The next bank holiday in England, Wales and Scotland will be two weeks earlier than it was in 2025 and is less than two months away while in Northern Ireland it is even closer
The next bank holiday in England, Wales and Scotland arrives two weeks earlier this year compared to 2025 and is now less than two months away. In Northern Ireland, the next national day off is even closer.
Usually, England and Wales enjoy eight bank holidays in any given year, unless there’s a special occasion such as the King’s Coronation in 2023, when an additional bank holiday was granted.
In Scotland, there are typically nine, whilst in Northern Ireland residents get 10. The festive periods – Christmas, New Year and Easter – are accounted for alongside other dates throughout the year.
In 2026, there will be some adjustments. Whilst for most the days will remain the same as every year – although the actual dates shift by a day – there are three bank holidays that have been moved.
The first two relate to Easter, which this year falls two weeks earlier than it did in 2025. Secondly, there will be a substitute bank holiday on December 28, as Boxing Day lands on a Saturday in 2026.
The complete list for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is below.
Bank holidays in England and Wales in 2026
1 January, New Year’s Day
3 April, Good Friday
6 April, Easter Monday
4 May, Early May bank holiday
25 May, Spring bank holiday
31 August, Summer bank holiday
25 December, Christmas Day
28 December, Boxing Day (substitute day)
Bank holidays in Scotland in 2026
1 January, New Year’s Day
2 January, 2nd January
3 April, Good Friday
4 May, Early May bank holiday
25 May, Spring bank holiday
3 August, Summer bank holiday
30 November, St Andrew’s Day
25 December, Christmas Day
28 December, Boxing Day (substitute day)
Bank holidays in Northern Ireland in 2026
1 January, New Year’s Day
17 March, St Patrick’s Day
3 April, Good Friday
6 April, Easter Monday
4 May, Early May bank holiday
25 May, Spring bank holiday
13 July, Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) (substitute day)
31 August, Summer bank holiday
25 December, Christmas Day
28 December, Boxing Day (substitute day)
