UK bank holidays - GOV.UK
Find out when bank holidays are in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - including past and future bank holidays
www.gov.ukHere’s the latest on UK bank holidays.
Core answer
- Bank holidays in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are set by the government and vary by region. The most recent consolidated guides list the upcoming dates through 2026, including major holidays like New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
Key points by region
- England and Wales: Common holidays include New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day (with Boxing Day often substituting on a different date when the holiday falls on a weekend).
- Scotland: Observes several of the same holidays but with different dates for some holidays (e.g., Christmas Day and Boxing Day are observed, with specific regional variations on observed days when holidays fall on weekends).
- Northern Ireland: Observes similar holidays but may include St. Patrick’s Day as a bank holiday in addition to the standard set.
- Substitutes and weekend rules: When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, many regions substitute a weekday as the holiday, which can shift observed days for workers and public services.
Planning tips
- If you’re booking time off or planning events, verify dates with your employer or local government guidance for your specific country and employer policy, as private sector practices can vary.
- For long weekends, combine bank holidays with annual leave to maximize time off; many calendars provide the exact substitute days and long-weekend opportunities.
Illustration (example)
- Example for England and Wales 2026: New Year’s Day (Thu Jan 1), Good Friday (Fri Apr 3), Easter Monday (Mon Apr 6), Early May Bank Holiday (Mon May 4), Spring Bank Holiday (Mon May 25), Summer Bank Holiday (Mon Aug 31), Christmas Day (Fri Dec 25), Boxing Day (Mon Dec 28 substitute). Note: check whether Boxing Day is observed on the 28th in your workplace due to weekend rules.
Would you like me to pull the exact 2025–2026 bank holiday calendars for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, or tailor a plan for a specific region or employer? I can summarize the dates in a concise table for your convenience.
Citations
- For region-specific holiday calendars and dates, see government and planning resources and reputable planning guides that list UK bank holidays for 2025–2026. If you want, I can attach exact date mappings from those sources.