England Bank Holidays and Dates

There are 8 regular England Bank Holidays in most years, giving residents important days off for celebrations, travel, and rest. This page to England Bank Holidays provides a clear overview of Bank Holidays in England, key Calendar Dates UK, and official Public and Bank Holidays listed on the UK Calendar, helping with work, Family, and holiday Planning.

You’ll find dates for Easter Monday, Spring bank holiday, Summer bank holiday, Christmas Day substitute, and Boxing Day substitute, alongside information from Government UK sources.

Overview: Bank Holidays in England

England has eight permanent bank holidays each year, plus occasional extras for royal events. Unlike Scotland and Northern Ireland, England does not have a St George’s Day holiday. The most common upcoming bank holidays in England include Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May, Spring, Summer, Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. When a holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute day (or ‘substitute bank holiday’) is given on the following Monday or Tuesday.

England Bank Holidays 2026

Here are the confirmed England bank holidays for 2026.

Date	Day of the week	Bank holiday
31 August	Monday	Summer bank holiday
25 December	Friday	Christmas Day
28 December	Monday	Boxing Day (substitute day)

England Bank Holidays 2027

Here are the confirmed England bank holidays for 2027.

Date	Day of the week	Bank holiday
1 January	Friday	New Year’s Day
26 March	Friday	Good Friday
29 March	Monday	Easter Monday
3 May	Monday	Early May bank holiday
31 May	Monday	Spring bank holiday
30 August	Monday	Summer bank holiday
27 December	Monday	Christmas Day (substitute day)
28 December	Tuesday	Boxing Day (substitute day)

England Bank Holidays 2028

Here are the confirmed England bank holidays for 2027.

Date	Day of the week	Bank holiday
3 January	Monday	New Year’s Day (substitute day)
14 April	Friday	Good Friday
17 April	Monday	Easter Monday
1 May	Monday	Early May bank holiday
29 May	Monday	Spring bank holiday
28 August	Monday	Summer bank holiday
25 December	Monday	Christmas Day
26 December	Tuesday	Boxing Day

Check More: UK Bank Holidays

Public and Bank Holidays: What’s the Difference?

In short: all bank holidays are public holidays, but not all public holidays are bank holidays.

• Bank holidays are days when banks and many businesses close by law (under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971).
• Public holidays is a broader term that includes bank holidays plus other days like Christmas Day and Good Friday (which are common law holidays, not technically bank holidays in England).

For most people, the difference doesn’t matter – you get the same day off work or extra pay.

UK Calendar: How England Compares to Scotland & Wales

Region	2026 Bank Holidays	2027 Bank Holidays	Extra unique holiday
England	8	8	None
Scotland	9	9	St Andrew’s Day (30 Nov)
Wales	8	8	Same as England

Scotland also has 2 January as a holiday. Northern Ireland has St Patrick’s Day (17 March) and Orangemen’s Day (12 July).

Summary for Planning: Family, Travel & Work

Summary for planning England school holidays around bank holidays is simple: most school term breaks align with Easter Monday, Early May, Spring, and Summer bank holidays. Avoid booking travel on 31 August (Summer bank holiday) or 26–28 December – roads and airports are busiest on these substitute day weekends.

Planning for Families: England School Holidays & Term Breaks

England School Holidays generally follow these patterns:

• Easter break: includes Easter Monday (late March/early April)
• May half-term: near Spring bank holiday (late May)
• Summer holidays: end just before or after Summer bank holiday (August)

England School Holidays 2026–2027

Most local authorities set Term Dates between:

• Autumn term 2026: early September to mid-December
• Spring term 2027: early January to late March (breaks for Good Friday)
• Summer term 2027: mid-April to late July

Term Breaks vs Bank Holidays

Term Breaks often start the Monday after a bank holiday – except Summer bank holiday (31 August), which falls during the summer holidays. So families get a full week plus that Monday off.

School Holidays and Family Planning

Use Planning tools like local council PDF calendars. For Family trips, book accommodations for Easter Monday (29 March 2027) and Spring bank holiday (31 May 2027) at least 3–4 months in advance.

Check More: England School Holidays

Why Does England Have Bank Holidays?

England’s bank holidays began with the Bank Holidays Act 1871, created by politician Sir John Lubbock. He loved cricket and wanted workers to have official days off. Originally there were only four: Easter Monday, Whit Monday, First Monday in August, and Boxing Day. Over time, Good Friday, New Year’s Day, May Day, and Spring and Summer holidays were added.

Are There Always 8 Bank Holidays in the UK?

England and Wales always have 8. Scotland has 9. Northern Ireland has 10. Extra “one-off” bank holidays (like the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022) can increase the number in any given year.

Is There Two Bank Holidays in August in England?

For England: No. Only the Summer bank holiday on the last Monday of August.
However, Scotland has a first Monday in August bank holiday and the last Monday, giving them two August bank holidays. England has only one.

Explore Other Holidays:

• UK Public Holidays
• UK School Holidays
• England Public Holidays
• Wales Public Holidays
• Scotland Public Holidays
• Northern Ireland Public Holidays

FAQs

Knowing your England Bank Holidays helps you plan work leave, school Term Breaks, and family trips. Book travel early for Easter Monday, Spring bank holiday, and Summer bank holiday weekends. For official changes, always check Government UK sources.

Useful Resources

For the most authoritative information, visit:

Check the official UK government website🡵