Public holidays calendar and vacation planner
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Planner

Public Holidays in United Kingdom 2026

Total Public Holidays

13

Weekday: 13Saturday: 0Sunday: 0

Weekends Off

104

Working Days: 248

Your Annual Leave

Total Vacation Days

137

United Kingdom has both nationwide and regional public holidays. Some dates apply only in specific states or provinces. Please check the regional holidays carefully.

Public Holidays in United Kingdom 2026

Filters

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August 2026

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September 2026

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Key Planning Insights for 2026

2026 is looking like a prime year for a work-life balance upgrade in the UK. With a rare one-off holiday in the north and some clever weekend substitutions, you can stretch your annual leave further than usual. Here are the essential insights to master your 2026 schedule.

Scotland’s World Cup "Bonus" Day: Football fans, rejoice! The Scottish Government has proclaimed Monday, June 15, 2026, a one-off bank holiday to celebrate the national team’s return to the World Cup. Whether you’re watching the game or just fancy a long weekend, it’s a gift that only happens in the north this year.

The Boxing Day "In Lieu" Rule: Since Boxing Day (Dec 26) falls on a Saturday in 2026, the official bank holiday is automatically moved to Monday, December 28. The Pro Move: This creates a natural 4-day weekend. If you take four days of leave (Dec 29, 30, 31, and Jan 2), you can score an incredible 10-day holiday by using only half the usual leave.

The August Bank Holiday Split: Don't let the regional dates confuse your travel plans. The UK splits its summer breaks: Scotland observes the Summer Bank Holiday on Monday, August 3, while England, Wales, and Northern Ireland observe it on Monday, August 31. Planning Tip: This is the perfect time for a cross-border "staycation" to avoid the crowds!

Scotland’s Early January Double-Header: Scotland starts the year with a bang (and a lie-in). While the rest of the UK heads back to work on Jan 2nd, Scotland observes it as a public holiday. In 2026, this falls on a Friday, giving Scottish workers a blissful 4-day weekend right out of the gate.

Northern Ireland’s Mid-Year Breaks: Northern Ireland remains the capital of long weekends in 2026. Because the Battle of the Boyne (July 12) lands on a Sunday, the bank holiday is observed on Monday, July 13. Combined with St. Patrick’s Day (Tuesday, March 17), there are plenty of opportunities for mid-week festivities.

Holiday List

  • Jan
    1

    Thursday

    New Year's DayPublic holiday

    New Year's Day

    Nationwide
  • Jan
    2

    Friday

    2 JanuaryPublic holiday

    2 January

    Regional
    Observed in Nations / regions: SCOTLAND
  • Mar
    17

    Tuesday

    Saint Patrick's DayPublic holiday

    Saint Patrick's Day

    Regional
    Observed in Nations / regions: NORTHERN IRELAND
  • Apr
    3

    Friday

    Good FridayPublic holiday

    Good Friday

    Nationwide
  • Apr
    6

    Monday

    Easter MondayPublic holiday

    Easter Monday

    Nationwide
  • May
    4

    Monday

    Early May Bank HolidayPublic holiday

    Early May Bank Holiday

    Nationwide
  • May
    25

    Monday

    Spring Bank HolidayPublic holiday

    Spring Bank Holiday

    Nationwide
  • Jun
    15

    Monday

    World Cup Bank HolidayPublic holiday

    World Cup Bank Holiday

    Regional
    Observed in Nations / regions: SCOTLAND
  • Jul
    12

    Sunday

    Battle of the BoyneObserved but not public holidayWeekend

    In-lieu day off on 13 Jul 2026.

    Battle of the Boyne

    Regional
    Observed in Nations / regions: NORTHERN IRELAND
  • Aug
    3

    Monday

    Summer Bank HolidayPublic holiday

    Summer Bank Holiday

    Regional
    Observed in Nations / regions: SCOTLAND
  • Aug
    31

    Monday

    Summer Bank HolidayPublic holiday

    Summer Bank Holiday

    Regional
    Observed in Nations / regions: ENGLAND, WALES, NORTHERN IRELAND
  • Nov
    30

    Monday

    Saint Andrew's DayPublic holiday

    Saint Andrew's Day

    Regional
    Observed in Nations / regions: SCOTLAND
  • Dec
    25

    Friday

    Christmas DayPublic holiday

    Christmas Day

    Nationwide
  • Dec
    26

    Saturday

    Boxing DayObserved but not public holidayWeekend

    In-lieu day off on 28 Dec 2026.

    Boxing Day

    Nationwide
  • Dec
    28

    Monday

    Boxing DayPublic holiday

    St. Stephen's Day

    Nationwide

Public Holidays in United Kingdom

New Year's Day

1 Jan 2026

New Year’s Day (1 January) follows fireworks and countdowns with a relaxed start to the year, often involving long walks and family lunches. A bank holiday across the entire UK.

2 January

2 Jan 2026

This is a public holiday in United Kingdom.

