UK Bank Holidays 2026 — Complete List

Bank holidays in the United Kingdom are public holidays on which banks and many businesses close for the day. Originally established under the Bank Holidays Act 1871, these days off have become a cornerstone of British working life, affecting everything from retail trading hours to salary payment schedules. For anyone who relies on regular pay, understanding when bank holidays fall in 2026 is essential for managing cash flow and avoiding unexpected gaps between payments.

One of the most important things to understand about UK bank holidays is that they are not uniform across the entire country. England and Wales share the same set of eight bank holidays, but Scotland and Northern Ireland each have their own additional dates. Scotland observes January 2 as a bank holiday and celebrates St Andrew's Day on November 30, while Northern Ireland recognizes St Patrick's Day on March 17 and the Battle of the Boyne on July 13. This means the total number of bank holidays ranges from eight to ten depending on where you work.

When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute day is designated on the next available weekday. In 2026, Christmas Day falls on a Friday and Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, so Monday, December 28 becomes the substitute bank holiday for Boxing Day. This substitute-day rule ensures that workers do not lose a day off simply because the calendar date happens to land on a non-working day.

Bank holidays directly affect the BACS payment system, which processes the vast majority of UK salary payments. BACS requires three working days to clear a payment, and those working days exclude weekends and bank holidays. If your employer submits payroll too close to a bank holiday, your payment may be delayed. Most employers account for this by submitting payroll earlier so that funds arrive in your account on or before the bank holiday rather than after it.

The calendar below lists every 2026 bank holiday for England and Wales, with notes about differences in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Use this alongside your pay schedule to identify any months where your pay date might shift due to a bank holiday closure.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next bank holiday in 2026?

The first bank holiday of 2026 in England and Wales is New Year's Day on Thursday, January 1. After that, the next bank holiday is Good Friday on April 3, followed by Easter Monday on April 6. Scotland's schedule differs slightly, with January 2 also recognized as a bank holiday. The answer to which bank holiday is next for you depends on the current date and which part of the United Kingdom you live or work in, so use the calendar on this page for the most up-to-date countdown.

How many bank holidays in 2026 UK?

England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026. Scotland has 9 bank holidays because it observes January 2 and St Andrew's Day (November 30) but does not observe Easter Monday. Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays because it observes St Patrick's Day (March 17) and the Battle of the Boyne (July 13) in addition to most of the England and Wales dates. The exact count can vary if the government declares additional one-off holidays for special occasions such as royal events, though none have been announced for 2026.

Are bank holidays the same across the UK?

No, bank holidays differ between the four nations of the United Kingdom. England and Wales share the same schedule. Scotland has its own variations, including an additional day on January 2 and St Andrew's Day on November 30, while not observing Easter Monday. Northern Ireland observes St Patrick's Day on March 17 and the Battle of the Boyne on July 13, which are not holidays in the rest of the UK. If you work for a company that operates across multiple parts of the UK, your employer's policy will determine which regional calendar applies to you.

Do bank holidays affect my pay date?

Yes, bank holidays can affect your pay date because banks in the UK do not process BACS payments on bank holidays. BACS is the system used for the vast majority of UK salary payments, and it requires three working days to process a transaction. If your normal pay date falls on a bank holiday, your employer will typically move the payment date earlier so that it clears before the holiday. For monthly-paid employees this usually means receiving your salary one working day before the bank holiday. If you are paid weekly, the adjustment is similar but the effect is smaller since there is less time between payments.

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