bank holidays off. Whether an employee has bank holidays off with pay depends entirely on the terms of their employment contract. However, full-time workers are entitled to a total of 28 days statutory paid leave.
What is a substitute bank holiday in the UK?
When a bank holiday with a fixed calendar date (such as Christmas Day on Dec 25 or Boxing Day on Dec 26) falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute bank holiday is declared on the following Monday (and Tuesday if two holidays fall on the weekend).
Why does Scotland have different bank holidays from England?
Scotland maintains distinct legal, cultural, and banking traditions under devolution. Scotland celebrates 2nd January (recovery from Hogmanay) and St Andrew’s Day, but traditionally does not treat Easter Monday as a statutory bank holiday.
When are the long weekends in the UK each year?
Most UK bank holidays fall on Mondays by design (Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday in late May, and Summer Bank Holiday in late August), guaranteeing 3-day weekends. Easter features a 4-day weekend spanning Good Friday to Easter Monday.