Bank Holidays 2026 UK – Full List, Calendar & Holidays Planner
Looking for the bank holidays 2026 in UK? Here you go with a complete authentic list.
🇬🇧 UK Bank Holidays 2026
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—There are eight bank holidays 2026 in England and Wales, nine in Scotland and ten in Northern Ireland.
Bank Holidays 2026 in the UK
Bank holidays in the United Kingdom are official public holidays when banks, schools, and most businesses close. In 2026, the UK will once again enjoy a series of national and regional holidays, including traditional dates such as New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Christmas Day.
The UK Government (GOV.UK) officially publishes these dates through its Bank Holidays, which provides verified schedules for England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scottish bank holidays 2026. Each region has a slightly different list, reflecting local traditions such as St Andrew’s Day in Scotland and St Patrick’s Day in Northern Ireland.
What to Expect in 2026
The 2026 UK bank holiday calendar brings the usual mix of winter breaks, spring celebrations, summer long weekends, and festive holidays in December.
You’ll find all holidays below:
All Uk Bank Holidays 2026
| DATE | DAY | HOLIDAY | APPLICABLE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Thu | New Year’s Day | All UK |
| 2 Jan | Fri | 2nd January | Scotland |
| 17 Mar | Tue | St. Patrick’s Day | NI |
| 3 Apr | Fri | Good Friday | All UK |
| 6 Apr | Mon | Easter Monday | All UK (Ex. Scotland) |
| 4 May | Mon | Early May Bank Holiday | All UK |
| 25 May | Mon | Spring Bank Holiday | All UK |
| *13 Jul | Mon | Battle of the Boyne | NI |
| 3 Aug | Mon | Summer Bank Holiday | Scotland |
| 31 Aug | Mon | Late Summer August Bank Holiday | All UK (Ex. Scotland) |
| 30 Nov | Mon | St. Andrew’s Day | Scotland |
| 25 Dec | Fri | Christmas Day | All UK |
| *28 Dec | Mon | Boxing Day | All UK |
Bank Holidays in England & Wales 2026
| DATE | DAY | HOLIDAY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 4 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday (May Day) |
| 25 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 31 August | Monday | Late Summer August Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day |
| *28 December | Monday | Boxing Day |
Scottish Bank Holidays 2026
| DATE | DAY | HOLIDAY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 2 January | Friday | 2nd January |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 4 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 25 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 3 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 30 November | Monday | St. Andrew’s Day |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day |
| *28 December | Monday | Boxing Day |
Bank Holidays in Northern Ireland 2026
| DATE | DAY | HOLIDAY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 17 March | Tuesday | St. Patrick’s Day |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 4 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 25 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| *13 July | Monday | Battle of the Boyne |
| 31 August | Monday | Late Summer August Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day |
| *28 December | Monday | Boxing Day |
Note: A date marked with an asterisk (*) serves as a substitute for the actual bank holiday if it falls on a weekend.
For Previous and upcoming years’ holidays with live updated release of www.gov.uk keep visiting.
The UK has a substitute day rule whenever a holiday comes on the weekend so you never miss it, but to make the most of it you would need to bridge your holidays with annual leave.
So our advanced guide will help you to bridge your holiday with annual leave and make a joyful long holiday trip. Below is the complete list of UK bank holidays 2026 in all UK and country wise as well. Mark your calendars and pack your travel kit to hit an exciting holiday. Do not forget to check if there is a bank holiday today.
Bridge Your UK Bank Holidays 2026 Using Annual Leave
Make the most of your time off in 2026 by bridging your UK bank holidays 2026. Use your annual leave smartly. Here’s how to stretch your holidays for longer breaks.
