UK Public Holidays 2026

There are 8 UK Public Holidays 2026 in England and Wales, with variations in Scotland and Northern Ireland. These official bank holidays mark important national and religious events, helping individuals and businesses plan time off in advance. Knowing the confirmed 2026 dates ensures you can organise leave, travel, and work schedules efficiently.

This complete guide to UK Public Holidays 2026 lists every official date, explains which holidays move each year, and highlights regional differences across the UK. Easter and summer bank holidays vary annually.

What are UK Public Holidays?

UK public holidays, often referred to as bank holidays, are days when most businesses and banks are closed by statute. While the official bank holidays UK are set by the government, they differ slightly across regions.

For example, St. Andrew’s Day holiday Scotland 2026 is a specific observance, whereas St. Patrick’s Day Northern Ireland enjoys a unique day off. Understanding the difference between a common local holiday and a national UK holiday calendar event helps with planning.

UK Public Holidays 2026: Complete Dates

Below is the master UK public holidays 2026 calendar, including all nations. Please note the specific substitute bank holiday adjustments where a date falls on a weekend (the observed holiday UK rule).

Date	Day	Holiday Name	Region
1 January	Thursday	New Year’s Day	All UK
2 January	Friday	2nd January	Scotland only
3 April	Friday	Good Friday	All UK (except NI*)
6 April	Monday	Easter Monday	England, Wales, NI
4 May	Monday	Early May bank holiday	All UK
25 May	Monday	Spring bank holiday	All UK
13 July	Monday	Battle of the Boyne (observed)	Northern Ireland only
31 August	Monday	Summer bank holiday	All UK (except Scotland)
30 November	Monday	St. Andrew’s Day	Scotland only
25 December	Friday	Christmas Day	All UK
28 December	Monday	Boxing Day (substitute day)	All UK

*Good Friday is a public holiday in England, Wales, and Scotland but is not a bank holiday in Northern Ireland (though many close).

2026 Bank Holidays for England and Wales

Residents looking for bank holidays in Wales 2026 and England Public Holidays will find the schedule identical. The key dates for 2026 include the Early May bank holiday 2026 and the Summer Bank Holiday 2026 UK, which always falls on the last Monday in August.

England and Wales: Full List by Month

• January: New Year’s Day (Thursday 1st)
• April: Good Friday (Friday 3rd), Easter Monday (Monday 6th)
• May: Early May bank holiday (Monday 4th), Spring bank holiday (Monday 25th)
• August: Summer bank holiday (Monday 31st)
• December: Christmas Day (Friday 25th), Boxing Day (substitute – Monday 28th)

2026 Bank Holidays for Scotland

Scotland Public Holidays differ slightly due to local traditions. Notably, bank holidays in Scotland 2026 include the 2nd of January and St. Andrew’s Day, while they do not observe the Summer bank holiday in August.

Scotland: Unique Holidays Explained

• 2nd January: Unique to Scotland, this extends the New Year celebration (Hogmanay).
• St. Andrew’s Day (30 Nov): Scotland’s patron saint day. While many businesses close, it is not always a mandatory bank holiday for all, making it a specific common local holiday.

2026 Bank Holidays for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Public Holidays reflect the region’s history and culture. bank holidays in Northern Ireland 2026 include St. Patrick’s Day Northern Ireland and the Battle of the Boyne.

Northern Ireland: Unique Holidays Explained

• St. Patrick’s Day (17 March): Celebrated across the region, falls on a Tuesday in 2026.
• Battle of the Boyne (13 July): Also known as “The Twelfth,” this commemorates the Battle of the Boyne. In 2026, it is observed on Monday 13th as a substitute for the actual date (12th).

UK Public Holidays 2026 and School Holidays

Parents often combine UK school holiday dates 2026 with bank holidays to maximize time off. The Easter holidays UK 2026 (usually two weeks) will surround Good Friday 2026 (3rd April) and Easter Monday 2026 UK (6th April). Similarly, the Summer half-term 2026 often coincides with the Spring bank holiday 2026 in late May.

Why Bank Holidays Change (Substitute Days)

You might notice Boxing Day substitute day 2026 is listed for Monday 28th. This is because Boxing Day (26th) falls on a Saturday. Under UK law, if a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute bank holiday (often called an “in lieu” or observed holiday UK) is appointed for the following Monday.

What to do on bank holiday weekend 2026

Planning a break? The Early May bank holiday 2026 (4th May) is perfect for spring getaways, while the Summer Bank Holiday 2026 UK (31st August) marks the traditional end of summer. Always check what is closed on UK bank holidays before travelling—while many shops open, banks and post offices usually shut, and public transport over Easter bank holiday often runs on a reduced Sunday timetable.

Explore Other Public Holidays:

• UK Public Holidays
• UK Public Holidays 2026
• England Public Holidays
• Wales Public Holidays
• Scotland Public Holidays
• Northern Ireland Public Holidays

Mark your calendars for the Christmas 2026 UK and New Year’s Day 2026 UK celebrations, and ensure you utilize every 2026 Bank Holidays to plan your year effectively. Whether you are looking for the UK bank holiday list for England, Scotland, or Wales, bookmark this page for the most accurate public holidays England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales guide.

FAQs

Useful Resources

For the most authoritative information, visit:

Check the official UK government website🡵