Next Bank Holiday After New Year 2026 UK: All Regional Dates
The festive decorations are coming down, work emails are piling up, and the post-Christmas reality is setting in. Naturally, the first thing most of us do in January is check the calendar for our next break.
But in 2026, the answer isn’t simple.
Finding the next bank holiday after New Year 2026 UK depends entirely on your location. While workers in Scotland get an immediate bonus day off, those in England and Wales face the longest work stretch of the year.
This guide clarifies exactly when your next public holiday lands, provides a verified calendar for all UK regions, and offers a strategic plan to maximise your annual leave.
The Quick Answer: Next Bank Holiday by Region
Here is the immediate date for your diary based on where you live and work.
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Scotland: Friday, 2 January 2026 (2nd January Holiday)
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Northern Ireland: Tuesday, 17 March 2026 (St Patrick’s Day)
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England & Wales: Friday, 3 April 2026 (Good Friday)
The “Dry Spell” Warning: If you live in England or Wales, you have a three-month wait between New Year’s Day and Good Friday. This is the longest gap in the 2026 calendar.
UK Bank Holidays 2026: The Complete Multi-Region Table
The schedule below covers every confirmed bank holiday for the year. Dates rely on current data from GOV.UK Bank Holidays and regional government portals.
| Date | Bank Holiday Name | Observed In | Notes |
| 1 January (Thu) | New Year’s Day | UK Wide | |
| 2 January (Fri) | 2nd January | Scotland | Local holiday only |
| 17 March (Tue) | St Patrick’s Day | Northern Ireland | |
| 3 April (Fri) | Good Friday | UK Wide | |
| 6 April (Mon) | Easter Monday | Eng, Wales, NI | Not a bank holiday in Scotland |
| 4 May (Mon) | Early May Bank Holiday | UK Wide | |
| 25 May (Mon) | Spring Bank Holiday | UK Wide | |
| 13 July (Mon) | Battle of the Boyne | Northern Ireland | Substituted from Sunday 12th |
| 3 August (Mon) | Summer Bank Holiday | Scotland | Different date to Eng/Wales |
| 31 August (Mon) | Summer Bank Holiday | Eng, Wales, NI | Last break before Christmas |
| 30 November (Mon) | St Andrew’s Day | Scotland | |
| 25 December (Fri) | Christmas Day | UK Wide | |
| 28 December (Mon) | Boxing Day (Substitute) | UK Wide | Substituted from Saturday 26th |
Why the 2026 Christmas Break is Different
You might notice something unusual about the end of the year in the table above.
In 2026, Boxing Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday. Under UK statutory holiday rules, if a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a “substitute day” is granted the following Monday.
This means Monday, 28 December 2026 becomes your official bank holiday.
The Payroll Impact:
For HR managers and employees calculating holiday entitlement, this doesn’t change your total allowance. However, shift workers should check their contracts. Many employers only pay enhanced rates on the actual date (the 26th), while others pay it on the substitute day (the 28th).
2026 Leave Planning: How to Turn 8 Days into 16
Smart planning can double your time off. Because Easter falls in early April this year, you have a prime opportunity to “stack” your annual leave.
The Easter 16-Day Strategy
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The Goal: A full 16-day break from Saturday 28 March to Sunday 12 April.
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The Method: Book off the four days before Good Friday (March 30, 31, April 1, 2) and the four days after Easter Monday (April 7, 8, 9, 10).
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The Cost: You use 8 days of annual leave.
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The Result: You get 16 consecutive days away from your desk.
This block is perfect for a proper holiday rather than just a long weekend, giving you enough time to travel abroad before the summer price hikes hit.
FAQs
Is 2nd January 2026 a bank holiday in England?
No. While it is a statutory bank holiday in Scotland, businesses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be open as usual on Friday, 2 January. If you want this day off to extend your New Year celebrations, you must book it out of your personal holiday allowance.
How many bank holidays are there in the UK in 2026?
It varies by region:
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England & Wales: 8 days
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Scotland: 9 days
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Northern Ireland: 10 days
When are the Easter 2026 school holidays?
School terms vary by local council Check your local council term dates, but most schools in the UK will break up around Friday, 27 March and return on Monday, 13 April. This aligns perfectly with the “leave stacking” strategy mentioned above.
Is Easter Monday a bank holiday in Scotland?
No. Scotland observes Good Friday but does not recognise Easter Monday as a nationwide bank holiday. However, many local councils and businesses in Scotland still treat it as a holiday, so check with your employer.
When is the August Bank Holiday 2026?
This is a common point of confusion. Scotland observes its Summer Bank Holiday at the start of the month (3 August). England, Wales, and Northern Ireland observe theirs at the end of the month (31 August).
Summary
Knowing the next bank holiday after New Year 2026 UK helps you beat the booking rush and secure the best prices for your time off.
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England/Wales: You have a long wait until Good Friday (3 April).
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Scotland/NI: You get bonus breaks in January or March.
Pro-Tip: Since the gap between New Year and Easter is unusually long for England and Wales in 2026, consider booking a random Friday off in February. Breaking up that three-month “dry spell” can make a massive difference to your energy levels and productivity.
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