Public Holidays in United Kingdom 2026 🇬🇧
United Kingdom has 8 public holidays in 2026; the next one is Christmas Day on Fri, Dec 25, 2026.
- 8public holidays 2026
- 4long weekends
- 1on a weekend
- Mondaymost common weekday
Weekend in United Kingdom: Saturday and Sunday.
Public holidays in 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 1 Jan | Thursday | New Year's Day | Public holiday | |
| Fri 3 Apr | Friday | Good Friday | Public holiday | |
| Mon 6 Apr | Monday | Easter Monday | Public holiday | |
| Mon 4 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday | Public holiday | |
| Mon 25 May | Monday | Spring bank holiday | Public holiday | |
| Fri 25 Dec | Friday | Christmas Day | Public holiday | |
| Sat 26 Dec | Saturday (weekend) | Boxing Day | Public holiday | |
| Mon 28 Dec | Monday | Boxing Day (substitute day) | Substitute day |
Long weekends and bridge days in 2026
Breaks of three days or more where a public holiday meets the weekend:
- Fri 3 Apr – Mon 6 Apr · 4 days off · Good Friday, Easter Monday
- Sat 2 May – Mon 4 May · 3 days off · Early May bank holiday
- Sat 23 May – Mon 25 May · 3 days off · Spring bank holiday
- Fri 25 Dec – Mon 28 Dec · 4 days off · Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Boxing Day (substitute day)
Make it longer with a day or two of leave
- Take Fri 2 Jan off → 4 days in a row (Thu 1 Jan – Sun 4 Jan) · New Year's Day
Counted from the public holidays above and a Saturday and Sunday weekend. Individual employers, schools and regions may differ.
Regional holidays in 2026
On top of the national list, these public holidays apply only in some parts of United Kingdom:
| Date | Holiday | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 2 Jan | January 2nd | Scotland |
| Tue 17 Mar | St Patrick's Day | Northern Ireland |
| Sun 12 Jul | Battle of the Boyne, Orangemen’s Day | Northern Ireland |
| Mon 13 Jul | Battle of the Boyne (substitute day) | Northern Ireland |
| Mon 3 Aug | Summer bank holiday | Scotland |
| Mon 31 Aug | Summer bank holiday | England, Northern Ireland, Wales |
| Mon 30 Nov | St Andrew’s Day | Scotland |
| Tue 15 Dec | Homecoming Day | Alderney |
Public holidays in 2027
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 1 Jan | Friday | New Year's Day | Public holiday |
| Fri 26 Mar | Friday | Good Friday | Public holiday |
| Mon 29 Mar | Monday | Easter Monday | Public holiday |
| Mon 3 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday | Public holiday |
| Mon 31 May | Monday | Spring bank holiday | Public holiday |
| Sat 25 Dec | Saturday | Christmas Day | Public holiday |
| Sun 26 Dec | Sunday | Boxing Day | Public holiday |
| Mon 27 Dec | Monday | Christmas Day (substitute day) | Substitute day |
| Tue 28 Dec | Tuesday | Boxing Day (substitute day) | Substitute day |
2027 brings 5 long weekends: Fri 1 Jan – Sun 3 Jan (3 days); Fri 26 Mar – Mon 29 Mar (4 days); Sat 1 May – Mon 3 May (3 days); Sat 29 May – Mon 31 May (3 days); Sat 25 Dec – Tue 28 Dec (4 days).
Observances and other dates in 2026 (3)
Widely marked days that are not days off for most workers.
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 15 Mar | Sunday | Mother's Day | Observance |
| Sun 5 Apr | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Observance |
| Sun 21 Jun | Sunday | Father's Day | Observance |
Questions about holidays in United Kingdom
- How many public holidays does United Kingdom have in 2026?
- 8 public or bank holidays are listed for 2026, and 9 for 2027.
- How many 2026 holidays fall on a weekend in United Kingdom?
- 1 — Boxing Day (Saturday). 1 substitute day is listed: Boxing Day (substitute day) on Mon 28 Dec.
- How many long weekends are there in United Kingdom in 2026?
- 4 breaks of three days or more are created by public holidays: Fri 3 Apr – Mon 6 Apr (4 days); Sat 2 May – Mon 4 May (3 days); Sat 23 May – Mon 25 May (3 days); Fri 25 Dec – Mon 28 Dec (4 days).
More on United Kingdom
Time and time zones in United Kingdom · Sunrise and sunset times · Regions of United Kingdom · 2026 calendar · All countries