UK Bank Holidays 2026
England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026, Scotland has 9 and Northern Ireland 10. Bank holidays differ per nation: Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own extra days, shown in the Where column. Banks and most offices close; many shops stay open.
Bank holidays 2026
| Date | Holiday | Day off | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | New Year's Day | Thu, Jan 1 | Nationwide |
| Friday | 2nd January | Fri, Jan 2 | Scotland |
| Tuesday | St Patrick's Day | Tue, Mar 17 | Northern Ireland |
| Friday | Good Friday | Fri, Apr 3 | Nationwide |
| Monday | Easter Monday | Mon, Apr 6 | England, Wales, Northern Ireland |
| Monday | Early May bank holiday | Mon, May 4 | Nationwide |
| Monday | Spring bank holiday | Mon, May 25 | Nationwide |
| Sunday | Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day) | Mon, Jul 13 | Northern Ireland |
| Monday | Summer bank holiday | Mon, Aug 3 | Scotland |
| Monday | Summer bank holiday | Mon, Aug 31 | England, Wales, Northern Ireland |
| Monday | St Andrew's Day | Mon, Nov 30 | Scotland |
| Friday | Christmas Day | Fri, Dec 25 | Nationwide |
| Saturday | Boxing Day | Mon, Dec 28 | Nationwide |
When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute day is given on the next weekday, usually the Monday. Substitute days are shown in amber. Week numbers follow ISO 8601 (Monday to Sunday).
Plan your 2026
Frequently asked questions
How many bank holidays are there in 2026?
England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026, Scotland has 9 and Northern Ireland 10.
What happens when a bank holiday falls on a weekend?
When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute day is given on the next weekday, usually the Monday. In 2026 this applies to Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day) (observed Monday, July 13, 2026), Boxing Day (observed Monday, December 28, 2026).
When is the first bank holiday of 2026?
New Year's Day on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
When is the last bank holiday of 2026?
Boxing Day on Monday, December 28, 2026.