How Many Bank Holidays in 2026? Full List of UK Dates You Should Know

Last Updated on October 3, 2025 by BusinAssist Editorial Team

UK bank holidays are generally public holidays when businesses are closed for the day. As the year comes to an end, you may want to know how many UK bank holidays are in 2026, to help you plan your calendar.

UK bank holidays may slightly differ between Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales, so it is essential to understand the differences to plan accurately. While public holidays may be consistent in other countries, in the UK, they may slightly differ from previous years; hence, waiting for the holidays to be confirmed and publicly announced by the government.

This article will list all the UK bank holidays and explore how they are confirmed.

How UK bank holidays are confirmed

Common laws: Some holidays are conventional, such as Good Friday and Christmas Day. These holidays are considered by law to be traditional days for resting.

Statutory holiday: Some holidays are established by specific legislation, such as the Banking and Financial Dealing Acts 1971.

Royal proclamation: also done under the Banking and Financial Dealing Acts 1971, the monarch can decide to proclaim additional bank holidays.

Bank holidays across the UK in 2026

Apart from the conventional holidays, the constant bank holidays across the UK include the Early May Bank Holiday 2026 and the Spring Bank Holiday.

Bank holidays in England and Wales

Bank holidays in Scotland

Scotland’s August Bank Holiday 2026 is on a different date from the other countries. Scotland will be on the 3rd, while other countries are on the 31st. Other unique days include 2nd January and St Andrew’s Day, which should be noted by people living in Scotland or visiting, since businesses close or open in reduced hours to celebrate cultural events.

Bank Holidays in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has a cultural public holiday, which is St. Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne Day, that locals celebrate to commemorate the country’s heritage.

Maximize your annual leave in 2026

Make the most of your 2026 yearly leave by planning ahead. Align your time off with public holidays to build longer vacations, taking extra days next to a Friday or Monday can result in an extended weekend. To avoid issues, familiarize yourself with your company’s leave policy, including carry-over and required provisions.

Consider taking time off during quieter periods for a stress-free break, and always book early to ensure your desired dates. Finally, make plans around important holidays to spend meaningful time with family and friends.

To conclude, now that the UK bank holidays 2026 have been confirmed, people can plan their holidays as early as now. The holidays are ideal for family time, vacations, and a short break from the busy bustle of the work week. If you’re visiting the UK for work, these holidays can serve as an opportunity to explore what Great Britain has to offer.

It is important to note that bank holidays are not the same across the UK, since each country within it has additional holidays. Most of the holidays fall on Monday, creating long weekends. To enjoy extended time off, you can book annual leave before and after a bank holiday.

 FAQs

Q: How many bank holidays are there in 2026?
Ans: There are 15 bank holidays across the UK in 2026. The holidays include New Year’s Day (January 1), Good Friday (April 3), Easter Monday (April 6), Early May Bank Holiday (May 4), Spring Bank Holiday (May 25), Summer Bank Holiday (August 31), Christmas Day (December 25), and Boxing Day (December 28).

Q: How many bank holidays are there between April 2025 and March 2026?
Ans: In the UK, there are 15 bank holidays between April 2025 and March 2026.

Q: When are the bank holidays in May 2026?
Ans: In May, there are two bank holidays nationwide: they include the Early May Bank Holiday on May 4th and the Spring Bank Holiday on May 25th.

Q: When is the August bank holiday 2026?
Ans: There are two August Bank Holidays, on the 3rd in Scotland and on the 31st in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Q: When are the Easter holidays 2026?
Ans: Easter holidays consist of Good Friday and Easter Monday. In 2026, the Easter holidays will be on 3rd and 6th April.

Q: Is 1st January 2026 a bank holiday?
Ans: Yes, 1st January 2026 is a New Year’s bank holiday nationwide.

Q: When is Spring Bank Holiday 2026​?
Ans: The Spring Bank Holiday in 2026 will be on May 25th nationwide.

Q: When can you book 2026 holidays?
Ans: You can start booking your 2026 holidays as early as now, since they have already been confirmed by the government.

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Joy Kyalo

Joy is a content writer at BusinAssist with 6+ years of experience in content marketing and social media strategy. She specialises in company formation and virtual operations, guiding entrepreneurs through global markets with clarity, drawing on her marketing and PR background. Business Assist with BusinAssist – your business success partner.