UK Bank Holidays 2026 – Full Official List
This page provides the complete list of UK bank holidays for 2026. Bank holidays vary across England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Use this guide to plan your time off, check regional differences, and identify long weekend opportunities throughout the year.
What are the UK bank holidays in 2026?
The UK bank holidays in 2026 include New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Some dates vary by region.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day | All UK |
| 2 January | Friday | 2nd January | Scotland only |
| 17 March | Tuesday | St Patrick’s Day | Northern Ireland only |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday | All UK |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday | England, Wales, Northern Ireland |
| 4 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday | All UK |
| 25 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday | All UK |
| 13 July | Monday | Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) | Northern Ireland only |
| 3 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday | Scotland only |
| 31 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday | England, Wales, Northern Ireland |
| 30 November | Monday | St Andrew’s Day | Scotland only |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day | All UK |
| 28 December | Monday | Boxing Day (substitute) | All UK |
Note: Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December 2026, so the substitute bank holiday is observed on Monday 28 December.
Bank Holidays by Region
England and Wales
England and Wales share the same bank holidays. There are 8 bank holidays in 2026 for these regions. View the full list on the England and Wales bank holidays 2026 page.
Scotland
Scotland has 9 bank holidays in 2026, including 2nd January and St Andrew’s Day. The summer bank holiday falls in early August rather than late August. View the full list on the Scotland bank holidays 2026 page.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays in 2026, including St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne. View the full list on the Northern Ireland bank holidays 2026 page.
How many bank holidays are there in 2026?
The number of bank holidays in 2026 depends on your location within the UK:
- England and Wales: 8 bank holidays
- Scotland: 9 bank holidays
- Northern Ireland: 10 bank holidays
Are bank holidays the same across the UK?
No, bank holidays are not identical across the UK. While most bank holidays such as New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day are observed throughout the UK, there are regional variations. Scotland observes 2nd January and St Andrew’s Day. Northern Ireland observes St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne. Scotland also has its summer bank holiday on the first Monday of August, while England, Wales, and Northern Ireland observe it on the last Monday of August.