British Bank Holidays Explained: England, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Understand UK bank holidays across England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, including substitute days, worker rights, traditions and travel.
11 min readUnited Kingdom holiday calendar
Public holidays in United Kingdom 2026
Calendar compilation last reviewed
Plan the year with every United Kingdom public holiday, regional date and major cultural observance in our calendar. Each entry links to a detailed guide covering its history, status, traditions and sources.
- Public holidays
- 6
- Regional dates
- 7
- Observances
- 6
- Substitute dates
- 2
How public holidays work in United Kingdom
The calendar separates public holidays from regional dates and cultural observances. Public holidays are the broadest category in our United Kingdom calendar. Regional holidays may apply only in a particular state, province, territory or community, while an observance does not automatically mean that workplaces, schools or public services close.
2 holidays have a separate substitute or observed date in 2026. Those dates are shown in the table, but entitlements can still depend on location, employer and the governing authority. January, April, November are the busiest months, with 3 listed dates.
United Kingdom holiday dates in 2026
The table lists 19 calendar entries. Follow a holiday name for its full background, observance details and traditions.
| Date | Holiday | Type | Observed day |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s DayThe first bank holiday of the year across the United Kingdom, with especially important Hogmanay traditions in Scotland. | Public holiday | — | |
| 2 JanuaryA Scottish bank holiday that extends the New Year break beyond January 1. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Burns NightA Scottish cultural observance on January 25 celebrating the life, poetry and influence of Robert Burns. | Cultural observance | — | |
| St David’s DayWales’s national day on March 1, honouring Saint David and Welsh language, culture and community. | Cultural observance | — | |
| St Patrick’s DayA Northern Ireland bank holiday on March 17, also widely celebrated as Ireland’s national cultural day. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Good FridayThe Friday before Easter, observed as a bank or public holiday throughout the United Kingdom. | Public holiday | — | |
| Easter MondayA bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on the Monday after Easter; it is not a standard Scottish bank holiday. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| St George’s DayEngland’s national day on April 23, honouring Saint George and English heritage. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Early May Bank HolidayA UK bank holiday on the first Monday in May, often associated with spring and local May Day traditions. | Public holiday | — | |
| Spring Bank HolidayA UK bank holiday on the last Monday in May, creating a late-spring long weekend. | Public holiday | — | |
| Battle of the BoyneA Northern Ireland bank holiday associated with the July 12 Orange commemorations and the 1690 Battle of the Boyne. | Regional public holiday | ||
| Summer Bank HolidayScotland’s summer bank holiday on the first Monday in August. This guide explains the date, background, legal status and customary observance of Summer Bank Holiday in the United Kingdom. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Summer Bank HolidayThe late-August bank holiday for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This guide explains the date, background, legal status and customary observance of Summer Bank Holiday in the United Kingdom. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| HalloweenA widely observed cultural date on October 31 with roots in Samhain and Christian All Hallows traditions. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Guy Fawkes NightA November 5 cultural observance marking the failure of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Remembrance DayA UK day of remembrance on November 11 for service personnel and civilians affected by war. | Cultural observance | — | |
| St Andrew’s DayScotland’s national day on November 30 and a Scottish bank holiday. This guide explains the date, background, legal status and customary observance of St Andrew’s Day in the United Kingdom. | Regional public holiday | — | |
| Christmas DayThe December 25 public holiday observed throughout the United Kingdom. This guide explains the date, background, legal status and customary observance of Christmas Day in the United Kingdom. | Public holiday | — | |
| Boxing DayThe December 26 bank holiday observed across the United Kingdom, with substitute days when necessary. | Public holiday |
Stories behind the dates
Understand United Kingdom holidays and traditions
Go beyond the calendar with editorial guides to public-holiday rules, historical context and the ways people observe important dates.
Sources for United Kingdom holidays
Calendar dates and classifications are checked against the primary calendar sources below. Historical and cultural claims have additional citations on each individual holiday guide.
- gov.ukPrimary calendar source