Saint Patrick's Day

17 Mar 2026

St Patrick's Day (17 March) is a vibrant celebration of Ireland's patron saint, marked with parades, music, and a sea of green. While celebrated globally, it is a public holiday only in Northern Ireland. (Bank holiday in Northern Ireland only)

Good Friday

3 Apr 2026

Good Friday (date varies) is a solemn day observed with church services and hot cross buns. For many, it marks the start of a four-day weekend and the first proper break of spring. A bank holiday across the entire UK.

Easter Monday

6 Apr 2026

Easter Monday (date varies) extends the holiday weekend, often spent on family outings, DIY projects, or simply finishing the last of the chocolate eggs. (Bank holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland only)

Early May Bank Holiday

4 May 2026

Early May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May) signals the arrival of spring with village fetes, maypole dancing, and trips to the garden centre. A welcome day off as the weather warms up. A bank holiday across the entire UK.

Spring Bank Holiday

25 May 2026

Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May) offers a chance for a mini-break before summer, with seaside trips, countryside walks, and city festivals all popular choices. A bank holiday across the entire UK.

World Cup Bank Holiday

15 Jun 2026

This is a public holiday in United Kingdom.

Battle of the Boyne

12 Jul 2026In-lieu day off on 13 Jul 2026.

Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen's Day (12 July) commemorates the 1690 battle with large-scale parades by loyalist marching bands. It's a day of significant cultural and political importance in Northern Ireland. (Bank holiday in Northern Ireland only)

Summer Bank Holiday

3–31 Aug 2026

Summer Bank Holiday (last Monday in August) is the traditional end of the summer holidays, marked by street carnivals (like London's Notting Hill Carnival), last-minute beach trips, and barbecues. (Bank holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland only)

Saint Andrew's Day

30 Nov 2026

St Andrew's Day (30 November) is Scotland's official national day, celebrating its patron saint with a feast of Scottish culture, including traditional music, ceilidh dancing, and dishes like haggis and neeps. (Bank holiday in Scotland only)

Christmas Day

25 Dec 2026

Christmas Day (25 December) is a major cultural and religious holiday centered on family gatherings, festive meals, gift-giving, and the King’s annual Christmas broadcast. A bank holiday across the entire UK.

Boxing Day

26–28 Dec 2026In-lieu day off on 28 Dec 2026.

Boxing Day (26 December) is known for its major retail sales, sporting events (especially football and horse racing), and leisurely walks to burn off the Christmas feast. A bank holiday across the entire UK.

Looking for public holidays in another year?

Browse public holidays for the same country in other years to compare dates and plan ahead.

Your Optimized Vacation Plan

1

Jan 1 - Jan 5

Based on New Year's Day + 2 January

5
Total Days
Leave Used: 1
Efficiency: 5.0x

Request these days off: Jan 5

2

Mar 14 - Mar 22

Based on Saint Patrick's Day

9
Total Days
Leave Used: 4
Efficiency: 2.3x

Request these days off: Mar 16, Mar 18, Mar 19, Mar 20

3

Apr 2 - Apr 7

Based on Good Friday + Easter Monday

6
Total Days
Leave Used: 2
Efficiency: 3.0x

Request these days off: Apr 2, Apr 7

4

May 2 - May 5

Based on Early May Bank Holiday

4
Total Days
Leave Used: 1
Efficiency: 4.0x

Request these days off: May 5

5

May 23 - May 26

Based on Spring Bank Holiday

4
Total Days
Leave Used: 1
Efficiency: 4.0x

Request these days off: May 26

6

Jun 12 - Jun 16

Based on World Cup Bank Holiday

5
Total Days
Leave Used: 2
Efficiency: 2.5x

Request these days off: Jun 12, Jun 16

7

Jul 10 - Jul 14

Based on Battle of the Boyne

5
Total Days
Leave Used: 2
Efficiency: 2.5x

Request these days off: Jul 10, Jul 14

8

Aug 1 - Aug 4

Based on Summer Bank Holiday

4
Total Days
Leave Used: 1
Efficiency: 4.0x

Request these days off: Aug 4

9

Aug 28 - Sep 1

Based on Summer Bank Holiday

5
Total Days
Leave Used: 2
Efficiency: 2.5x

Request these days off: Aug 28, Sep 1

10

Nov 28 - Dec 1

Based on Saint Andrew's Day

4
Total Days
Leave Used: 1
Efficiency: 4.0x

Request these days off: Dec 1

11

Dec 24 - Dec 29

Based on Christmas Day + Boxing Day + Boxing Day (Substitute Day)

6
Total Days
Leave Used: 2
Efficiency: 3.0x

Request these days off: Dec 24, Dec 29

12

Dec 31 - Jan 4

Based on New Year's Day + 2 January + 2nd January (Substitute Day)

5
Total Days
Leave Used: 1
Efficiency: 5.0x

Request these days off: Dec 31