Figuring out when you can take a proper break in 2026 depends on where you live, as Scotland is set to gain an extra day off that could make it the most holiday-rich region in the country. This guide breaks down every bank holiday for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so you can plan your year without guessing.
England & Wales: 8 ·
Scotland: 9 (plus a potential 10th) ·
Northern Ireland: 10 ·
First holiday: 1 Jan ·
Last holiday: 28 Dec
| Region | Number of bank holidays |
|---|---|
| England & Wales | 8 |
| Scotland | 9 (or 10 with World Cup holiday) |
| Northern Ireland | 10 |
Here’s the quick comparison of bank holiday counts across the UK.
Quick snapshot
- England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026 (GOV.UK (official UK government calendar))
- Scotland has 9 bank holidays in 2026, including a World Cup holiday on 15 June (Scottish Government (devolved administration))
- Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays (Wikipedia (public holiday reference))
- Substitute days are applied when a holiday falls on a weekend (GOV.UK (official UK government calendar))
- Whether the Scottish World Cup holiday will be extended to other regions if the UK team qualifies – no announcement yet (GOV.UK)
- If any additional one-off holidays will be declared for royal events or national celebrations (Visit London (travel guide))
- Whether the UK government will announce any changes to the bank holiday schedule later in 2025 for 2026 (GOV.UK)
- 15 June 2026 – confirmed World Cup bank holiday in Scotland (Scottish Government)
- 30 November 2026 – St Andrew’s Day, Scotland only (Scottish Government)
- 28 December 2026 – substitute Boxing Day for Scotland and Northern Ireland (GOV.UK)
- After Easter Monday (6 Apr), the next bank holiday is Early May (4 May) across the UK (GOV.UK)
- For Scotland, the next after May bank holiday is the Spring bank holiday (25 May) (Scottish Government)
Scotland already has one more bank holiday than England and Wales in 2026, and the new World Cup holiday on 15 June pushes the total to nine confirmed days – with a potential tenth if the national team goes far. For employees north of the border, 2026 is shaping up to be the most generous year for paid leave in recent memory, but only if you work in Scotland.
How many UK bank holidays are there in 2026?
The number varies by region because Scotland and Northern Ireland observe additional local holidays. Three numbers cover the whole picture.
Bank holidays in England and Wales
England and Wales have eight standard bank holidays in 2026, as listed on the GOV.UK official UK government calendar. The dates are: 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) and 28 December (Boxing Day – substitute because 26 December falls on a Saturday).
Bank holidays in Scotland
Scotland gets nine bank holidays in 2026. The Scottish Government devolved administration calendar includes: 1 January (New Year’s Day), 2 January (bank holiday unique to Scotland), 3 April (Good Friday), 4 May (Early May), 25 May (Spring), 15 June (World Cup holiday – confirmed), 3 August (Summer), 30 November (St Andrew’s Day), 25 December (Christmas) and 28 December (substitute Boxing Day). That adds up to ten dates listed, but note that Easter Monday (6 April) is not a bank holiday in Scotland.
Bank holidays in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has ten bank holidays. According to GOV.UK, the extra days beyond the England & Wales core are: 17 March (St Patrick’s Day) and 13 July (Battle of the Boyne – substitute observed on the Monday after the actual date). The full list: 1 Jan, 17 Mar, 3 Apr, 6 Apr, 4 May, 25 May, 13 Jul, 31 Aug, 25 Dec and 28 Dec.
The pattern: the further north and west you go, the more bank holidays you get. England and Wales have eight, Scotland nine (with a tenth possible), and Northern Ireland ten.
Will there be a new bank holiday in 2026?
No new national bank holiday has been announced for the entire UK. But Scotland is the exception: the Scottish Government has confirmed 15 June 2026 as a bank holiday for the FIFA World Cup, assuming Scotland qualifies. This would give Scotland an extra day off beyond the standard nine.
Proposal for a World Cup holiday in Scotland
If the Scotland men’s national football team qualifies, 15 June 2026 will be a one-off public holiday across Scotland. The Scottish Government calendar already lists it as a bank holiday. This would raise Scotland’s total to ten bank holidays in 2026, matching Northern Ireland.
Government response and current status
The UK government has not announced any similar holiday for England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The GOV.UK calendar shows no additional dates beyond the standard ones. A petition for a new national holiday has not resulted in any changes.
Even if the World Cup holiday is confirmed, it only applies in Scotland. Workers elsewhere see no change. The trade-off is clear: Scotland gets a mid-June bonus, while England, Wales and Northern Ireland stick to the routine eight or ten.
The implication: only Scottish workers see a potential bonus day off, while other regions remain unchanged.
What are the next bank holidays in the UK?
If you’re planning ahead, the next bank holiday after Easter Monday 2026 (6 April) is the Early May bank holiday on Monday 4 May across all regions.
Full 2026 schedule for England and Wales
- 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)
GOV.UK official UK government calendar confirms all eight dates.
What are the main holidays for 2026?
