Overview
- Because 26 December 2026 falls on a Saturday, the Boxing Day bank holiday moves to Monday 28 December under the substitute-day rule.
- England and Wales will observe eight bank holidays in 2026 on 1 Jan, 3 Apr, 6 Apr, 4 May, 25 May, 31 Aug, 25 Dec, and 28 Dec (Boxing Day substitute).
- Scotland’s 2026 list adds Second January on 2 Jan and St Andrew’s Day on 30 Nov to the shared dates of 1 Jan, 3 Apr, 6 Apr, 4 May, 25 May, 31 Aug, 25 Dec, and 28 Dec.
- Northern Ireland’s 2026 schedule includes St Patrick’s Day on 17 Mar and the Battle of the Boyne substitute day on 13 Jul, alongside the shared dates including 28 Dec for Boxing Day.
- The government site also notes that in 2027 Christmas and Boxing Day fall on weekend days, so the substitute bank holidays will be on 27 and 28 December.