UK bank holidays
The next bank holiday in England and Wales is
Christmas Day
Friday 25 December 2026, in 85 days
England and Wales bank holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Bank holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 4 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 25 May | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 31 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day |
| 28 December | Monday | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
England and Wales bank holidays 2027
| Date | Day | Bank holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Friday | New Year's Day |
| 26 March | Friday | Good Friday |
| 29 March | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 3 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 31 May | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 30 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 27 December | Monday | Christmas Day (substitute day) |
| 28 December | Tuesday | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
In 2027 Christmas Day falls on a Saturday and Boxing Day on a Sunday, so both bank holidays move to the following Monday and Tuesday. The official list is published by GOV.UK; one-off holidays, such as for a coronation, are announced separately.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland has 9 bank holidays. It adds 2 January and St Andrew's Day (30 November, or the next Monday if it falls at a weekend). Its summer bank holiday is the first Monday in August, and Easter Monday is not a bank holiday. In 2026 that means Friday 2 January, Monday 3 August and Monday 30 November, plus a one-off World Cup bank holiday on Monday 15 June, making 10 that year. In 2027: Monday 4 January (substitute for 2 January), Monday 2 August and Tuesday 30 November. Full list: Scotland bank holidays.
Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays: the 8 in England and Wales plus St Patrick's Day (17 March) and the Battle of the Boyne (12 July). In 2026 these are Tuesday 17 March and Monday 13 July, a substitute because 12 July is a Sunday. In 2027 they are Wednesday 17 March and Monday 12 July. Full list: Northern Ireland bank holidays.
How bank holiday dates are set
Most dates follow fixed rules. The early May bank holiday is the first Monday in May, the spring bank holiday is the last Monday in May and the summer bank holiday is the last Monday in August. Good Friday and Easter Monday move with Easter. If New Year's Day, Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls at a weekend, a substitute weekday is given.
See every bank holiday in context on the 2026 calendar or 2027 calendar, or count working days around them with the working days calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many bank holidays are there in the UK?
England and Wales have 8 bank holidays a year, Scotland has 9 and Northern Ireland has 10, unless an extra one-off holiday is announced, as Scotland had for the World Cup on 15 June 2026.
What is a substitute day?
When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a weekday is given instead, usually the following Monday. In 2026 Boxing Day is a Saturday, so the bank holiday is Monday 28 December.
Do I get paid for bank holidays?
There is no legal right to paid time off on bank holidays. Employers can include them in the 5.6 weeks of statutory annual leave most workers get. Check your contract.
Are shops open on bank holidays?
Most are, often with shorter hours. In England and Wales, large shops (over 280 square metres) must close on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. In Scotland, large shops must close on Christmas Day.