UK Bank Holidays 2026 & 2027
There are 8 statutory bank holidays in England and Wales in 2026, 9 in Scotland, and 10 in Northern Ireland. When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a “substitute” weekday becomes an official public bank holiday.
Statutory Nations & Jurisdictions
England & Wales
8 standard public holidays for England & Wales.
Scotland
Includes 2 January and St Andrew’s Day holidays.
Northern Ireland
Includes St Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne.
Bank Holidays 2026 (England & Wales)
Official statutory holidays for calendar year 2026.
| Bank Holiday | Date | Status / Countdown |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday 1 January 2026 | Passed |
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April 2026 | Passed |
| Easter Monday | Monday 6 April 2026 | Passed |
| Early May bank holiday | Monday 4 May 2026 | Passed |
| Spring bank holiday | Monday 25 May 2026 | Passed |
| Summer bank holiday | Monday 31 August 2026 | Passed |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25 December 2026 | In 60 days |
| Boxing DaySubstitute Day | Monday 28 December 2026 | In 63 days |
Bank Holidays 2027 (England & Wales)
Official statutory holidays for calendar year 2027.
| Bank Holiday | Date | Status / Countdown |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Friday 1 January 2027 | In 67 days |
| Good Friday | Friday 26 March 2027 | In 151 days |
| Easter Monday | Monday 29 March 2027 | In 154 days |
| Early May bank holiday | Monday 3 May 2027 | In 189 days |
| Spring bank holiday | Monday 31 May 2027 | In 217 days |
| Summer bank holiday | Monday 30 August 2027 | In 308 days |
| Christmas DaySubstitute Day | Monday 27 December 2027 | In 427 days |
| Boxing DaySubstitute Day | Tuesday 28 December 2027 | In 428 days |
How UK Bank Holidays Work: Rules & Substitutions
Weekend Substitute Days
Under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, if a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute weekday becomes an official public bank holiday, normally the following Monday. For example, if Boxing Day falls on a Sunday, Monday 27 December becomes the substitute bank holiday.
Employee Statutory Entitlements
Bank holidays do not have to be given as paid leave in the UK. An employer can choose whether to include bank holidays as part of a worker's statutory annual leave entitlement (5.6 weeks under the Working Time Regulations 1998).