Overview

• England and Wales will observe eight bank holidays on Jan 1, Apr 3, Apr 6, May 4, May 25, Aug 31, Dec 25 and Dec 28 (Boxing Day substitute).
• The shift follows the substitute-day rule that moves a public holiday to the next weekday when it falls on a weekend.
• Scotland keeps additional observances including Jan 2 and St Andrew’s Day on Nov 30, and Northern Ireland includes St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne.
• Outlets report no confirmed plans for any extra UK‑wide bank holidays in 2026 beyond the standard schedule.
• Planning guides highlight ways to bunch annual leave around Easter, May and Christmas, though employers are not legally required to offer paid bank-holiday leave.