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holidays13 min

Published on 2026-01-08

By BaseCalendar Editorial Team

UK Bank Holidays 2026 Calendar | England, Scotland, Wales & NI

Complete UK bank holidays 2026 guide. All dates for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Free printable calendar with bank holidays marked.

Planning your 2026 leave around UK bank holidays is the smartest way to maximise your annual leave. This guide covers all bank holidays across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland — plus strategies to turn 25 days of annual leave into 50+ days off.

2026 UK Bank Holidays — England & Wales

Bank HolidayDateDay
New Year's Day1 JanuaryThursday
Good Friday3 AprilFriday
Easter Monday6 AprilMonday
Early May Bank Holiday4 MayMonday
Spring Bank Holiday25 MayMonday
Summer Bank Holiday31 AugustMonday
Christmas Day25 DecemberFriday
Boxing Day28 DecemberMonday

View interactive calendar: 2026 UK Holiday Calendar

Scotland Additional Bank Holidays 2026

Scotland observes 2 January (Friday) and St Andrew's Day (30 November, Monday) in addition to most English bank holidays. The August bank holiday in Scotland falls on the first Monday (3 August) rather than the last.

How to Maximise Your Annual Leave in 2026

With strategic booking, you can turn 25 days of leave into 50+ days off:

  • Easter: Book 6-10 April (4 days leave) → 10 consecutive days off
  • May: Book 5-8 May (4 days) → 9 days off including both May bank holidays
  • Christmas: Book 21-24 Dec + 29-31 Dec (5 days) → 11 consecutive days off

Plan your PTO with our Vacation Calculator and check working days with the Working Days Calculator.

Download Your 2026 UK Calendar

FAQ

How many bank holidays does the UK have in 2026?

England and Wales have 8 bank holidays. Scotland has 9 (adding 2 January and St Andrew's Day, but not Easter Monday). Northern Ireland has 10 (adding St Patrick's Day and Battle of the Boyne).

Where can I get a free UK calendar with bank holidays?

Download from our UK Holiday Calendar or printable calendar collection.

Start Planning Today

Download our free printable calendars and put these tips into practice immediately.

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