Bank Holidays 2026 for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
After returning to work in the new year, for those wondering when their next long weekend might be, here’s all of the bank holidays in 2026 coming up in the UK.
The return to work after a break over Christmas is a tough one. From mince pies to deadlines, and presents to presentations, it can feel like a whole new world.
For many, the next extended break will come in the shape of a bank holiday. But when will it come? Well, now is the time to check the calendar for the bank holidays in 2026, when you might be able to look forward to an extra day off work - and perhaps get your holiday days in the diary to maximise your leave.
While some workplaces might not automatically grant a day off for bank holidays, many could offer increased pay - a consolation for those having to work - so either way, it's worth knowing when the extra days are.
And for folks in Scotland, this summer's football world cup gives workers a special bonus - an extra day off to look forward to, whether they watch the match or not. Whatever your situation, below is the current calendar of bank holidays in 2026 (not including New Year's Day, which, of course, has already passed).
England & Wales Bank Holidays 2026
- Friday, April 3 – Good Friday
- Monday, April 6 – Easter Monday
- Monday, May 4 – Early May Bank Holiday (May Day)
- Monday, May 25 – Spring Bank Holiday
- Monday, August 31 – Summer Bank Holiday
- Friday, December 25 – Christmas Day
- Monday, December 28 – Boxing Day (substitute day because 26 Dec is a Saturday)
Scotland Bank Holidays 2026
- Friday, April 3 – Good Friday
- Monday, May 4 – Early May Bank Holiday
- Monday, May 25 – Spring Bank Holiday
- Monday, June 15 - In celebration of Scotland appearing at the World Cup
- Monday, August 3 – Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland only)
- Monday, November 30 – St Andrew’s Day
- Friday, December 25 – Christmas Day
- Monday, December 28 – Boxing Day (substitute day)
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2026
- Thursday, January 1 – New Year’s Day
- Tuesday, March 17 – St Patrick’s Day
- Friday, April 3 – Good Friday
- Monday, April 6 – Easter Monday
- Monday, May 4 – Early May Bank Holiday
- Monday, May 25 – Spring Bank Holiday
- Monday, July 13 – Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day, substitute)
- Monday, August 31 – Summer Bank Holiday
- Friday, December 25 – Christmas Day
- Monday, December 28 – Boxing Day (substitute day)
The Citizen’s Advice Bureau has lots of information about working on a bank holiday. They say it’s up to your employer to decide whether or not you have to work on bank holidays and if they are closed on that day, they can make you take them as part of your annual leave entitlement. However, some employers are more charitable than others, so you will need to check your contract to know if you will still get paid if you don’t work.