UK Bank Holidays 2026

UK Bank Holidays January 2026

January 2026 opens the year with New Year’s Day on Thursday 1 January, a bank holiday across the whole of the UK. Scotland goes one step further: Friday 2 January is also a statutory bank holiday there, making it the only part of the UK with a two-day New Year public holiday. The Thursday date of New Year’s Day creates a straightforward opportunity for a four-day break in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland — just one day of annual leave bridges the gap to the weekend.

January 2026 Bank Holiday Dates

DateDayHolidayRegion
1 January 2026ThursdayNew Year’s DayEngland, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
2 January 2026Friday2nd JanuaryScotland only

Key Holidays Explained

New Year’s Day 2026

New Year’s Day falls on Thursday 1 January 2026 and is a bank holiday throughout the UK. Banks, government offices, and most businesses will be closed. Because the day falls on a Thursday, workers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland can take Friday 2 January as annual leave to create a four-day break running from Thursday to Sunday — an efficient use of a single day’s leave at the start of the year.

2nd January 2026 (Scotland)

Scotland is the only part of the UK where Friday 2 January is a statutory bank holiday. This goes back to Scotland’s historically strong New Year traditions — Hogmanay celebrations often ran into the early hours of 2 January, and the extra holiday was formalised to reflect this. In 2026, the combination of 1 and 2 January gives Scottish workers a four-day break (Thursday to Sunday) with no annual leave required.

Regional Differences in January 2026

England and Wales

January 2026 has 1 bank holiday in England and Wales: New Year’s Day on Thursday 1 January. The 2nd January is a normal working day. Workers who want a four-day start to the year must take Friday 2 January as annual leave.

Scotland

Scotland has 2 bank holidays in January 2026: New Year’s Day (1 January) and 2nd January (2 January). No annual leave is needed for the four-day New Year break. Scotland’s 2nd January holiday has been a statutory bank holiday since the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has 1 bank holiday in January 2026: New Year’s Day on Thursday 1 January. Like England and Wales, 2 January is a standard working day. Workers wanting an extended New Year break need to use annual leave on the Friday.

Quick Summary – January 2026 Bank Holidays

  • England and Wales: 1 bank holiday — New Year’s Day, Thursday 1 January
  • Scotland: 2 bank holidays — New Year’s Day (1 Jan) and 2nd January (2 Jan)
  • Northern Ireland: 1 bank holiday — New Year’s Day, Thursday 1 January
  • Scotland gets an automatic four-day New Year break; the rest of the UK needs 1 day of leave
  • No other bank holidays fall in January 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What day is New Year’s Day 2026?

New Year’s Day 2026 falls on a Thursday. This is a bank holiday for the whole of the UK — England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It means the new year begins with a mid-week day off, making Friday 2 January a popular choice for annual leave.

Is 2nd January a bank holiday in England?

No. The 2nd January bank holiday applies only to Scotland. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, Friday 2 January 2026 is a normal working day. Workers in these regions who want a four-day start to the year will need to take it as annual leave.

How many bank holidays are there in January 2026?

January 2026 has 1 bank holiday for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (New Year’s Day), and 2 bank holidays for Scotland (New Year’s Day and 2nd January). There are no other bank holidays in January across any part of the UK.

Why does Scotland have a bank holiday on 2 January?

Scotland’s 2nd January bank holiday reflects the cultural significance of Hogmanay — the Scottish New Year celebration. Traditionally, celebrations continued well into 2 January, and the day off was recognised in law to acknowledge this. The holiday has been in place since the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 and remains unique to Scotland within the UK.

Is New Year’s Day a bank holiday in Northern Ireland?

Yes. New Year’s Day on Thursday 1 January 2026 is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland, as it is across the whole UK. However, 2 January is not a bank holiday in Northern Ireland — unlike in Scotland.

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