2026 Bank Holidays UK – Full Regional Dates List

Q: What's the difference between bank and public holidays?

In the UK, 'bank holiday' is the legal term for these days off. 'Public holiday' is often used interchangeably, though technically bank holidays are created by statute while public holidays have historical origins. There is no practical difference for workers.

The United Kingdom will observe between eight and ten bank holidays during 2026, with exact dates varying by nation. While England and Wales share an identical schedule of eight public holidays, Scotland recognises ten distinct dates, and Northern Ireland maintains ten holidays including additional cultural observances.

These dates remain provisional until officially confirmed by the UK government through statutory instruments, though calendar calculations based on the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 provide reliable projections. Businesses and workers planning annual leave should note significant regional variations, particularly around Easter, New Year, and late summer.

What are the bank holidays in the UK in 2026?

The total count of bank holidays in 2026 depends entirely on which UK nation you reside in. England and Wales follow the minimum statutory pattern, while Scotland and Northern Ireland retain additional dates reflecting distinct national heritage.

England & Wales
8 bank holidays

Scotland
10 bank holidays

Northern Ireland
10 bank holidays

Confirmation Status
Provisional pending government proclamation

Several patterns emerge when comparing the national calendars. Easter Monday falls on 6 April across all regions, though Easter Sunday (5 April) is not a bank holiday. All nations observe the Spring Bank Holiday on 25 May, but summer arrangements diverge significantly.

Eight holidays minimum: England and Wales observe the lowest count among UK nations, following the standard statutory minimum.
Scotland’s winter extensions: Scotland adds 2nd January and St Andrew’s Day (30 November), creating extended winter breaks.
Northern Ireland’s cultural dates: NI uniquely recognises St Patrick’s Day (17 March) and the Battle of the Boyne (13 July).
Boxing Day substitution: Because 26 December falls on Saturday, all regions observe a substitute bank holiday on Monday 28 December.
No confirmed additions: Despite speculation regarding a potential World Cup holiday on 15 June in Scotland, no extra 2026 dates have received government confirmation.
Fixed Easter calculations: Good Friday (3 April) and Easter Monday (6 April) follow the Christian ecclesiastical calendar, varying annually.
Summer divergence: Scotland’s Summer Bank Holiday falls on 3 August, while England, Wales and NI observe theirs on 31 August.

Date	Holiday	England & Wales	Scotland	Northern Ireland
1 January	New Year’s Day	✓	✓	✓
2 January	2nd January	—	✓	—
17 March	St Patrick’s Day	—	—	✓
3 April	Good Friday	✓	✓	✓
6 April	Easter Monday	✓	✓	✓
4 May	Early May Bank Holiday	✓	✓	✓
25 May	Spring Bank Holiday	✓	✓	✓
13 July	Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day)	—	—	✓
3 August	Summer Bank Holiday	—	✓	—
31 August	Summer Bank Holiday	✓	—	✓
30 November	St Andrew’s Day	—	✓	—
25 December	Christmas Day	✓	✓	✓
28 December	Boxing Day (substitute)	✓	✓	✓

Bank holiday dates for England and Wales 2026

England and Wales maintain identical bank holiday calendars in 2026, with eight statutory dates spread throughout the year. The schedule provides three consecutive breaks in spring (Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Early May) before the late summer holiday.

When is the Spring bank holiday 2026?

The Spring Bank Holiday falls on Monday 25 May 2026. This date is consistent across all UK nations, providing a uniform late-May break for schools and businesses nationwide.

What date is the August bank holiday 2026 UK?

For England and Wales, the Summer Bank Holiday occurs on Monday 31 August 2026. This creates a three-day weekend marking the traditional end of the summer season, though Scotland observes this holiday three weeks earlier.

Substitute Day Mechanics

When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the substitute weekday typically becomes the following Monday. In 2026, Boxing Day (Saturday 26 December) generates a substitute bank holiday on Monday 28 December across all regions. New Year’s Day 2026 falls on Thursday 1 January, requiring no substitution.

The full sequence for England and Wales comprises: New Year’s Day (1 January), Good Friday (3 April), Easter Monday (6 April), Early May Bank Holiday (4 May), Spring Bank Holiday (25 May), Summer Bank Holiday (31 August), Christmas Day (25 December), and Boxing Day substitute (28 December).

Bank holidays in Scotland 2026

Scotland observes ten bank holidays in 2026, incorporating distinct winter and summer dates that reflect separate legal traditions. The Scottish calendar diverges from England and Wales immediately after New Year.

Scotland’s unique winter schedule

Scotland extends the New Year period with a specific bank holiday on Friday 2 January 2026. Additionally, Monday 30 November 2026 marks St Andrew’s Day, though employment status for this date varies by contract and local authority.

Bank holidays Northern Ireland 2026

Northern Ireland shares Scotland’s total of ten bank holidays but distributes them differently. The region observes Tuesday 17 March 2026 for St Patrick’s Day and Monday 13 July 2026 for the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day), reflecting distinct cultural and historical commemorations.

Unlike Scotland, Northern Ireland aligns with England and Wales for the Summer Bank Holiday on 31 August. The region does not observe 2nd January or St Andrew’s Day, creating a unique hybrid pattern of UK-wide and nation-specific dates.

Regional Observance Status

While St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne are statutory bank holidays in Northern Ireland, St Andrew’s Day in Scotland carries voluntary status for employers. Workers should verify contractual entitlements for 30 November specifically.

When is Good Friday and Easter Monday 2026?

Easter 2026 falls earlier than in recent years, with Good Friday on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April. These dates are calculated by the Christian ecclesiastical calendar and represent the first major bank holiday cluster of the year.

