England and Wales Bank Holidays 2026
There are 8 bank holidays in England and Wales in 2026.
Next bank holiday
Christmas Day
Friday 25 December 2026 · 45 days away
As of 10 November 2026 (UTC). This page is rebuilt daily.
All England and Wales bank holidays in 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 3 April 2026 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 April 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 4 May 2026 | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 25 May 2026 | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 31 August 2026 | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 25 December 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day Next |
| 28 December 2026 | Monday | Boxing Day Substitute day (26 December is a Saturday) |
2026 at a glance
Bank Holidays
8
On a weekday
8
Working days
253
Long weekends
5
Working days = 261 weekdays in 2026 minus the 8 bank holidays that fall Monday to Friday. Regional, part-day and optional days are not deducted. For a custom range, use the business days calculator.
Long weekends in England and Wales in 2026
- 4 days off: Friday 3 April 2026 to Monday 6 April 2026 (Good Friday, Easter Monday)
- 3 days off: Saturday 2 May 2026 to Monday 4 May 2026 (Early May bank holiday)
- 3 days off: Saturday 23 May 2026 to Monday 25 May 2026 (Spring bank holiday)
- 3 days off: Saturday 29 August 2026 to Monday 31 August 2026 (Summer bank holiday)
- 4 days off: Friday 25 December 2026 to Monday 28 December 2026 (Christmas Day, Boxing Day)
A long weekend is three or more days in a row made up of Saturdays, Sundays and full-day bank holidays.
When a holiday falls on a weekend
When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a “substitute day” is given, normally the following Monday. When Christmas Day and Boxing Day both fall on a weekend, the substitute days are Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December. The substitute days are listed above.
Not bank holidays in England and Wales
- St George’s Day (23 April)
- St David’s Day (1 March)
Good to know
- Wales shares the England list: St David’s Day is not a bank holiday.
- The Summer bank holiday is the last Monday in August, not the first Monday as in Scotland.
Compare other nations in 2026
| Where | Bank Holidays | Working days |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | 10 | 251 |
| Northern Ireland | 10 | 251 |
Frequently asked questions
How many bank holidays are there in England and Wales in 2026?
There are 8 bank holidays in England and Wales in 2026. 8 of them fall on a weekday.
When is the next bank holiday in England and Wales?
The next one is Christmas Day on Friday 25 December 2026, 45 days away (as of 10 November 2026).
How many working days are there in England and Wales in 2026?
253. 2026 has 261 weekdays (Monday to Friday), and 8 bank holidays fall on a weekday, leaving 253. Regional, part-day and optional holidays are not deducted.
What happens when a bank holiday falls on a weekend in England and Wales?
When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a “substitute day” is given, normally the following Monday. When Christmas Day and Boxing Day both fall on a weekend, the substitute days are Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December. The substitute days are listed above.
Is St George’s Day a bank holiday in England and Wales?
No. St George’s Day (23 April) is not one of the bank holidays in England and Wales, although some employers give it as an extra day off.
Sources
Dates checked against these official sources on 6 November 2026. Governments can add or move holidays (for royal, sporting or national events), and your own entitlement depends on your contract and the rules that cover your workplace, so confirm with your employer or the source above before you book leave. This page is general information, not legal or payroll advice.