In This Guide
This guide covers every UK bank holiday question — all 2026 dates for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, May and August bank holidays, which days are and aren't bank holidays, what is open, and your rights around bank holiday pay. When Is the Next UK Bank Holiday?Quick Answer When is the next bank holiday in the UK?The next UK bank holiday after April 2026 is the Early May bank holiday on Monday 4 May 2026. This is followed by the Spring bank holiday on Monday 25 May 2026. The next bank holiday after that is the Summer bank holiday on Monday 25 August 2026. Check the full 2026 list below for all remaining dates. All UK Bank Holiday Dates 2026England and Wales 2026
Scotland 2026
Northern Ireland 2026
Quick Answer How many bank holidays are there in the UK?England and Wales have 8 bank holidays per year. Scotland has 9 bank holidays (the extra one is 2 January and St Andrew’s Day on 30 November). Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays (the extra ones are St Patrick’s Day on 17 March and the Battle of the Boyne on 12 July). The exact number can vary if substitute days are added when a bank holiday falls on a weekend. Always verify current bank holiday dates at gov.uk/bank-holidays as these are confirmed annually. May Bank Holidays 2026Quick Answer When is the May bank holiday 2026?There are two May bank holidays in 2026 in England and Wales: the Early May bank holiday on Monday 4 May 2026, and the Spring bank holiday (late May) on Monday 25 May 2026. Scotland and Northern Ireland also observe both dates.
May bank holiday travel tip: Both May bank holidays are among the busiest travel periods of the year. Book trains, flights and accommodation as early as possible. Prices typically rise 30–50% in the week before each May bank holiday weekend. August Bank Holiday 2026Quick Answer When is the August bank holiday 2026?The August bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is Monday 31 August 2026. In Scotland, the summer bank holiday falls on the first Monday in August — Monday 3 August 2026. Scotland’s August bank holiday is different from the rest of the UK.
Scotland Bank Holidays — Key DifferencesQuick Answer Is today a bank holiday in Scotland?Scotland has different bank holidays to England and Wales. The key differences are: 2 January is a bank holiday in Scotland (not in England/Wales); Easter Monday is NOT a bank holiday in Scotland (it is in England/Wales); the August bank holiday is the first Monday in August in Scotland (last Monday in England/Wales); St Andrew’s Day (30 November) is a bank holiday in Scotland only. Check the full Scotland list above for 2026 dates.
Is It a Bank Holiday? Specific Days AnsweredQuick Answer Is Good Friday a bank holiday?Yes — Good Friday is a bank holiday in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In 2026, Good Friday falls on 3 April 2026. It is one of the few bank holidays where the date changes each year based on the Easter calendar. Quick Answer Is Easter Monday a bank holiday?Yes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland — Easter Monday is a bank holiday. In Scotland, Easter Monday is NOT a bank holiday. In 2026, Easter Monday falls on 6 April 2026 (England, Wales, Northern Ireland only). Quick Answer Is Boxing Day a bank holiday?Yes — Boxing Day (26 December) is a bank holiday across the UK. If Boxing Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute bank holiday is given on the following Monday or Tuesday. In 2026, Christmas Day is on Friday 25 December and Boxing Day on Saturday 26 December — so the substitute bank holiday is Monday 28 December 2026. Quick Answer Is Christmas Eve a bank holiday?No — Christmas Eve (24 December) is not a bank holiday in the UK. Only Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December) are bank holidays. Many employers give Christmas Eve as annual leave by arrangement, but it is not a statutory bank holiday. Quick Answer Is New Year’s Eve a bank holiday?No — New Year’s Eve (31 December) is not a bank holiday in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Only New Year’s Day (1 January) is a bank holiday. In Scotland, 2 January is also a bank holiday, but 31 December is not. Quick Answer Is New Year’s Day a bank holiday?Yes — 1 January (New Year’s Day) is a bank holiday across all of the UK. If it falls on a weekend, a substitute day is given on the next working day. In Scotland, 2 January is also a bank holiday. Quick Answer Is Easter Sunday a bank holiday?No — Easter Sunday itself is not a bank holiday in the UK. Good Friday (the Friday before) and Easter Monday (the Monday after) are bank holidays in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, Good Friday is a bank holiday but Easter Monday is not. Quick Answer Is St Patrick’s Day a bank holiday?St Patrick’s Day (17 March) is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland only. It is not a bank holiday in England, Wales or Scotland. Quick Answer Is Halloween a bank holiday?No — Halloween (31 October) is not a bank holiday anywhere in the UK. It is not recognised as a public holiday. Quick Answer Is the 2nd January a bank holiday?2 January is a bank holiday in Scotland only. It is not a bank holiday in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. In 2026, 2 January falls on a Friday and is a bank holiday in Scotland. Why Are They Called Bank Holidays?Quick Answer Why is it called a bank holiday?The term “bank holiday” comes from the Bank Holidays Act 1871, introduced by Sir John Lubbock. The Act specified days on which the Bank of England and other banks would be closed. Because banks closed, financial transactions could not be settled and other businesses effectively had to close too. The term has stuck ever since, even though the concept now covers all workers, not just bank employees. What Is Open on Bank Holidays?
