UK Bank Holidays 2026 & 2027
A handy guide to the upcoming bank holidays across the UK
Posted on 08-05-24, updated on 16-07-25By: Sarah R. | 4 minute read
Every year, the UK observes several bank holidays which provide many of us with a day off work to relax, celebrate, and enjoy time with friends and family. In 2026 and 2027, there are a total of eight bank holidays scheduled in England and Wales per year, nine in Scotland and 10 in Northern Ireland, each with its own unique significance, traditions and special events, and often school holidays scheduled around them. Whether it's Christmas Day, Easter Monday, one of the May bank holidays or the August Bank Holiday, these public holidays offer the perfect opportunity to unwind and celebrate throughout the year. Let's take a closer look at the specific dates of the UK bank holidays in 2026 and 2027, so you can make the most of these special days off! Plus, scroll down to the bottom of the page to find answers to all your bank holiday questions.
Looking for the perfect place to celebrate the next bank holiday? Browse our holidays to find a range of luxury lodges, family-friendly holiday parks and dog-friendly cottages to suit your needs.
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2026 UK Bank Holidays
England & Wales Bank Holidays 2026
New Year's Day: Thursday 1st January
Good Friday: Friday 3rd April
Easter Monday: Monday 6th April
Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4th May
Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25th May
Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 31st August
Christmas Day: Friday 25th December
Boxing Day: Monday 28th December (substitute)
Scotland Bank Holidays 2026
New Year's Day: Thursday 1st January
Good Friday: Friday 3rd April
Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4th May
Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25th May
Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 3rd August
St Andrews Day: Monday 30th November
Christmas Day: Friday 25th December
Boxing Day: Monday 28th December (substitute)
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2026
New Year's Day: Thursday 1st January
St Patrick's Day: Tuesday 17th March
Good Friday: Friday 3rd April
Easter Monday: Monday 6th April
Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4th May
Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25th May
Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day): Monday 13th July (substitute)
Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 31st August
Christmas Day: Friday 25th December
Boxing Day: Monday 28th December (substitute)
2027 UK Bank Holidays
England and Wales Bank Holidays 2027
New Year's Day: Friday 1st January
Good Friday: Friday 26th March
Easter Monday: Monday 29th March
Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 3rd May
Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 31st May
Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 30th August
Christmas Day: Friday 25th December
Boxing Day: Monday 28th December (substitute day)
Scotland Bank Holidays 2027
New Year's Day: Friday 1st January
2nd January Bank Holiday: Monday 4th January
Good Friday: Friday 26th March
Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 3rd May
Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 31st May
Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 2nd August
St. Andrew's Day: Tuesday 30th November
Christmas Day: Monday 27th December (substitute)
Boxing Day: Tuesday 28th December (substitute)
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2027
New Year's Day: Friday 1st January
St. Patrick's Day: Wednesday 17th March
Good Friday: Friday 26th March
Easter Monday: Monday 29th March
Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 3rd May
Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 31st May
Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day): Monday 12th July (substitute)
Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 30th August
Christmas Day: Monday 27th December
Boxing Day: Tuesday 28th December (substitute)
UK Bank Holiday FAQs
How many bank holidays are there in 2026 and 2027?
In 2026 and 2027, there are 8 bank holidays in England and Wales, 9 bank holidays in Scotland, and 10 bank holidays in Northern Ireland.
Is there an extra bank holiday in May in 2026?
No, there are the standard 2 bank holidays in May in 2026: the Early May Bank Holiday on Monday 4th May and the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday 25th May. In 2023, there was an extra bank holiday to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.
Why is the 2nd January a bank holiday in Scotland?
Scotland has a bank holiday on 2 January to mark the day after New Year's Day, and to allow people to recover from their Hogmanay/New Year celebrations without taking any annual leave. The date was introduced as a public holiday in the 1970s, due to the significance of New Year celebrations in Scotland, which were historically even bigger than Christmas.
What happens if a bank holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday?
If a bank holiday is due to fall on a weekend, it will instead be observed on a weekday, which is usually the following Monday. For example, if Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the Monday will be the public holiday. If Christmas Day (25 December) falls on a Sunday and Boxing Day (26 December) falls on a Monday - both bank holidays - then it will be the Tuesday that is the substitute day for the Christmas holiday.
Are UK bank holidays a statutory right?
According to GOV.UK, employers do not have to give bank holidays or public holidays as paid leave, so you do not have an automatic right to these days off. It is at the employer's discretion whether they are included as part of an employee's statutory annual leave.
Are there different bank holidays around the UK?
Yes. While England and Wales currently have the same bank holidays in 2026 and 2027, Scotland and Northern Ireland have extra bank holidays. This is because Scotland celebrates a bank holiday on 2nd January and for St. Andrew's Day, although Scotland doesn't have the Easter Monday bank holiday. Northern Ireland has the same bank holidays as England and Wales, with the addition of St. Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne.
Is anything open on a bank holiday?
Most businesses and non-essential services are either closed on UK public holidays and bank holidays, or operating a limited service/different opening hours, so it's always best to check in advance. For example, many shops and supermarkets may be closed or have shorter opening hours compared to usual.
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