UK Bank Holidays 2026: Plan Your Time Off

Planning your time off in 2026? Knowing the dates of UK bank holidays in advance can help you maximise your annual leave and enjoy longer breaks. Here, we’ve compiled a complete guide to all bank holidays for 2026 across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Whether you’re asking “When is the next UK bank holiday?” or comparing with UK bank holidays in 2025, this article has you covered.

When is the next bank holiday in 2026?

The first bank holiday of 2026 will be New Year’s Day on Thursday, 1 January.

In Scotland, there’s an additional bank holiday on Friday, 2 January 2026.

The next UK-wide bank holiday will be Good Friday on 3 April 2026, followed by Easter Monday on 6 April 2026 (not observed in Scotland).

For the official list of bank holidays published by the UK government, visit the GOV.UK bank holidays page.

How many UK bank holidays will there be in 2026?

• England and Wales: 8

• Scotland: 9

• Northern Ireland: 10

UK Bank Holidays 2026: England & Wales

UK Bank Holidays 2026: Scotland

UK Bank Holidays 2026: Northern Ireland

FAQs About UK Bank Holidays in 2026

1. What’s the difference between a bank holiday and a public holiday?
A bank holiday is an official holiday when banks and many businesses close. Public holiday is a broader term that can include cultural or regional days that are not officially designated as bank holidays.

2. How many bank holidays are there in the UK in 2026?

• England & Wales: 8

• Scotland: 9

• Northern Ireland: 10

3. Why does Scotland have more bank holidays than the rest of the UK?
Because Scotland observes unique holidays such as 2 January and St Andrew’s Day, reflecting its cultural traditions.

4. Do employees automatically get time off on bank holidays?
Not by law. There’s no automatic right to time off on a bank holiday, but most contracts include them as part of annual leave entitlement.

5. Are bank holidays included in statutory annual leave?
Yes — the UK’s 5.6 weeks of statutory annual leave can include bank holidays, unless your employer offers extra days.

6. Are most UK bank holidays on Mondays?
Yes. Thanks to the “substitute day” rule, holidays that fall on a weekend are observed on the following Monday, helping to create long weekends.

7. What happens if I work on a bank holiday? Do I get extra pay?
There’s no legal entitlement to higher pay, but many employers offer time off in lieu or enhanced pay for working on bank holidays.

8. Do part-time workers get bank holidays?
Yes — part-time employees are entitled to a pro-rated allocation of bank holidays, based on the number of days or hours they work.

9. How are UK bank holidays decided?
Most bank holidays are set by government legislation. Some, like Easter, move each year based on the lunar calendar. Others, such as St Patrick’s Day, are regional. Occasionally, extra bank holidays are declared for national events (royal celebrations, jubilees, etc.).

10. Why do pay dates often change around bank holidays?
If a bank holiday falls on a payday, salaries may be paid earlier or later. Employers should communicate payroll changes in advance to avoid confusion.

Final Thoughts

With the UK bank holiday dates for 2026 confirmed, you can plan your breaks with confidence. From England and Wales to Scotland and Northern Ireland, each region has its own dates to enjoy.

👉 Don’t forget to check also our UK Bank Holidays 2025 guide to compare both years.
👉 For the official government source, visit the HMRC/GOV.UK bank holidays page.

Make the most of your time off in 2026 and start planning today!