Is 5 January 2026 Bank Holiday in UK? — What You Should Know

If you’re searching is 5 January 2026 bank holiday in UK, it’s important to check reliable sources before making plans. Unlike New Year’s Day or other official bank holidays, 5 January 2026 is not a public or bank holiday anywhere in the United Kingdom.

This means that businesses, schools, banks, and most public services will operate normally on this day.

Is 5 January 2026 a Bank Holiday? — Official Status

No — 5 January 2026 is a standard working day across all UK regions: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. While New Year’s Day on 1 January is observed throughout the UK, and Scotland has an additional holiday on 2 January, the 5th of January does not appear on the official bank holiday calendar.

If you want to learn more about why Scotland observes 2 January, see Why Does Scotland Get 2 January Off?. You can also check what day 2 January 2026 falls on to plan your week accordingly.

Understanding Early January Bank Holidays in the UK

Bank holidays are legislated days off, recognized differently in each UK region:

For a full list of dates and regional observances in January 2026, refer to January Bank Holiday 2026 UK: Dates, Regions & What to Expect.

Therefore, 5 January 2026 is treated like any regular working day, regardless of your location.

Why Knowing This Matters

Knowing whether a date is a bank holiday helps you:

  • Schedule work and meetings without conflict
  • Plan travel when services are operating normally
  • Organize personal leave or appointments efficiently
  • Avoid surprises with banks or government offices — especially after holidays like Boxing Day or when Christmas falls on a weekend

Since 5 January 2026 is not a holiday, you can expect normal operations in most sectors. If you want to plan for the next holiday, check When Is the Next Bank Holiday in UK? (Quick Answer + Dates).

FAQs About Early January 2026 Holidays

Q: Is Jan 5, 2026 a holiday?
A: No, 5 January 2026 is not a bank or public holiday anywhere in the UK.

Q: Is there an extra bank holiday in 2026?
A: Apart from the standard holidays, there are no extra national bank holidays in early January 2026. Scotland does observe 2 January as an additional day off.

Q: Is 2 January 2026 a bank holiday?
A: Yes, 2 January 2026 is a bank holiday in Scotland only. England, Wales, and Northern Ireland do not observe this day.

Q: What holiday is January 6, 2026?
A: 6 January 2026 is not a bank holiday anywhere in the UK. Regular working hours apply.

For those interested in all bank holidays across multiple years, including 2025, 2026, and 2027, you can explore British Bank Holidays 2025, 2026, 2027 for full details and planning.

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