UK public holidays 2026: your complete reference

Planning your annual leave around public holidays is one of the smartest ways to maximise your time off. This comprehensive guide lists all UK bank holidays for 2026 across England & Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Use these dates to identify bridge day opportunities and plan longer breaks throughout the year.

Note: Dates are based on the standard UK pattern and are provided for planning guidance. Always verify against the official GOV.UK bank holidays service and import the final set into your calendar using My Holiday Planner.

England & Wales public holidays 2026

England and Wales share the same eight public holidays each year:

New Year's Day: Thursday 1 January 2026
Good Friday: Friday 3 April 2026
Easter Monday: Monday 6 April 2026
Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4 May 2026
Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25 May 2026
Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 31 August 2026
Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 2026
Boxing Day (substitute day): Monday 28 December 2026 (since 26 December falls on a Saturday)

Total: 8 public holidays

Scotland public holidays 2026

Scotland has additional public holidays, including some that differ from England & Wales:

New Year's Day: Thursday 1 January 2026
2nd January: Friday 2 January 2026
Good Friday: Friday 3 April 2026
Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4 May 2026
Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25 May 2026
Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 3 August 2026 (first Monday in August, different from England & Wales)
St Andrew's Day: Monday 30 November 2026
Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 2026
Boxing Day (substitute day): Monday 28 December 2026

Total: 9 public holidays

Note: Scotland does not observe Easter Monday as a public holiday, but has 2nd January and St Andrew's Day instead.

Northern Ireland public holidays 2026

Northern Ireland has the most public holidays, including additional days for cultural celebrations:

New Year's Day: Thursday 1 January 2026
St Patrick's Day: Tuesday 17 March 2026
Good Friday: Friday 3 April 2026
Easter Monday: Monday 6 April 2026
Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4 May 2026
Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25 May 2026
Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day) (substitute day): Monday 13 July 2026 (since 12 July falls on a Sunday)
Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 31 August 2026
Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 2026
Boxing Day (substitute day): Monday 28 December 2026

Total: 10 public holidays

Key dates for planning

Here are the most valuable dates for creating extended breaks:

Easter period (3-6 April): Four-day weekend. Take 4 days (7-10 April) for an 11-day break.
Early May (4 May): Monday bank holiday. Take 4 days (5-8 May) for a 9-day break.
Spring Bank Holiday (25 May): Another Monday. Take 4 days (26-29 May) for a 9-day break.
Summer Bank Holiday (31 August): Perfect for extending summer. Take 4 days (1-4 September) for a 9-day break.
Christmas/New Year: With Christmas on Friday and Boxing Day on Monday 28 December, use just 2 days (29-30 December) for a 5-day break, or 4 days for a 9-day break.

Regional differences summary

Region	Total Holidays	Unique Holidays
England & Wales	8	Standard set
Scotland	9	2nd January, St Andrew's Day, different Summer Bank Holiday
Northern Ireland	10	St Patrick's Day, Battle of the Boyne

How to use this information

Import into your calendar: Use My Holiday Planner to import bank holidays for your region automatically
Plan bridge days: Identify which public holidays fall on Mondays or Fridays to create longer breaks with minimal annual leave
Coordinate with family: Share your calendar with family members to coordinate shared holidays
Book early: Popular dates around bank holidays get booked quickly—plan and reserve accommodation early

Important notes

Substitute days apply when a bank holiday falls on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday)
Some employers may offer additional days off or have different policies—check your employment contract
Public holidays don't automatically mean time off—your employer may require you to work on these days
If you work on a bank holiday, you may be entitled to extra pay or time off in lieu—check your contract

Start planning your 2026 holidays

Now that you have all the dates, start planning your year! Use My Holiday Planner's Year Calendar to visualise your entire year, import bank holidays for your region, and identify the best opportunities for extended breaks. With strategic planning, you can turn your annual leave allowance into multiple restorative holidays throughout 2026.