Holidays in United Kingdom 2026

United Kingdom observes 8 bank holidays in 2026. 8 fall on a weekday and 0 land on a weekend, leaving 253 working days across the year on the national-only count.

2026 bank holidays calendar

Date	Day	Holiday	Notes
Jan 1	Thursday	New Year's Day	New Year's Day on Thursday January 1 is a strong bridge-day candidate; many employers grant the Friday as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
Apr 3	Friday	Good Friday	Good Friday on Friday April 3 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 6	Monday	Easter Monday	Easter Monday on Monday April 6 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
May 4	Monday	Early May Bank Holiday	Early May Bank Holiday on Monday May 4 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
May 25	Monday	Spring Bank Holiday	Spring Bank Holiday on Monday May 25 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Aug 31	Monday	Summer Bank Holiday	Summer Bank Holiday on Monday August 31 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Dec 25	Friday	Christmas Day	Christmas Day on Friday December 25 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Dec 28	Monday	Boxing Day (observed)	Boxing Day (observed) on Monday December 28 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.

2026 year summary

Total days

365

Weekend days

104

Bank holidays on weekdays

Working days

253

All 8 bank holidays land on weekdays in 2026, producing the maximum working-day reduction United Kingdom typically sees in a non-leap year. The UK observes 8 bank holidays in England and Wales under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. Banks, BACS, and CHAPS-aligned settlement systems close on these days.

Holidays not included

Scotland's August Bank Holiday (first Monday of August) and St Andrew's Day (November 30) are not in this England and Wales-aligned set. Northern Ireland's Battle of the Boyne (July 12) is also excluded. For Scotland or Northern Ireland-only contracts, layer the regional dates into the Advanced options.

Other years

United Kingdom holidays 2024 United Kingdom holidays 2025 United Kingdom holidays 2027 United Kingdom holidays 2028 United Kingdom business day calculator Working days in 2026 Holiday data methodology

← United Kingdom business day calculator United Kingdom 2025 holidays United Kingdom 2027 holidays →

United Kingdom Holidays 2026 - FAQ

How many bank holidays does United Kingdom have in 2026?

United Kingdom observes 8 bank holidays in 2026. Of those, 8 fall on a weekday and 0 land on a weekend. The complete list with dates and weekday placements is in the calendar table above.

How many working days does United Kingdom have in 2026?

United Kingdom has 253 working days in 2026 on the national-only count, after subtracting 104 weekend days and 8 weekday-falling bank holidays. Regional or industry-specific holidays may further reduce the count for narrower contract definitions.

Which 2026 bank holiday dates fall on a weekday?

8 of United Kingdom's 8 bank holidays in 2026 fall on a weekday and reduce the working days count: New Year's Day (Thursday, January 1); Good Friday (Friday, April 3); Easter Monday (Monday, April 6); Early May Bank Holiday (Monday, May 4); Spring Bank Holiday (Monday, May 25); Summer Bank Holiday (Monday, August 31); Christmas Day (Friday, December 25); Boxing Day (observed) (Monday, December 28).