UK Bank Holidays 2026 & 2027
Complete bank holiday calendar for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Last Updated: April 2026
When is the Next Bank Holiday?
England & Wales
4 May
Early May Bank Holiday
Scotland
4 May
Early May Bank Holiday
Northern Ireland
4 May
Early May Bank Holiday
See full 2026-2027 calendars below for all dates
Bank Holidays 2026
Select your nation:
Tap a region above to filter dates
| Date | Holiday | Eng & Wal | Scot | NI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2 January | New Year (substitute) | — | ✓ | — |
| 15 March | Mother's Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3 April | Good Friday | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 6 April | Easter Monday | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 4 May | Early May Bank Holiday | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 25 May | Spring Bank Holiday | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3 August | Summer Bank Holiday (Scot) | — | ✓ | — |
| 31 August | Summer Bank Holiday | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 30 November | St Andrew's Day | — | ✓ | — |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 28 December | Boxing Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
England and Wales share the same bank holidays. Scotland and Northern Ireland have additional holidays.
Use our free calculator to work out your exact entitlement in days and hours.
Calculate My Entitlement →Bank Holidays 2027
Select your nation:
Tap a region above to filter dates
| Date | Holiday | Eng & Wal | Scot | NI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2 January | New Year (substitute) | — | ✓ | — |
| 14 March | Mother's Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 26 March | Good Friday | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 29 March | Easter Monday | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 3 May | Early May Bank Holiday | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 31 May | Spring Bank Holiday | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2 August | Summer Bank Holiday (Scot) | — | ✓ | — |
| 30 August | Summer Bank Holiday | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 30 November | St Andrew's Day | — | ✓ | — |
| 14 July | Battle of the Boyne | — | — | ✓ |
| 27 December | Christmas Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 28 December | Boxing Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Use our free calculator to work out your exact entitlement in days and hours.
Calculate My Entitlement →Regional Differences Across the UK
The United Kingdom has different bank holidays for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. While England and Wales share the same 8 bank holidays, Scotland has 9 (adding 2nd January and St Andrew's Day), and Northern Ireland has 10 (adding St Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne). Understanding these differences is essential if you work across different UK nations or employ staff in multiple locations.
England — 8 Bank Holidays
England shares the same bank holiday calendar as Wales, with 8 public holidays per year. The standard holidays are New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. England does not observe the additional holidays celebrated in Scotland and Northern Ireland, which can create confusion for cross-border workers and businesses operating nationally.
Wales — 8 Bank Holidays
Wales mirrors England's bank holiday calendar exactly, with the same 8 public holidays annually. The Welsh Government has occasionally considered additional holidays, particularly St David's Day (1 March), but as of 2025-2026, no additional bank holidays have been introduced. Welsh workers have the same statutory entitlements as their English counterparts.
Scotland — 9 Bank Holidays Plus Local Holidays
Scotland has 9 statutory bank holidays, with two additional days not observed in England and Wales. Scottish workers enjoy 2nd January (as a substitute for New Year's Day when it falls on a weekend) and St Andrew's Day (30 November), celebrating Scotland's patron saint. Scotland also has a tradition of local holidays, where specific towns and cities have additional days off on different dates throughout the year. The Scottish Summer Bank Holiday is celebrated on the first Monday in August, rather than the last Monday in August as in England and Wales.
Northern Ireland — 10 Bank Holidays
Northern Ireland has the most bank holidays in the UK with 10 per year. In addition to the standard 8 holidays, Northern Ireland observes St Patrick's Day (17 March, celebrated on the nearest weekday if it falls on a weekend) and the Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen's Day (12 July). These holidays reflect Northern Ireland's unique cultural and historical heritage. The Battle of the Boyne holiday is particularly significant and is celebrated with parades and commemorations across the province.
Substitute Day Rules
When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday becomes a bank holiday, normally the following Monday. For example, if Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, the substitute holiday is Monday 27 December. This applies across all UK nations, ensuring workers don't lose their bank holiday entitlement when holidays fall on weekends.
Use our free calculator to work out your exact entitlement in days and hours.
Calculate My Entitlement →The History of UK Bank Holidays
Bank holidays were first introduced by the Bank Holidays Act 1871, drafted by Sir John Lubbock, a banker and politician who wanted to give workers more time off. The original Act created four bank holidays in England, Wales and Ireland: Easter Monday, Whit Monday, the first Monday in August, and Boxing Day. Scotland had different dates, reflecting its separate legal traditions.
The term "bank holiday" originated because these were days when banks were closed, meaning no financial transactions could take place. As banking was central to commerce, this effectively meant most businesses closed too. Over time, bank holidays became synonymous with public holidays, though technically not all public holidays are bank holidays.
Significant changes have occurred over the years. The Summer Bank Holiday was moved from the first Monday in August to the last Monday in August in 1971, creating the long weekend we know today. In 1978, New Year's Day became a bank holiday in England and Wales. The Spring Bank Holiday was introduced in 1971, replacing Whit Monday which had previously been celebrated 50 days after Easter.
