UK Bank Holidays 2026: The Official List for Planning Your Year

How many 10-day holidays could you take in 2026 by using just 4 days of annual leave?.  Planning your year—whether for holidays, business schedules, or school calendars—starts with knowing the official UK bank holidays 2026 dates. But the dates aren’t the same across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

This guide provides the complete, government-verified 2026 bank holiday list for all UK nations. We’ll also explain why the dates differ and show you exactly how to maximise your time off.

At-a-Glance: 2026 Bank Holidays (England & Wales)

• New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 Jan
• Good Friday: Friday, 3 Apr
• Easter Monday: Monday, 6 Apr
• Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 4 May
• Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 25 May
• Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 31 Aug
• Christmas Day: Friday, 25 Dec
• Boxing Day (substitute day): Monday, 28 Dec

Official 2026 Bank Holidays: England and Wales

For England and Wales, there are 8 official bank holidays scheduled for 2026. The list is confirmed and includes substitute days for Christmas and Boxing Day, which fall over a weekend.

Source: Verified from the [GOV.UK bank holiday list].

Official 2026 Bank Holidays: Scotland

Scotland has 9 bank holidays in 2026. The list includes unique national holidays like the 2nd of January and St. Andrew’s Day, and their Summer Bank Holiday falls in early August.

Source: Verified from the [mygov.scot bank holiday dates].

Official 2026 Bank Holidays: Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays in 2026. This list includes the national holidays of St. Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day).

Source: Verified from the [NIDirect government services].

The 2026 Holiday Maximiser: How to Get 47 Days Off Using 19 Days of Leave

Knowing the dates is one thing; using them strategically is another. Here is our expert planner’s guide to get the most time off in 2026 by booking just 19 days of your annual leave.

The 10-Day Easter Escape (April 2026)

• Bank Holidays: Friday, 3 Apr (Good Friday) & Monday, 6 Apr (Easter Monday).
• Pro-Tip: Book just 4 days of leave (March 30, 31, April 1, 2). This gives you 10 consecutive days off (from Saturday, March 28 to Monday, April 6) for a fantastic spring break.

The Double May Breaks (May 2026)

• Bank Holidays: Monday, 4 May (Early May) & Monday, 25 May (Spring).
• Pro-Tip: Treat these as two separate opportunities. Book 4 days of leave after each holiday (May 5-8 and May 26-29). This gives you two separate 9-day breaks for only 8 days of annual leave.

The 9-Day Christmas Finale (December 2026)

• Bank Holidays: Friday, 25 Dec (Christmas) & Monday, 28 Dec (Boxing Day substitute).
• Pro-Tip: Book just 3 days of leave (December 29, 30, 31). This gives you a 9-day break (from Friday, Dec 25 to Saturday, Jan 2, 2027) to cover the entire festive period.

Your 2026 Bank Holiday Questions Answered

These dates often raise questions for both employees and employers. Here are the expert answers to the most common queries.

Why is the Boxing Day 2026 holiday on a Monday? (Understanding Substitute Days)

This is a ‘substitute day’. Because Boxing Day (Dec 26th) falls on a Saturday in 2026, the public holiday is automatically ‘moved’ to the next available weekday (Monday, 28th).

This ensures that workers still get the public holiday. This is legally defined in the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, which gives the government power to move holidays that fall on a weekend.

Do I have a legal right to paid time off on bank holidays?

No. This is a common myth. An employer is not legally required to give you paid leave on a bank holiday. Your right to paid time off, extra pay, or time in lieu depends entirely on what is written in your contract of employment. Always check your contract first.

How do bank holidays work for part-time employees?

Part-time workers are legally protected from being treated less favourably than full-time staff. They are entitled to a pro-rata allowance of bank holidays, based on the hours they work.

For example, if a full-time employee (5 days a week) gets 8 bank holidays, a part-time employee who works 3 days a week is entitled to 4.8 days’ worth of holiday pay (8 days * 3/5).

Why does Scotland have different bank holidays?

Scotland has its own separate public holiday schedule set by Scottish Ministers, reflecting its distinct culture and laws. This includes traditional holidays like the 2nd of January (to extend Hogmanay celebrations) and St. Andrew’s Day (Scotland’s national day). Their Summer Bank Holiday is also on the first Monday of August, not the last.

Is St. Patrick’s Day a bank holiday in England or Scotland?

No. St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) is only a public bank holiday in Northern Ireland. While it’s widely celebrated across the UK, it remains a normal working day in England, Wales, and Scotland.

How many bank holidays are there in 2026?

It depends on your nation!

• England and Wales: 8
• Scotland: 9
• Northern Ireland: 10

Will there be any extra bank holidays in 2026?

As of late 2025, no extra holidays are scheduled for 2026. Extra bank holidays (like for the King’s Coronation in 2023) are rare. They are specially declared by royal proclamation for major national events, and the 2026 list is considered final.

Plan Your 2026 Today

You now have the complete, official 2026 bank holiday list for all UK nations, plus the expert strategies to make the most of them.

Knowing the dates is the first step. The real value comes from booking your leave now—especially for the Easter and Christmas breaks—before your colleagues do.

Bookmark this page for reference, and share it with your team, family, and friends to start planning your 2026.

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Hello, I'm Mohammed Saad is the founder of UKblogspot.co.uk. I'm a digital marketer and content writer with 2 years of experience, focused on creating helpful, well-researched content on diverse topics for a UK audience.

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