UK Bank Holidays 2026

Looking for the UK bank holidays 2026? Here you go with a complete authentic list. There are eight holidays in England and Wales, nine in Scotland and ten in Northern Ireland each year. 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.

Note: A date marked with an asterisk (*) serves as a substitute for the actual bank holiday if it falls on a weekend.

Visit www.gov.uk for the original release of UK bank holidays 2026.

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.

January: Start the Year Right

• 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.

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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.

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April: 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.

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May: 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.

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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.

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August: 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.

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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.

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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.

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Final 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. To plan your bank holidays 2025 and download the calendar of UK bank holidays 2025 follow UK Bank Holidays 2025: Full List with Calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions