UK Bank Holidays 2026

UK Bank Holidays May 2026

May 2026 is the only month in the year where every part of the UK gets two bank holidays. The early May bank holiday falls on Monday 4 May and the spring bank holiday on Monday 25 May. Both land on Mondays, creating a pair of three-day weekends across the month. For those willing to use some annual leave, the three weeks between the two holidays offer one of the best leave-stretching opportunities in the 2026 calendar — four days of leave between the bank holidays can deliver a nine-day break.

May 2026 Bank Holiday Dates

DateDayHolidayRegion
4 May 2026MondayEarly May Bank HolidayEngland, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
25 May 2026MondaySpring Bank HolidayEngland, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

Key Holidays Explained

Early May Bank Holiday 2026

The early May bank holiday is fixed to the first Monday of May each year. In 2026 that is Monday 4 May. It applies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The three-day weekend runs from Saturday 2 May to Monday 4 May. The early May bank holiday replaced the traditional May Day holiday when it was moved to a Monday in 1978.

Spring Bank Holiday 2026

The spring bank holiday falls on the last Monday of May. In 2026 that is Monday 25 May. It is a UK-wide bank holiday, applying equally to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The three-day weekend runs from Saturday 23 May to Monday 25 May. Unlike the early May bank holiday, the spring bank holiday can occasionally be moved — most recently it was shifted in 2002 and 2012 for the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees.

Regional Differences in May 2026

May 2026 is one of the rare months where there are no regional differences. Both bank holidays — 4 May and 25 May — apply across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Every worker entitled to bank holidays in the UK gets the same two Mondays off in May 2026.

Quick Summary – May 2026 Bank Holidays

  • All UK regions: 2 bank holidays — Monday 4 May and Monday 25 May
  • Both holidays fall on Mondays, giving two automatic three-day weekends
  • Taking Tuesday 5 – Friday 8 May as leave creates a nine-day break (2–10 May)
  • No regional variation — the same dates apply across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland
  • May has more bank holidays than any other month in 2026 for whole-UK coverage

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the early May bank holiday in 2026?

The early May bank holiday in 2026 is on Monday 4 May. It falls on the first Monday of May and applies across the whole of the UK — England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

When is the spring bank holiday in 2026?

The spring bank holiday in 2026 is on Monday 25 May. It falls on the last Monday of May and is a bank holiday for England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Shops and many businesses will be closed or running reduced hours.

How many bank holidays are in May 2026?

May 2026 has 2 bank holidays across the whole of the UK: the early May bank holiday on 4 May and the spring bank holiday on 25 May. This makes May the only month in 2026 with two bank holidays that apply equally to all four UK nations.

Is the May bank holiday the same date in Scotland?

Yes. Both May bank holidays — 4 May and 25 May 2026 — are the same in Scotland as in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. May is one of the few months where there are no regional differences in UK bank holiday dates.

How can I make the most of the May 2026 bank holidays?

By taking Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6, Thursday 7, and Friday 8 May as annual leave, you can turn the two May bank holiday weekends into a single nine-day break running from Saturday 2 May to Sunday 10 May. That is nine consecutive days off for just four days of annual leave — one of the most efficient holiday stretches available in 2026.

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