If you are an employee in the UK, understanding public holidays is key to making the most of your annual leave. In 2026 there are several bank holidays across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. By taking annual leave adjacent to bank holidays, you can create longer breaks with fewer leave days. For example, if a bank holiday falls on a Monday, booking the preceding Friday or the following Tuesday can give you a 4-day weekend for just 1 annual leave day!
Keep this calendar handy to schedule your time off strategically.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | All UK |
| 2 Jan 2026 | Friday | 2nd January Bank Holiday | Scotland only |
| 3 Apr 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | All UK |
| 6 Apr 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday | England, Wales, Northern Ireland |
| 17 Mar 2026 | Tuesday | St Patrick’s Day | Northern Ireland only |
| 4 May 2026 | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday May Day | All UK |
| 25 May 2026 | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday | All UK |
| 13 Jul 2026 | Monday | Battle of the Boyne Orangemen’s Day | Northern Ireland only |
| 3 Aug 2026 | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday | Scotland only |
| 31 Aug 2026 | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday | England, Wales, Northern Ireland |
| 30 Nov 2026 | Monday | St Andrews Day | Scotland only |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | All UK |
| 28 Dec 2026 | Monday | Boxing Day substitute day | All UK |
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