United Kingdom
Bank Holidays 2026
A comprehensive guide to all bank holidays across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, as designated by the UK Government.
England and Wales Bank Holidays 20268 Public Holidays
England and Wales| # | Holiday | Date | Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Years Day | 1 January 2026 | Thursday | – |
| 2 | Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Friday | – |
| 3 | Easter Monday | 6 April 2026 | Monday | – |
| 4 | Early May Bank Holiday | 4 May 2026 | Monday | May Day |
| 5 | Spring Bank Holiday | 25 May 2026 | Monday | – |
| 6 | Summer Bank Holiday | 31 August 2026 | Monday | – |
| 7 | Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Friday | – |
| 8 | Boxing Day | 28 December 2026 | Monday | Substitute Day |
Scotland Bank Holidays 20269 Public Holidays
Scotland| # | Holiday | Date | Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Years Day | 1 January 2026 | Thursday | – |
| 2 | 2nd January | 2 January 2026 | Friday | Scotland Only |
| 3 | Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Friday | – |
| 4 | Early May Bank Holiday | 4 May 2026 | Monday | – |
| 5 | Spring Bank Holiday | 25 May 2026 | Monday | – |
| 6 | Summer Bank Holiday | 3 August 2026 | Monday | First Monday Aug |
| 7 | St Andrews Day | 30 November 2026 | Monday | Scotland Only |
| 8 | Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Friday | – |
| 9 | Boxing Day | 28 December 2026 | Monday | Substitute Day |
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 202610 Public Holidays
Northern Ireland| # | Holiday | Date | Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Years Day | 1 January 2026 | Thursday | – |
| 2 | St Patricks Day | 17 March 2026 | Tuesday | NI Only |
| 3 | Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Friday | – |
| 4 | Easter Monday | 6 April 2026 | Monday | – |
| 5 | Early May Bank Holiday | 4 May 2026 | Monday | – |
| 6 | Spring Bank Holiday | 25 May 2026 | Monday | – |
| 7 | Battle of the Boyne | 13 July 2026 | Monday | Substitute Day |
| 8 | Summer Bank Holiday | 31 August 2026 | Monday | – |
| 9 | Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Friday | – |
| 10 | Boxing Day | 28 December 2026 | Monday | Substitute Day |
New Years Day
The first day of the Gregorian calendar year, celebrated with festivities, fireworks, and resolutions for the year ahead.
2nd January
An additional day for Hogmanay celebrations, reflecting Scotlands tradition of extended New Year festivities.
St Patricks Day
Celebrating the patron saint of Ireland with parades, traditional music, and cultural festivities honouring Irish heritage.
Good Friday
A Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. A common law holiday observed since time immemorial in England and Wales.
Easter Monday
The day after Easter Sunday, celebrated with family gatherings, egg hunts, and spring festivities.
Early May Bank Holiday
Also known as May Day, celebrating the arrival of spring with traditions like maypole dancing and crowning of the May Queen.
Spring Bank Holiday
The late May bank holiday, originally Whit Monday. A popular time for outdoor activities and the unofficial start of summer.
Battle of the Boyne
Also known as Orangemens Day, commemorating the 1690 battle. Marked with parades and celebrations of Ulster-Scots heritage.
Summer Bank Holiday
Scotlands summer bank holiday falls on the first Monday of August, earlier than the rest of the UK due to different school schedules.
Summer Bank Holiday
The late August bank holiday marking the end of summer. A popular time for festivals, travel, and the last long weekend before autumn.
St Andrews Day
Scotlands national day honouring the patron saint of Scotland. Celebrated with traditional Scottish music, food, and cultural events.
Christmas Day
Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ with family gatherings, gift-giving, festive meals, and traditional British customs.
Boxing Day
Traditionally a day for giving gifts to the less fortunate. Now celebrated with sales, sports events, and continued festive celebrations.
Bank Holidays by Region
England
8 Bank HolidaysWales
8 Bank HolidaysScotland
9 Bank HolidaysNorthern Ireland
10 Bank HolidaysSubstitute Days
When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday becomes the bank holiday, normally the following Monday.
- Boxing Day 2026 moves to Monday 28 December
- Battle of the Boyne moves to Monday 13 July
- Employers not required to give paid leave
Regional Differences
Each UK nation has unique bank holidays reflecting cultural traditions and heritage.
- Scotland observes 2nd January and St Andrews Day
- Northern Ireland has St Patricks Day and Battle of the Boyne
- Easter Monday not observed in Scotland
- Summer bank holiday dates differ between regions
Historical Background
Bank holidays were established by the Bank Holidays Act 1871, introduced by Sir John Lubbock.
- Originally nicknamed St Lubbocks Days
- Good Friday and Christmas are common law holidays
- Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 modernised dates
