April 2026 Bank Holidays in the UK: Dates & Details
April is one of the most searched months for UK bank holidays because people are usually planning time off, travel, school breaks, or business schedules around Easter. If you’re checking April 2026 bank holidays in the UK, you’re likely looking for clear dates you can rely on, without confusion between regions or unofficial calendars.
April 2026 Bank Holidays in the UK (Quick Answer)
There are two bank holidays in the UK in April 2026:
- Good Friday: Friday, 3 April 2026 (UK-wide)
- Easter Monday: Monday, 6 April 2026 (England, Wales & Northern Ireland)
For most of the UK, these holidays combine with the weekend to create a four-day Easter break.
April 2026 UK Bank Holidays: Confirmed Dates
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Apr 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | UK-wide bank holiday |
| 6 Apr 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday | England, Wales & Northern Ireland |
These are official statutory bank holidays and do not change.
Good Friday – Friday, 3 April 2026
Good Friday is a bank holiday across the entire UK, including England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It is one of the most consistently observed public holidays and typically involves:
- Bank and government office closures
- No stock market trading
- Reduced public transport and retail hours
Because it always falls on a Friday, it automatically extends the weekend.
Easter Monday – Monday, 6 April 2026
Easter Monday is a bank holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, giving these regions a longer Easter break.
In Scotland, Easter Monday is not a statutory bank holiday, although many employers and schools may still close. This regional difference is similar to other Scottish-specific holiday rules, such as 2 January, which is explained in detail here:
👉 Why Does Scotland Get 2 January Off?
https://banksholidays.uk/why-does-scotland-get-2-january-off/
Region-Wise April 2026 Bank Holidays
England & Wales
- Good Friday: ✔ Bank holiday
- Easter Monday: ✔ Bank holiday
Total time off:
2 bank holidays + weekend = 4 consecutive days
Scotland
- Good Friday: ✔ Bank holiday
- Easter Monday: ✖ Not statutory
Total guaranteed time off:
1 bank holiday + weekend = 3 days
(Easter Monday depends on employer policy)
Northern Ireland
- Good Friday: ✔ Bank holiday
- Easter Monday: ✔ Bank holiday
Total time off:
2 bank holidays + weekend = 4 consecutive days
How Many Days Off Can You Get in April 2026?
Quick summary:
- England & Wales: 4 days off
- Northern Ireland: 4 days off
- Scotland: 3 guaranteed days off
This makes Easter the most valuable long weekend of spring 2026, especially compared with later holidays such as the Spring Bank Holiday in May 2026:
https://banksholidays.uk/spring-bank-holiday-2026/
Important Things to Know About April 2026
- 6 April 2026 is also the start of the UK tax year, but it is not a bank holiday
- Transport, retail, and healthcare services may run on reduced schedules
- Easter is often the first major travel peak of the year
If you’re planning ahead, you may also want to check when the next bank holiday falls after Easter:
👉 https://banksholidays.uk/when-is-the-next-uk-bank-holiday/
April 2026 Bank Holidays: Final Takeaway
In April 2026, Easter creates one of the longest and most predictable breaks in the UK calendar. With Good Friday on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April, most of the UK benefits from four consecutive days off without using annual leave.
Scotland remains the exception due to Easter Monday not being statutory, a pattern seen with other Scottish-specific holidays earlier in the year, such as January bank holidays. For a full overview of how these regional differences fit into the wider calendar, see:
👉 January Bank Holiday 2026 UK: Dates, Regions & What to Expect
https://banksholidays.uk/january-bank-holiday-2026-uk-dates/
This makes April 2026 a key planning month for travel, work schedules, and family time across the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bank holidays are there in April 2026 in the UK?
There are two official bank holidays in the UK in April 2026: Good Friday on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April. No other statutory bank holidays fall in April.
Is Good Friday a bank holiday everywhere in the UK?
Yes. Good Friday (3 April 2026) is a UK-wide bank holiday, observed in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Is Easter Monday a bank holiday in Scotland in 2026?
No. Easter Monday (6 April 2026) is not a statutory bank holiday in Scotland, although many employers and schools may still close at their discretion.
Do England and Wales get a four-day Easter break in April 2026?
Yes. In England and Wales, Good Friday and Easter Monday combine with the weekend to create a four-day break from Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April 2026.
Is Easter Monday a bank holiday in Northern Ireland?
Yes. Easter Monday is an official bank holiday in Northern Ireland, giving a four-day Easter break when combined with the weekend.
How many days off do you get over Easter 2026?
- England & Wales: 4 days off
- Northern Ireland: 4 days off
- Scotland: 3 guaranteed days off (Easter Monday varies by employer)
Is 6 April 2026 a bank holiday because it is the start of the tax year?
No. 6 April 2026 is the start of the UK tax year, but it is only a bank holiday in some regions because it falls on Easter Monday, not because of the tax year.
Are shops and banks closed on April 2026 bank holidays?
Most banks and government offices close on Good Friday and Easter Monday. Retail opening hours vary, with many shops operating reduced Easter hours.
