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).
- Scotland’s 2026 list totals nine days, adding Second January and St Andrew’s Day, with Boxing Day observed on Monday 28 December.
- Northern Ireland’s ten days include St Patrick’s Day and a substitute Battle of the Boyne on Monday 13 July, with Boxing Day also on Monday 28 December.
- Employers are not required to provide paid leave on bank holidays, and most workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks’ paid holiday each year under UK rules.
- Regional outlets report no additional national bank holidays are planned for 2026, and government listings already show 27 and 28 December as substitute days in 2027.