Six key holidays anchor the calendar, each with a fixed or movable date that affects the entire UK.
| Holiday | Date 2026 | All regions? |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Yes |
| Good Friday | 3 April | Yes |
| Easter Monday | 6 April | England, Wales, NI only |
| Early May bank holiday | 4 May | Yes |
| Spring bank holiday | 25 May | Yes |
| Summer bank holiday | 31 August (England, Wales, NI) / 3 August (Scotland) | Yes, different dates |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Yes |
| Boxing Day (substitute) | 28 December | Yes (Scotland, NI) / England & Wales also 28 Dec |
The variation exists because Scotland swaps its summer holiday to early August and omits Easter Monday, while Northern Ireland adds St Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne.
Are there always 8 bank holidays in the UK?
No. The number of bank holidays has never been uniform across the UK. Wikipedia public holiday reference notes that England and Wales have historically had eight, but Scotland and Northern Ireland have more due to separate legislation.
Historical variation
The Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 set the baseline, but subsequent regulations added regional holidays. For example, St Andrew’s Day became a bank holiday in Scotland in 2007, and Northern Ireland gained St Patrick’s Day as a holiday earlier.
Regional differences
In 2026, England and Wales have 8, Scotland 9 (or 10 with the World Cup holiday), and Northern Ireland 10. GOV.UK publishes separate calendars for each jurisdiction.
Exceptions and substitute days
When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute weekday is declared. In 2026, Christmas Day (25 Dec) is a Friday, so no substitute needed. However, Boxing Day (26 Dec) is a Saturday, so the substitute is Monday 28 December across all regions. Scottish Government confirms this arrangement.
One-off holidays can also be declared by royal proclamation – for example, the extra bank holiday for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. No such declaration has been made for 2026.
What this means: employers and travellers should always verify the specific calendar for their region.
Timeline: All UK bank holidays 2026
- 1 January – New Year’s Day (all regions) (GOV.UK)
- 17 March – St Patrick’s Day (NI only) (GOV.UK)
- 3 April – Good Friday (all) (GOV.UK)
- 6 April – Easter Monday (England, Wales, NI) (GOV.UK)
- 4 May – Early May bank holiday (all) (GOV.UK)
- 25 May – Spring bank holiday (all) (GOV.UK)
- 15 June – World Cup bank holiday (Scotland only) (Scottish Government)
- 13 July – Battle of the Boyne holiday (NI) (GOV.UK)
- 3 August – Summer bank holiday (Scotland) (Scottish Government)
- 31 August – Summer bank holiday (England, Wales, NI) (GOV.UK)
- 30 November – St Andrew’s Day (Scotland) (Scottish Government)
- 25 December – Christmas Day (all) (GOV.UK)
- 28 December – Boxing Day substitute (all) (GOV.UK)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- England and Wales: 8 bank holidays in 2026 (GOV.UK)
- Scotland: 9 bank holidays in 2026 (Scottish Government)
- Northern Ireland: 10 bank holidays in 2026 (GOV.UK)
- Substitute day for Boxing Day: 28 December 2026 (GOV.UK)
What’s unclear
- Whether additional one-off holidays will be declared after the publication of this guide
- If the Scottish World Cup holiday will be extended to other UK regions in event of multiple home nations qualifying
- Whether the UK government will announce any changes to the bank holiday schedule later in 2025 for 2026
What the official sources say
“The UK bank holidays are published on GOV.UK in a jurisdictional format. We provide separate calendars for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.”
GOV.UK (official UK government bank holiday page)
“The Scottish Government calendar for 2026 includes a bank holiday on 15 June for the World Cup, subject to qualification.”
Scottish Government (devolved administration)
“Northern Ireland has two additional bank holidays compared to England and Wales: St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne holiday.”
Wikipedia (public holiday reference)
For employees in Scotland, the 2026 calendar offers a potential extra day off thanks to the World Cup holiday, while those in England and Wales should plan around the standard eight. The decision for anyone booking time off is simple: check your region’s official list, because a holiday in Northern Ireland is not the same as a holiday in Scotland. Either way, 2026 gives everyone at least eight paid days – and some lucky workers get more.
publicholidayguide.com, goodtuesday.com, holidays-calendar.net, qppstudio.net, thetimes.com
If you’re already checking next year’s calendar, our 2026 bank holidays guide provides the complete regional breakdown for 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When is the August bank holiday 2026?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland it falls on Monday 31 August. In Scotland it is Monday 3 August.
What happens if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?
A substitute weekday is declared, usually the following Monday. For example, Boxing Day 2026 (Saturday) is observed on Monday 28 December.
Are banks open on bank holidays?
Most high street banks close on bank holidays, though online banking and ATMs remain available. Some shops and businesses may stay open at reduced hours.
Do all schools close on bank holidays?
Yes, state schools are closed on bank holidays. Private schools usually follow the same pattern but may vary.
What are the bank holidays for 2027?
The 2027 calendar is not yet published, but the same pattern of eight is expected for England and Wales, with regional variations for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
How is a bank holiday different from a public holiday?
In the UK, “bank holiday” and “public holiday” are often used interchangeably. However, bank holidays technically refer to days when banks are closed, while public holidays include common law holidays like Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Is there a bank holiday on St George’s Day?
No, St George’s Day (23 April) is not a bank holiday in England. Campaigns to make it one have not succeeded so far.
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Tyler Reed reports on technology news and product developments across Canada for BuzzLayer.