Public Holidays in the United Kingdom 2026
8 bank holidays in England and Wales in 2026
The United Kingdom does not use one identical bank-holiday calendar across all four nations. England and Wales have eight bank holidays in 2026, while Scotland and Northern Ireland follow related but distinct schedules. The main table uses England and Wales as the default UK reference and the regional differences are explained below.
England & Wales Bank Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| Apr 3 | Friday | Good Friday |
| Apr 6 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| May 4 | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| May 25 | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| Aug 31 | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
| Dec 28 | Monday | Boxing Day Substitute |
The UK does not have one identical bank-holiday calendar. The table shows England and Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland have additional and differently timed bank holidays.
Regional Bank Holidays in the UK 2026
Scotland and Northern Ireland differ from the England and Wales calendar. Scotland observes 2 January and St Andrew’s Day and has its summer bank holiday in early August. Northern Ireland adds St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne holiday. These differences matter when planning travel, government services and business operations across the UK.
Substitute Bank Holidays in the UK
If a UK bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday normally becomes the bank holiday. In 2026, Boxing Day falls on Saturday, so Monday, December 28 is the substitute bank holiday in England and Wales.
United Kingdom Holiday Calendar: What to Know
- England and Wales share the bank-holiday dates shown in the main table.
- Scotland has a different summer bank holiday and also observes 2 January and St Andrew’s Day.
- Northern Ireland additionally observes St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne holiday.
- When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday is normally designated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bank holidays the same across the UK?
No. England and Wales share one calendar, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have additional and differently timed bank holidays.
What happens when Christmas or Boxing Day falls on a weekend?
A substitute weekday is normally designated as the bank holiday.
Does an employer have to give paid leave on a bank holiday?
Not necessarily. GOV.UK states that employers do not have to give paid leave specifically on bank or public holidays.
Does Scotland have more bank holidays?
Scotland has distinct holidays including 2 January and St Andrew’s Day, and its summer bank holiday is normally earlier than in England and Wales.
Sources & methodology
View sources used for this page
Official bank-holiday calendars for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Independent calendar cross-check used for date, weekday and observed-day review. Government notices and statutory rules take precedence where they differ.
Source hierarchy: government, statutory or institutional material is the primary reference. Timeanddate is retained only as an independent cross-check; later official declarations take precedence.