Special bank holidays have been declared for royal events, including the Queen's Silver Jubilee (1977), Golden Jubilee (2002), Diamond Jubilee (2012), and Platinum Jubilee (2022). Similarly, bank holidays were announced for the Royal Wedding in 2011 and the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. These additional holidays reflect the flexibility of the bank holiday system to mark significant national occasions.
Key Historical Facts
- 1871: Bank Holidays Act creates first official bank holidays
- 1971: Summer Bank Holiday moved to last Monday in August
- 1974: New Year's Day becomes bank holiday in England and Wales
- 2007: St Andrew's Day becomes bank holiday in Scotland
- 2022: Platinum Jubilee bank holiday celebrated in June
Today, the UK has fewer bank holidays than most other European countries. The campaign for an additional bank holiday continues, with various groups advocating for days such as St David's Day (Wales), St George's Day (England), or a national holiday in October to break the long gap between August and Christmas.
Source: Bank Holidays Act 1871 and subsequent amendments; UK Government announcements on special bank holidays.
Bank holidays and your holiday entitlement
There are two ways employers can handle bank holidays:
Model A — Top-up
Bank holidays are given in addition to your statutory entitlement.
28 days + 8 bank holidays = 36 days total
Model B — Inclusive
Bank holidays count as part of your 28 days.
28 days total, 8 are bank holidays = 20 days to book
Check your employment contract to see which model applies to you. There's no legal requirement for either approach.
Use our calculator
Include bank holidays in your holiday calculation:
Frequently Asked Questions
Are UK workers entitled to bank holidays off?
There is no automatic legal right to have bank holidays off work. Entitlement depends on your employment contract. Many workers have bank holidays included in their annual leave, while some contracts give bank holidays in addition to the 28-day minimum.
What's the difference between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland bank holidays?
Each UK nation has different bank holidays. Scotland has January 2nd and St Andrew's Day (November 30th). Northern Ireland has St Patrick's Day (March 17th, when it falls on a weekday) and the Battle of the Boyne (July 14th). England and Wales share the same 8 bank holidays.
What is Holiday Model A vs Model B?
Model A (top-up): Bank holidays are given in addition to your 28-day minimum. For example, 28 days leave + 8 bank holidays = 36 days total. Model B (inclusive): Bank holidays count as part of your 28 days, leaving you fewer days to book freely.
Do bank holidays count towards the 28-day entitlement?
It depends on your contract. Your employer can choose either Model A (included) or Model B (separate). There's no legal requirement for either approach — check your employment contract.
When is the next bank holiday in the UK?
The next bank holiday depends on which UK nation you're in. For England and Wales, upcoming bank holidays include Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, and Summer Bank Holiday. Scotland has additional holidays on 2nd January and St Andrew's Day (30 November). Northern Ireland has St Patrick's Day (17 March) and the Battle of the Boyne (12 July). Check our full calendar above for exact dates.
How many bank holidays are there in 2025 and 2026?
In 2025 and 2026, England and Wales have 8 bank holidays each year. Scotland has 9 bank holidays annually (including 2nd January and St Andrew's Day). Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays per year (adding St Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne). Some years may have additional bank holidays for special events like royal celebrations.
What happens when a bank holiday falls on a weekend?
When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute weekday becomes a bank holiday, usually the following Monday. For example, if Christmas Day (25 December) falls on a Saturday, the bank holiday moves to Monday 27 December. Your employer should inform you of any changes to your working schedule when this happens.
Do I get paid for bank holidays if I work them?
If you work on a bank holiday, there's no automatic right to extra pay. However, your employer may choose to pay premium rates or give time off in lieu. Check your employment contract for details. Some employers offer enhanced pay for bank holiday working, while others treat it as a normal working day.
What is the history of bank holidays in the UK?
Bank holidays were first introduced by the Bank Holidays Act 1871, created by Sir John Lubbock. Originally there were four bank holidays in England, Wales and Ireland: Easter Monday, Whit Monday, the first Monday in August, and Boxing Day. Scotland had different dates. The system has evolved over time, with additional holidays added for events like the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and royal funerals. The Summer Bank Holiday was moved from the first Monday in August to the last Monday in August in 1971.
Do part-time workers get bank holidays?
Yes, part-time workers are entitled to bank holidays, but on a pro-rata basis. If you work part-time, your employer must give you the equivalent of your statutory entitlement including bank holidays. For example, if you work 3 days a week (60% of full-time), you're entitled to 60% of 28 days = 16.8 days total leave, which includes your pro-rata bank holiday entitlement.
Can my employer make me work on bank holidays?
Your employer can require you to work on bank holidays if your contract states this. Many essential services (hospitals, police, retail) require staff to work on bank holidays. If you have to work, your employer should either give you another day off or pay you appropriately. Check your employment contract to understand your specific obligations.
What are the bank holiday dates for England only?
England shares its bank holidays with Wales. In 2025 and 2026, England has 8 bank holidays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. England does not observe St Patrick's Day (Northern Ireland) or St Andrew's Day (Scotland).
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