The UK has 8 bank holidays in England and Wales for 2026, 9 in Scotland, and 10 in Northern Ireland. The four nations have slightly different lists — here's the complete breakdown.
For broader UK context, see UK 2026 holidays. For next bank holidays in real-time, check our UK countdown.
Quick reference: UK bank holidays 2026
| Date 2026 | Day | Holiday | E&W | Scotland | NI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thu | New Year's Day | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2 January | Fri | 2nd January | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 17 March | Tue | St. Patrick's Day | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| 3 April | Fri | Good Friday | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 6 April | Mon | Easter Monday | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| 4 May | Mon | Early May Bank Holiday | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 25 May | Mon | Spring Bank Holiday | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 13 July | Mon | Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| 3 August | Mon | Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland) | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 31 August | Mon | Summer Bank Holiday (E&W, NI) | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| 30 November | Mon | St. Andrew's Day | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 25 December | Fri | Christmas Day | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 28 December | Mon | Boxing Day (substitute) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Total: England & Wales 8 days, Scotland 9 days, Northern Ireland 10 days.
What are "bank holidays"?
Bank holidays are public holidays in the UK established by the Bank Holidays Act 1871 (Sir John Lubbock). Originally limited to banks, the term now refers to all UK public holidays.
Key things to know:
- Most workplaces close on bank holidays — but it's not legally required for private employers
- Many shops and supermarkets remain open (often with reduced hours)
- Public transport runs reduced services
- Schools are closed (except summer bank holiday, which falls during summer break anyway)
Substitute days (in lieu)
When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, an alternative day in lieu is granted — usually the next Monday. In 2026:
- Christmas Day (25 Dec) — falls on Friday → no substitute needed
- Boxing Day (26 Dec) — falls on Saturday → substitute: Monday, 28 December 2026
- New Year's Day (1 Jan) — Thursday → no substitute
Holiday-by-holiday detail
New Year's Day — Thursday, 1 January 2026
The first bank holiday of the year. Public transport runs Sunday service. London hosts:
- New Year's Day Parade through central London
- Big Ben fireworks the night before
- Trafalgar Square crowds
2nd January (Scotland only) — Friday, 2 January 2026
Scotland gets an extra day for Hogmanay recovery. The 2-day New Year tradition reflects Scotland's deep cultural association with the new year (Hogmanay arguably bigger than Christmas in Scottish tradition).
St. Patrick's Day (NI only) — Tuesday, 17 March 2026
Public holiday in Northern Ireland to mark Ireland's patron saint. Parades in Belfast, Derry, Armagh. Note: in 2026 this falls on Tuesday — not a Monday substitute year.
Good Friday — Friday, 3 April 2026
Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion. Banks close, but some retailers open. Historically observed with hot cross buns.
Easter Monday — Monday, 6 April 2026
The day after Easter Sunday. Bank holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland does not observe Easter Monday — this is a difference between Scottish and English bank holiday lists.
Early May Bank Holiday — Monday, 4 May 2026
The first Monday in May. Was introduced in 1978. Some Conservative governments have proposed moving it to October as "Trafalgar Day" but it remains in early May.
Spring Bank Holiday — Monday, 25 May 2026
The last Monday in May. Replaced the older "Whit Monday" (Pentecost Monday) — moved from a fluctuating Christian date to a fixed Monday in 1971.
This is one of the most popular long weekends for short breaks in the UK.
Battle of the Boyne (NI only) — Monday, 13 July 2026
Northern Ireland marks the 1690 Battle of the Boyne when Protestant William of Orange defeated Catholic James II. Also called Orangemen's Day. Includes Orange Order parades.
Note: in 2026 the 12th falls on Sunday, so the bank holiday is the substitute day Monday 13 July.
Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland) — Monday, 3 August 2026
Scotland's summer bank holiday falls on the first Monday of August — different from the rest of the UK.
Summer Bank Holiday (E&W, NI) — Monday, 31 August 2026
For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the summer bank holiday is the last Monday of August — typically warmest weather, beach trips, festivals.
The Notting Hill Carnival in London (Caribbean culture celebration) happens the Sunday-Monday of August Bank Holiday weekend, drawing 2+ million visitors over 2 days.
St. Andrew's Day (Scotland only) — Monday, 30 November 2026
Scotland's national day, honoring its patron saint. Public holiday since 2006. Not as widely observed as St. Patrick's Day in Ireland, but growing in popularity.
In 2026, falls on Monday so no substitution needed.
Christmas Day — Friday, 25 December 2026
The biggest holiday of the year. Almost all shops closed, no public transport in some areas, restaurants very limited.
Boxing Day → Substitute Monday — Monday, 28 December 2026
Boxing Day (26 Dec) falls on Saturday in 2026, so the substitute bank holiday moves to Monday, 28 December 2026.
This creates an effective 4-day weekend: Fri (Christmas) → Sat (Boxing Day) → Sun → Mon (substitute).
Long weekends in 2026
The bank holiday system creates several long weekends. Best ones in 2026:
| Long weekend | Days off | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 3-6 April | 4 days | Good Friday + Easter Monday |
| 2-4 May | 3 days | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 23-25 May | 3 days | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 29-31 August | 3 days | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25-28 December | 4 days | Christmas + Boxing Day substitute |
For a full long-weekend planner, see /gb/long-weekends.
Bank holiday differences by nation
The UK doesn't have a single national bank holiday list — Westminster grants powers to each nation:
England & Wales (8 days)
The "default" UK list. Sometimes a coronation or jubilee adds an extra one-off bank holiday (e.g., King Charles III's coronation in 2023).
Scotland (9 days)
Adds: 2nd January, St. Andrew's Day. Removes: Easter Monday.
Northern Ireland (10 days)
Adds: St. Patrick's Day, Battle of the Boyne.
Do I get bank holidays off work?
UK employment law does not require employers to give bank holidays off. Your employment contract will specify whether you:
- Get all bank holidays off (most common)
- Receive bank holidays as part of your annual leave allowance
- Get a different list (e.g., retail, healthcare, emergency services often work bank holidays)
Workers in customer-facing roles often receive enhanced pay (1.5x or 2x) for working bank holidays.
Banking, shops, and services on bank holidays
- Banks: closed
- Post Office: closed (some Crown Office branches may open in larger cities)
- Royal Mail: no deliveries on bank holidays
- Major supermarkets: open (often reduced hours)
- Small retailers: variable
- Pubs and restaurants: usually open
- Public transport: reduced (Sunday service typically)
- NHS: emergency only — non-urgent appointments rescheduled
Related references
- UK 2026 holidays
- UK long weekends 2026
- UK countdown to next holiday
- British public holidays detail
- Northern Ireland 2026 holidays
- Scotland separate list
Bank holiday dates are confirmed by the UK government and gov.uk. This list reflects the official 2026 calendar. Substitute days are standard practice when holidays fall on weekends.