UK Independent. Sourced. Primary. · Est. 2024
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Dates

UK bank holidays 2026

England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026, Scotland has 10 and Northern Ireland has 10, according to the official GOV.UK list. 1 of the England and Wales dates are substitute days because the holiday falls on a weekend.

England and Wales bank holidays 2026

DateHoliday
Thursday, 1 January 2026New Year’s Day
Friday, 3 April 2026Good Friday
Monday, 6 April 2026Easter Monday
Monday, 4 May 2026Early May bank holiday
Monday, 25 May 2026Spring bank holiday
Monday, 31 August 2026Summer bank holiday
Friday, 25 December 2026Christmas Day
Monday, 28 December 2026Boxing Day (substitute day)

Scotland bank holidays 2026

DateHoliday
Thursday, 1 January 2026New Year’s Day
Friday, 2 January 20262nd January
Friday, 3 April 2026Good Friday
Monday, 4 May 2026Early May bank holiday
Monday, 25 May 2026Spring bank holiday
Monday, 15 June 2026World Cup bank holiday
Monday, 3 August 2026Summer bank holiday
Monday, 30 November 2026St Andrew’s Day
Friday, 25 December 2026Christmas Day
Monday, 28 December 2026Boxing Day (substitute day)

Northern Ireland bank holidays 2026

DateHoliday
Thursday, 1 January 2026New Year’s Day
Tuesday, 17 March 2026St Patrick’s Day
Friday, 3 April 2026Good Friday
Monday, 6 April 2026Easter Monday
Monday, 4 May 2026Early May bank holiday
Monday, 25 May 2026Spring bank holiday
Monday, 13 July 2026Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) (substitute day)
Monday, 31 August 2026Summer bank holiday
Friday, 25 December 2026Christmas Day
Monday, 28 December 2026Boxing Day (substitute day)

Other years: 201920202021202220232024202520272028

Frequently asked questions

How many bank holidays are there in 2026?

England and Wales have 8, Scotland 10 and Northern Ireland 10.

What is a substitute day?

When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a weekday is usually given instead. GOV.UK marks these as substitute days.

Do employers have to give bank holidays off?

There is no legal right to paid leave on bank holidays. Employers can count them as part of the statutory 5.6 weeks of annual leave.

Dates checked against GOV.UK on 15 November 2026.

Sources