Maximise Your Annual Leave in 2026 — UK Bank Holidays
Plan your 2026 annual leave around UK public holidays to unlock long weekends and extended breaks across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
England & Wales — 2026
| Period | Days to Book | Total Days Off | Bank Holidays Used | Suggested Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easter Mega-Stretch | 8 | 16 | Good Fri (3 Apr), Easter Mon (6 Apr) | Book Mon–Thu 30 Mar–2 Apr + Tue–Fri 7–10 Apr |
| Early May | 4 | 9 | Mon 4 May | Book Tue–Fri 5–8 May |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 4 | 9 | Mon 25 May | Book Tue–Fri 26–29 May |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 4 | 9 | Mon 31 Aug | Book Tue–Fri 1–4 Sep |
| Christmas / New Year | 3 | 10 | 25 Dec, 28 Dec (sub), 1 Jan 2027 | Book Tue–Thu 29–31 Dec |
Scotland — 2026
| Period | Days to Book | Total Days Off | Bank Holidays Used | Suggested Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Andrew’s Week | 4 | 9 | Mon 30 Nov | Book Tue–Fri 1–4 Dec |
| Christmas Run | 3 | 10 | 25 Dec, 28 Dec, 1 Jan 2027 | Book Tue–Thu 29–31 Dec |
Northern Ireland — 2026
| Period | Days to Book | Total Days Off | Bank Holidays Used | Suggested Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle of the Boyne Run | 4 | 9 | Mon 13 July | Book Tue–Fri 14–17 July |
| Christmas Long Run | 3 | 10 | 25 Dec, 28 Dec, 1 Jan 2027 | Book Tue–Thu 29–31 Dec |
January: Start Your Happy New Year
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 Jan (All UK)
- 2nd January: Friday, 2 Jan (Scotland only)
For Scotland:
Take Monday, 5 Jan off.
Get a 5-day break from 1 Jan (Thu) to 5 Jan (Mon).
Use: 1 day of leave.
March: Northern Ireland Only
- St. Patrick’s Day: Tuesday, 17 Mar (Northern Ireland)
Take Monday, 16 Mar and Wednesday, 18 Mar off.
Get 5 days off from 14 Mar (Sat) to 18 Mar (Wed).
Use: 2 days of leave.
April with Good Friday: Nationwide Easter Break
- Good Friday: 3 Apr (All UK)
- Easter Monday: 6 Apr (Except Scotland)
For England, Wales, NI:
Take 7–10 Apr (Tue–Fri) off.
Get a 10-day break from 3 Apr (Fri) to 12 Apr (Sun).
Use: 4 days of leave.
For Scotland:
Only Good Friday applies.
Take 6–10 Apr (Mon–Fri) off.
Get a 10-day break with just 5 days off.
May Day: Spring Planning
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 4 May
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 25 May
Take 5–8 May (Tue–Fri) off.
Get 9 days off from 2 May (Sat) to 10 May (Sun).
Use: 4 days of leave.
Repeat for Spring Bank Holiday:
Take 26–29 May off.
Enjoy another 9-day stretch.
July: NI Mid-Summer Break
Battle of the Boyne: Monday, 13 Jul (NI only)
Take 14–17 Jul (Tue–Fri) off.
Enjoy a 9-day break from 12 Jul (Sun) to 20 Jul (Mon).
Use: 4 days of leave.
August Bank Holiday 2026: Regional Options
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 3 Aug (Scotland only)
- Late Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 31 Aug (Except Scotland)
Scotland:
Take 4–7 Aug off.
Get 9 days from 2–10 Aug.
Use: 4 days of leave.
Rest of UK:
Take 1–4 Sep off.
Get 9 days from 30 Aug (Sun) to 7 Sep (Mon).
Use: 4 days of leave.
November: Scotland Only
St. Andrew’s Day: Monday, 30 Nov
Take 1–4 Dec off.
Get 9 days off from 29 Nov (Sun) to 7 Dec (Mon).
Use: 4 days of leave.
December: Finish Strong
- Christmas Day: Friday, 25 Dec
- Boxing Day (substitute): Monday, 28 Dec
Take 22–24 Dec (Tue–Thu) and 29–31 Dec (Tue–Thu) off.
Get a 12-day holiday from 20 Dec (Sun) to 1 Jan 2027 (Fri).
Use: 6 days of leave.
TL;DR
There are 8 official UK bank holidays in 2026 (plus regional extras in Scotland and Northern Ireland).
Key dates include New Year’s Day (Jan 1), Good Friday (Apr 3), Easter Monday (Apr 6), Early May (May 4), Spring Bank (May 25), Summer Bank (Aug 31), Christmas Day (Dec 25), and Boxing Day (Dec 28, substitute day).
You can enjoy three long weekends in the first half of the year — perfect for short getaways or family time.
Confused with counting days, weeks and months? Use the calculator to get the calculation in no time. Plan in no time in one click.
Pro Tip
Plan early. Check with your HR. Some dates fill fast. Smart planning gives you over 60 days off with just 28 days of leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Bank Holidays 2026 in UK.
