Bank holidays 2026
UK bank holidays 2026
England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026, Scotland has 10 and Northern Ireland has 10. Dates from GOV.UK.
| Date | Bank holiday | England & Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu1 January | New Year’s Day | |||
| Fri2 January | 2nd January | – | – | |
| Tue17 March | St Patrick’s Day | – | – | |
| Fri3 April | Good Friday | |||
| Mon6 April | Easter Monday | – | ||
| Mon4 May | Early May bank holiday | |||
| Mon25 May | Spring bank holiday | |||
| Mon15 June | World Cup bank holiday | – | – | |
| Mon13 July | Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day)Substitute day | – | – | |
| Mon3 August | Summer bank holiday | – | – | |
| Mon31 August | Summer bank holiday | – | ||
| Mon30 November | St Andrew’s Day | – | – | |
| Fri25 December | Christmas Day | |||
| Mon28 December | Boxing DaySubstitute day |
How bank holidays work in 2026
Bank holidays are set under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. Good Friday and Christmas Day are “common law” holidays in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but they are treated the same way. When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute day is given, normally the following Monday.
In 2026 Scotland has an extra one-off World Cup bank holiday on Monday 15 June. It does not apply in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Planning around these dates? The working days in 2026 page shows how many working days each month has, and the working days calculator excludes bank holidays automatically.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How many bank holidays are there in 2026?
England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026. Scotland has 10 and Northern Ireland has 10.
When is the first bank holiday of 2026?
New Year’s Day, on Thursday 1 January 2026, is the first bank holiday of the year across the UK.
Are there any substitute bank holidays in 2026?
Yes. When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a weekday is given instead. In 2026: Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) on Monday 13 July; Boxing Day on Monday 28 December.
Do I get bank holidays off work?
Not automatically. There is no legal right to paid time off on bank holidays. Employers can count them as part of the 5.6 weeks' statutory annual leave, which is 28 days for someone working 5 days a week. Check your contract.