UK Public Holidays 2026: Complete List of Bank Holidays in England, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland

If you’re planning travel, business activities, or simply organizing your year, knowing the UK public holidays in 2026 is essential. In the United Kingdom, public holidays are officially known as Bank Holidays - a term widely used across the country.

Each of the four nations - England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland - has its own official holiday calendar, although England and Wales follow the same schedule.

Below is the full and updated list of UK Bank Holidays 2026, clearly separated by region.

Bank Holidays 2026 in England and Wales

England and Wales share identical public holiday dates.

Key Notes:

• Boxing Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday in 2026, so the substitute bank holiday will be observed on Monday, 28 December.
• Most schools, banks, government offices, and many businesses close on these days.

Scotland Bank Holidays 2026

Scotland observes several different dates compared to England and Wales.

What’s Different in Scotland?

• Easter Monday is not a nationwide bank holiday.
• Summer Bank Holiday is on the first Monday of August.
• Scotland celebrates St Andrew’s Day on 30 November.

Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2026

Northern Ireland has two additional public holidays.

Additional Notes:

• St Patrick’s Day (17 March) is a public holiday unique to Northern Ireland.
• The Battle of the Boyne is traditionally 12 July, but in 2026 it falls on a Sunday, so the holiday is observed on Monday, 13 July.

Summary of UK Public Holidays 2026

Here’s how the nations compare:

• England & Wales - Same bank holiday schedule
• Scotland - Extra holidays on 2 January and St Andrew’s Day
• Northern Ireland - Extra holidays on St Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne

Employment Laws Around Public Holidays in the UK

In the United Kingdom, Bank Holidays are not automatically guaranteed days off. Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, full-time employees are entitled to 5.6 weeks (28 days) of paid annual leave per year, and Bank Holidays may be included within this allowance depending on the employment contract.

Employers are not legally required to provide extra pay for working on a Bank Holiday unless it is stated in the contract. However, many companies offer higher pay or time off in lieu as part of their policy.

Part-time employees are entitled to paid leave on a pro-rata basis and must not be treated less favourably than full-time staff.

Since rules can vary by contract, employees should always check their terms of employment to understand their specific holiday rights.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the UK Bank Holidays 2026 calendar helps businesses plan operations, employees schedule leave, and travelers organize trips across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Since dates vary slightly between regions, always check the correct nation’s schedule before making arrangements.

More in Public Holidays:

Public Holidays in the USA

Public Holidays in the UAE

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