United Kingdom (LSE) Market Holidays 2026
The United Kingdom (LSE) is closed for 8 full days and closes early 2 times in 2026.
Next market holiday: Christmas Eve — Dec 24 · Thursday · 87 days
The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is closed for 8 full days in 2026, aligned with England and Wales bank holidays. Boxing Day (26 December, Saturday) is observed on Monday 28 December. Two trading days close early at 12:30 London time: Christmas Eve (24 December) and New Year’s Eve (31 December).
Full-day closures
8
Early closes
2
Early close time
12:30 London
Full-day closures · 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Full-day closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | New Year's Day | Full close | |
| Apr 3 | Good Friday | Full close | |
| Apr 6 | Easter Monday | Full close | |
| May 4 | Early May Bank Holiday | Full close | |
| May 25 | Spring Bank Holiday | Full close | |
| Aug 31 | Summer Bank Holiday | Full close | |
| Dec 25 | Christmas Day | Full close | |
| Dec 28 | Boxing Day (observed) Boxing Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday, so the market observes the holiday on Monday 28 December. | Full close |
Early-closing days · 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Early-closing days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 24 | Christmas Eve The order book closes early at 12:30 London time. | Early closecloses at 12:30 | |
| Dec 31 | New Year's Eve The order book closes early at 12:30 London time. | Early closecloses at 12:30 |
How market holidays differ from public holidays
Market closures for United Kingdom (LSE) are close to but not identical to the 2026 public-holiday list. The differences come from weekend observance shifts, early closes (e.g. US stocks closing 1:00 PM the day after Thanksgiving), and exchange-specific half-day sessions.
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Official sources
- LSE Trading Hours & Calendar — London Stock Exchange
- UK Bank Holidays — UK Government (GOV.UK)
Last updated: 2026-09-27
Frequently asked questions
How many days is the London Stock Exchange closed in 2026?
8 full-day bank holiday closures plus two early closes at 12:30 London time.
Does LSE trade on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve?
Yes, but trading stops early at 12:30 London local time with no afternoon session.
Why is the LSE closed on 28 December 2026?
Boxing Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday, so the official UK bank holiday and market closure roll over to Monday 28 December.