UK bank holidays 2026

British public holidays, known as bank holidays, are not exactly the same throughout the United Kingdom. England and Wales generally have 8 bank holidays per year, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have different calendars.

If you are planning a trip to London, you should therefore check the England and Wales calendar. These dates can affect transport, shop and attraction opening hours, particularly at Christmas and during long weekends.

Bank holidays in England and Wales in 2026

In 2026, the official bank holidays in England and Wales are:

1. Thursday 1 January - New Year's Day
2. Friday 3 April - Good Friday
3. Monday 6 April - Easter Monday
4. Monday 4 May - Early May Bank Holiday
5. Monday 25 May - Spring Bank Holiday
6. Monday 31 August - Summer Bank Holiday
7. Friday 25 December - Christmas Day
8. Monday 28 December - Boxing Day substitute bank holiday

Bank holidays in England and Wales in 2027

If you are already planning a trip for the following year, the official dates are:

1. Friday 1 January - New Year's Day
2. Friday 26 March - Good Friday
3. Monday 29 March - Easter Monday
4. Monday 3 May - Early May Bank Holiday
5. Monday 31 May - Spring Bank Holiday
6. Monday 30 August - Summer Bank Holiday
7. Monday 27 December - Christmas Day substitute bank holiday
8. Tuesday 28 December - Boxing Day substitute bank holiday

Are bank holidays the same throughout the UK?

No. The United Kingdom is made up of four nations, and their calendars differ. England and Wales share the same calendar, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have additional bank holidays or holidays held on different dates.

Bank holidays in Scotland

Scotland has several differences. 2 January is a bank holiday, as is St Andrew's Day around 30 November. The Scottish Summer Bank Holiday takes place in early August, while it falls at the end of August in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

By contrast, Easter Monday is not included in Scotland's national bank holiday calendar.

The calendar can also include exceptional holidays. In 2026, a World Cup bank holiday is scheduled in Scotland for Monday 15 June.

Bank holidays in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has two bank holidays that do not appear in the England and Wales calendar: St Patrick's Day on 17 March and the Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, associated with 12 July. A substitute day may apply when one of these dates falls on a weekend.

What is a Bank Holiday?

The term bank holiday refers to an official public holiday in the United Kingdom. Its name comes from the Bank Holidays Act 1871, which introduced several days on which banks were permitted to close.

The current legal framework is based mainly on the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. Additional days can also be declared for exceptional occasions, particularly major national events.

This was the case for the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and the coronation of King Charles III in 2023.

What happens when a bank holiday falls on a weekend?

When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a replacement weekday, known as a substitute day, may become the official bank holiday.

This does not move the celebration itself. In 2026, for example, Boxing Day still takes place on Saturday 26 December, but its substitute bank holiday is Monday 28 December.

At Christmas, the combination of Christmas Day and Boxing Day can result in two substitute days when 25 and 26 December fall over a weekend. This happens in 2027, when the official bank holidays are Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December.

What are the main Bank Holiday traditions?

Not all bank holidays have the same traditions. Some correspond to religious or family celebrations, while others have mainly become long weekends for leisure activities and days out.

• Good Friday and Easter Monday fall around the Easter weekend, a period associated with family meals and Easter egg hunts.
• Boxing Day, on 26 December, is now associated with family gatherings, football and post-Christmas sales.
• Summer Bank Holiday, at the end of August in England and Wales, marks one of the major long weekends at the end of summer. In London, it traditionally coincides with Notting Hill Carnival.

Travelling in the UK during a Bank Holiday

A bank holiday does not mean that everything is closed. In London, many museums, attractions, restaurants and shops remain open, sometimes with adjusted opening hours. This varies depending on the bank holiday and the venue.

Transport requires a little more attention. Rail operators regularly use long weekends to carry out engineering works, which can lead to service changes or replacement routes. At Christmas, disruption is much greater: services can be very limited or stop entirely on certain days and lines.

If you have a reservation, train or flight to catch, check the timetable a few days before travelling rather than relying on the usual schedule.

Long weekends can also attract more visitors to certain destinations across the UK. For a trip to London, booking the most popular attractions in advance can help you avoid relying on same-day availability.

FAQ about UK bank holidays

How many bank holidays are there in the UK?

There is no single number that applies throughout the United Kingdom. England and Wales generally have 8 bank holidays per year. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own calendars, with additional or different bank holidays.

Are bank holidays the same in England and Scotland?

No. Scotland has a bank holiday on 2 January, St Andrew's Day and a Summer Bank Holiday in early August. Easter Monday, however, is not included in its national bank holiday calendar.

Are shops closed on Bank Holidays?

Not necessarily. Many shops remain open on bank holidays, particularly in London. Opening hours may be reduced, however, and some businesses choose to close.

Does public transport run on Bank Holidays?

Yes, in most cases, but timetables may change and rail engineering works are regularly scheduled over long weekends. Christmas is a special case, with much more significant service disruption.

Are employees automatically entitled to a day off on a Bank Holiday?

No. In the UK, employers are not legally required to provide paid leave specifically because a day is a bank holiday. Bank holidays can be included as part of the annual leave entitlement set out in an employment contract.

What does substitute bank holiday mean?

It is a weekday used as a replacement bank holiday when a bank holiday falls on a weekend. The date of the celebration itself does not change: only the official day off is moved.

Summary

Bank holidays vary between the different nations of the United Kingdom. For a trip to London, you should refer to the England and Wales calendar, which generally includes eight bank holidays per year.

These days do not necessarily mean that shops and attractions are closed, but they can affect opening hours and transport. Before travelling on a bank holiday, check the opening hours of the places you plan to visit and any potential disruption affecting your journey.