England and Wales Bank Holidays 2026
England and Wales share the same bank holidays. In 2026, there are 8 bank holidays for these regions. This page lists all official dates to help you plan your year.
Bank Holidays in England and Wales 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 4 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 25 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 31 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day |
| 28 December | Monday | Boxing Day (substitute) |
How England and Wales Differs from Scotland
England and Wales do not observe 2nd January or St Andrew’s Day, which are bank holidays in Scotland. The summer bank holiday in England and Wales falls on the last Monday of August (31 August 2026), whereas Scotland observes it on the first Monday of August (3 August 2026).
How England and Wales Differs from Northern Ireland
England and Wales do not observe St Patrick’s Day (17 March) or the Battle of the Boyne (13 July 2026), which are bank holidays in Northern Ireland. Otherwise, the bank holidays are the same.
Boxing Day Substitute
Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December 2026. The substitute bank holiday is therefore Monday 28 December 2026.