The full bank holiday schedule for 2026 has been confirmed, with officials having to move one key date

With only two bank holidays left in 2025, you might already be planning your well-earned breaks for the forthcoming year. These public holidays don’t always fall on the same dates, as they’re largely influenced by movable events such as Easter and weekends.

The public is being notified of a significant change in the dates for 2026 – with Boxing Day moving. In 2025, Boxing Day falls on December 26 – however, in 2026 it will shift to December 28 as a ‘substitute day’ because the 26th is a Saturday.

Regrettably, there are currently no new plans to add extra bank holidays to the eight already scheduled in England and Wales for 2026, due to a lack of significant national celebrations on the horizon. However, many Brits will be pleased to know that the first one of 2026 will be on January 1, which isn’t too far away.

Following this, the next holidays will take place on April 3 for Good Friday, then April 6 for Easter Monday. These dates are notably different from the seasonal holidays in 2025, with Good Friday having been on April 18 and Easter Monday on April 21.

The remaining five bank holidays in England and Wales will then occur in May, August and December of 2026. A detailed list of their exact dates is provided below:, reports the Liverpool Echo, reports Essex Live.

England and Wales bank holidays for 2026:

• January 1, Thursday, New Year’s Day
• April 3, Friday, Good Friday
• April 6, Monday, Easter Monday
• May 4, Monday, Early May bank holiday
• May 25, Monday, Spring bank holiday
• August 31, Monday, Summer bank holiday
• December 25, Friday, Christmas Day
• December 28, Monday, Boxing Day (substitute day)

The Boxing Day bank holiday in 2026 has been designated as a ‘substitute day’ due to the actual holiday falling on a weekend. Employers are not required to provide paid leave on these substitute days or bank holidays, so it’s advisable to check beforehand.

Further guidance on GOV.UK explains: “If a bank holiday is on a weekend, a ‘substitute’ weekday becomes a bank holiday, normally the following Monday. Your employer does not have to give you paid leave on bank or public holidays. Bank holidays might affect how and when your benefits are paid.”

Scottish residents will have nine bank holidays in 2026, while those living in Northern Ireland will get 10. This difference is largely due to additional celebrations and commemorations, such as St Patrick’s Day and St Andrew’s Day.

Bank holidays for Scotland in 2026 include:

• January 1, Thursday, New Year’s Day
• January 2, Friday, 2nd January
• April 3, Friday, Good Friday
• May 4, Monday, Early May bank holiday
• May 25, Monday, Spring bank holiday
• August 3, Monday, Summer bank holiday
• November 30, Monday, St Andrew’s Day
• December 25, Friday, Christmas Day
• December 28, Monday, Boxing Day (substitute day)

For Northern Ireland, the 2026 bank holidays are:

• January 1, Thursday, New Year’s Day
• March 17, Tuesday, St Patrick’s Day
• April 3, Friday, Good Friday
• April 6, Monday, Easter Monday
• May 4, Monday, Early May bank holiday
• May 25, Monday, Spring bank holiday
• July 13, Monday, Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) (substitute day)
• August 31, Monday, Summer bank holiday
• December 25, Friday, Christmas Day
• December 28, Monday, Boxing Day (substitute day)

Forward planners can also begin looking at their 2027 bank holidays, as the Government has already published its forthcoming schedule. More details are available on the Government’s website.