UK Bank Holidays 2026
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.
Bank holidays
8
Region shown
England & Wales
Longest break
Easter · 4 days
Substitute day
Boxing Day → Dec 28
2026 United Kingdom calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
08August
09September
10October
11November
12December
United Kingdom public holiday list
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Good FridayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter MondayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| May 4, 2026 | Monday | Early May bank holidayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | Spring bank holidayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| August 31, 2026 | Monday | Summer bank holidayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| December 28, 2026 | Monday | Boxing Day (substitute day)Boxing Day (Dec 26) falls on a Saturday, so the bank holiday moves to Monday Dec 28.Substitute holiday | Substitute holiday |
United Kingdom long weekends in 2026
Easter
4 daysApr 3 – 6
Good Friday and Easter Monday bracket the weekend — four days off.
Early May
3 daysMay 2 – 4
Spring
3 daysMay 23 – 25
Summer
3 daysAug 29 – 31
Christmas
4 daysDec 25 – 28
Christmas Day through the Boxing Day substitute on Monday — four days in a row.
What are bank holidays — and why "substitute days"?
The UK calls its public holidays "bank holidays". England and Wales have eight a year. Most fall on a Monday, which is why bank holidays usually create a three-day weekend.
When a fixed-date holiday such as Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, a "substitute day" is granted on the next available weekday. In 2026 Boxing Day (Dec 26) is a Saturday, so the substitute is taken on Monday Dec 28.
Scotland & Northern Ireland: how the list differs in 2026
Scotland adds 2nd January (Jan 2) and St Andrew's Day (Nov 30), takes its summer bank holiday on the first Monday of August (Aug 3, 2026), and does not observe Easter Monday. Scotland also has a one-off World Cup bank holiday on Monday Jun 15, 2026.
Northern Ireland matches England & Wales but adds St Patrick's Day (Mar 17) and the Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen's Day (observed Monday Jul 13, 2026, as Jul 12 is a Sunday).
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Official sources & data
Frequently asked questions
How many bank holidays are there in the UK in 2026?+
England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026. Scotland and Northern Ireland each have their own list — Scotland has additional days such as 2nd January and St Andrew's Day, and Northern Ireland adds St Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne.
Why is Boxing Day a bank holiday on December 28 in 2026?+
Boxing Day falls on Saturday December 26, 2026. When a bank holiday lands on a weekend, a substitute weekday is given instead — usually the following Monday — so the holiday moves to Monday December 28.
When is the Spring bank holiday 2026?+
The Spring bank holiday is on Monday May 25, 2026 in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Early May bank holiday is the week before, on Monday May 4.
Does my employer have to give me bank holidays off in the UK?+
No. There is no statutory right to paid leave on bank holidays in the UK. Whether bank holidays are paid days off depends on your employment contract; some employers include them within the statutory 28 days of annual leave.
What are the long weekends in the UK in 2026?+
Easter (Apr 3–6) is a four-day weekend, and the Christmas period (Dec 25–28) is also four days thanks to the Boxing Day substitute. The Early May, Spring and Summer bank holidays each create a standard three-day weekend.