Is there a bank holiday on New Year’s Day 2026?

Yes. Thursday 1 January 2026 is a bank holiday across all UK nations. Scotland additionally recognises 2nd January (Friday) as a separate holiday. Because 1 January falls on Thursday in 2026, many workers effectively gain a four-day break by taking Friday as annual leave.

What are the Christmas bank holidays 2026 UK?

Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December 2026. Boxing Day (Saturday 26 December) generates a substitute bank holiday on Monday 28 December 2026. This arrangement creates a three-day weekend followed by a standalone substitute holiday, rather than the consecutive Christmas-Boxing Day pairing seen when the 26th falls on a weekday.

Provisional Date Status

While 2026 dates follow predictable mathematical patterns, official confirmation through Royal Proclamation typically occurs six to twelve months in advance. One independent source suggests a potential additional holiday on 15 June for a World Cup event, though this remains unverified by government channels.

2026 UK Bank Holiday Calendar: Chronological Guide

The following sequence presents all 2026 bank holidays in calendar order, with regional applicability noted for each date.

1 January — New Year’s Day (All UK)
2 January — 2nd January (Scotland only)
17 March — St Patrick’s Day (Northern Ireland only)
3 April — Good Friday (All UK)
6 April — Easter Monday (All UK)
4 May — Early May Bank Holiday (All UK)
25 May — Spring Bank Holiday (All UK)
13 July — Battle of the Boyne (Northern Ireland only)
3 August — Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland only)
31 August — Summer Bank Holiday (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)
30 November — St Andrew’s Day (Scotland only)
25 December — Christmas Day (All UK)
28 December — Boxing Day substitute (All UK)

Source: Office Simplify calendar data

Are bank holidays in 2026 different across UK nations?

Regional variation remains a defining characteristic of the UK bank holiday system. While core Christian and seasonal holidays align, national observances reflect distinct legal and cultural histories.

Established Information	Information Remaining Unclear
England and Wales share identical 8-holiday calendars	Potential 15 June World Cup holiday in Scotland (single unconfirmed source)
Scotland observes 2nd January, 3 August Summer Bank Holiday, and 30 November	Exact timing of statutory instrument proclamation for 2026
Northern Ireland uniquely recognises 17 March and 13 July	Whether St Andrew’s Day 2026 will carry statutory or voluntary employment status
Boxing Day 2026 substitute confirmed for 28 December nationwide	Possibility of additional royal or state occasion holidays
Easter dates fixed by ecclesiastical calendar: 3 April and 6 April	Regional adoption of any newly created bank holidays

According to historical patterns, the UK rarely adds bank holidays without specific legislation or Royal Proclamation following significant national events.

How many bank holidays are there in the UK in 2026?

The total number of bank holidays in 2026 ranges from eight to ten depending on jurisdiction. This variation stems from the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, which permits Scottish and Northern Irish authorities to maintain separate lists reflecting pre-union legal traditions.

England and Wales operate the minimum statutory framework. Scotland’s additional dates (2nd January, St Andrew’s Day, and the earlier Summer Bank Holiday) recognise distinct national identity. Northern Ireland’s supplementary holidays commemorate specific historical and religious traditions unique to the province.

Workers should verify individual contracts, as statutory entitlement to paid leave on bank holidays varies by employment terms and nation. Royal Mail postage costs and delivery schedules also adjust during these periods.

Official sources and legal confirmation

The UK government maintains authority for bank holiday proclamations through the Office for National Statistics and the Department for Business and Trade. Current 2026 projections rely on mathematical algorithms established under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.

Bank holidays are set by statute and proclamation. When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday becomes a bank holiday, usually the following Monday.

— GOV.UK Official Guidance

Historical data suggests formal confirmation of 2026 dates will appear on GOV.UK between late 2025 and early 2026. Until such proclamation occurs, all dates remain technically provisional despite their mathematical certainty.

Planning your 2026 calendar

Organisations should prepare for regional workforce availability throughout 2026, particularly during the Easter cluster (3-6 April) and the December substitute arrangement. Comparing Bank Holidays 2024 UK – Complete Regional Lists reveals 2026 offers similar patterns to recent years, with no additional nationwide commemorations scheduled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do bank holidays get paid time off?

There is no statutory right to paid time off on bank holidays. Whether you receive paid leave depends on your employment contract. Many workers receive paid leave as part of their annual entitlement, but this is not automatic.

Can bank holidays be moved?

Yes, the government can move bank holidays by Royal Proclamation, though this is rare. Substitute days automatically apply when holidays fall on weekends, but the dates themselves require statutory authority to change.

What’s the difference between bank and public holidays?

In the UK, “bank holiday” is the legal term for these days off. “Public holiday” is often used interchangeably, though technically bank holidays are created by statute while public holidays have historical origins. There is no practical difference for workers.

Are shops required to close on bank holidays?

No. There is no law requiring shops to close on bank holidays in England, Wales, or Scotland. Northern Ireland has specific trading restrictions for Easter Sunday and Christmas Day, but other bank holidays operate normally for retail.

How are Easter bank holiday dates determined?

Easter Monday and Good Friday dates are calculated using the Christian ecclesiastical calendar, specifically the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. This means Easter varies annually between late March and late April.

Do public transport services run on bank holidays?

Services typically operate on bank holidays but often run to Sunday or reduced timetables. Major networks like National Rail and Transport for London publish specific holiday schedules closer to each date.

Are bank holidays included in annual leave entitlement?

Statutory annual leave entitlement is 5.6 weeks (28 days for full-time workers). Bank holidays can be included within this total or provided in addition, depending on your contract wording. Part-time workers receive pro-rata entitlement.