Quick Answer Do Royal Mail deliver on bank holidays?Royal Mail does not deliver standard letters and parcels on bank holidays. Special Delivery Guaranteed items are not delivered on bank holidays. If a delivery was due on a bank holiday, it will be attempted on the next working day. Parcel Force may operate a limited service on some bank holidays — check royalmail.com for specific dates. Quick Answer Do buses run on bank holidays?Most bus services operate on a Sunday or reduced timetable on bank holidays. Christmas Day often sees minimal or no service. Check with your local operator or use the Traveline journey planner (traveline.info) for specific routes on specific dates. Quick Answer Are doctors open on bank holidays?GP surgeries are closed on bank holidays. For urgent medical needs: call NHS 111 (England) for advice and urgent appointments, visit an urgent treatment centre if available, or go to A&E for genuine emergencies. Pharmacies may be open on a rota basis — NHS 111 can direct you to the nearest open one. Quick Answer Is parking free on bank holidays?It depends entirely on your local council. Many councils make parking free on bank holidays, but some charge the same as normal or apply Sunday rates. Always check the signs at the specific car park or meter — do not assume free parking. Private car parks (NCP, supermarket etc.) typically charge normal rates on bank holidays. Bank Holiday Pay RightsQuick Answer Do you get paid for bank holidays?It depends on your employment contract. There is no automatic legal right to paid bank holidays in the UK. Most full-time employees receive 28 days’ paid holiday per year — this can include the 8 bank holidays. Some contracts give bank holidays on top of annual leave entitlement. Part-time workers are entitled to a pro-rata equivalent. Check your contract. Quick Answer Does 28 days holiday include bank holidays?The statutory minimum is 28 days paid holiday per year for full-time workers (5.6 weeks). Employers can include the 8 bank holidays within this 28-day entitlement — meaning you get 20 days plus 8 bank holidays. Or they can give 28 days plus bank holidays on top (36 days total). Check your contract wording carefully — it must specify whether bank holidays are included or additional. April 2026 Bill Changes UKWhat changed for bills, benefits and costs in April 2026UK Tax Explained 2026Tax on bank holiday pay, overtime and holiday entitlementUK Salary Guide 2026Understand your pay, pro-rata and holiday entitlementBest Savings Accounts UK 2026Make your money work harder during bank holiday downtimeMonzo vs Starling vs RevolutBest digital bank accounts compared Frequently Asked QuestionsWhen is the next bank holiday in the UK? The next bank holiday after April 2026 is the Early May bank holiday on Monday 4 May 2026, followed by the Spring bank holiday on Monday 25 May 2026, then the Summer bank holiday on Monday 31 August 2026. How many bank holidays are there in the UK? England and Wales have 8 bank holidays per year. Scotland has 9 (adds 2 January and St Andrew’s Day). Northern Ireland has 10 (also adds St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne). When is the May bank holiday 2026? There are two May bank holidays in 2026: Early May bank holiday on Monday 4 May 2026, and the Spring bank holiday on Monday 25 May 2026. When is the August bank holiday 2026? Monday 31 August 2026 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Monday 3 August 2026 in Scotland (Scotland’s is the first Monday in August). Is Good Friday a bank holiday? Yes — Good Friday is a bank holiday across all of the UK. In 2026 it falls on 3 April 2026. Is Easter Monday a bank holiday? Yes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Not in Scotland. In 2026 it falls on 6 April 2026. Is Boxing Day a bank holiday? Yes — 26 December is a bank holiday across the UK. If it falls on a weekend, a substitute day is given on the following Monday or Tuesday. Is Christmas Eve a bank holiday? No — 24 December is not a bank holiday in the UK. Only Christmas Day and Boxing Day are bank holidays. Is New Year’s Eve a bank holiday? No — 31 December is not a bank holiday in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Only 1 January is. In Scotland, 2 January is also a bank holiday. Why is it called a bank holiday? The term comes from the Bank Holidays Act 1871, which specified days when the Bank of England and other banks would close. The name has stuck ever since. Do Royal Mail deliver on bank holidays? No — standard deliveries do not take place on bank holidays. Items due on a bank holiday are delivered the next working day. Do you get paid for bank holidays? There is no automatic legal right to paid bank holidays. Most full-time employees receive 28 days paid holiday which may or may not include the 8 bank holidays — check your contract. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Bank holiday dates and banking rules are subject to change. Always verify with gov.uk or your bank. |
UK Bank Holidays 2026 — All Dates, Scotland Differences & What’s Open
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