As the new year unfolds, workers across the United Kingdom are turning their attention to planning their time off for 2026. A key strategy for making the most of your holiday allowance involves cleverly aligning your booked leave with the upcoming bank holidays.
The Complete 2026 Bank Holiday Calendar
The number of public holidays you get depends on where you live in the UK. For England and Wales, there are eight bank holidays scheduled. Scotland enjoys a slight advantage with nine days, while Northern Ireland tops the list with a total of ten bank holidays this year.
Here is the essential list for every nation:
England and Wales Bank Holidays 2026
Thursday, January 1 - New Year's Day
Friday, April 3 - Good Friday
Monday, April 6 - Easter Monday
Monday, May 4 - Early May Bank Holiday
Monday, May 25 - Spring Bank Holiday
Monday, August 31 - Summer Bank Holiday
Friday, December 25 - Christmas Day
Monday, December 28 - Boxing Day (substitute day)
Scotland Bank Holidays 2026
Thursday, January 1 - New Year's Day
Friday, January 2 - 2nd January
Friday, April 3 - Good Friday
Monday, May 4 - Early May Bank Holiday
Monday, May 25 - Spring Bank Holiday
Monday, August 3 - Summer Bank Holiday
Monday, November 30 - St Andrew's Day
Friday, December 25 - Christmas Day
Monday, December 28 - Boxing Day (substitute day)
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2026
Thursday, January 1 - New Year's Day
Tuesday, March 17 - St Patrick's Day
Friday, April 3 - Good Friday
Monday, April 6 - Easter Monday
Monday, May 4 - Early May Bank Holiday
Monday, May 25 - Spring Bank Holiday
Monday, July 13 - Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day, substitute day)
Monday, August 31 - Summer Bank Holiday
Friday, December 25 - Christmas Day
Monday, December 28 - Boxing Day (substitute day)
Strategies to Maximise Your Annual Leave
The secret to a longer break lies in strategic booking. By placing your annual leave days around a bank holiday, you can create an extended period off while using fewer of your allotted leave days. For instance, taking four days of annual leave from Tuesday 5th to Friday 8th May, when the Early May bank holiday falls on Monday the 4th, grants you a nine-day consecutive break.
This approach works perfectly for the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday 25th May and the Summer Bank Holiday. Early planning is crucial, as it allows you to secure these prime dates before your colleagues and ensures you have your ideal holidays locked in for the year ahead.
Plan Early for the Best Results
Whether you dream of a summer getaway, a festive family gathering, or several mini-breaks, understanding the 2026 bank holiday layout is your first step. With the dates now in hand, you can start plotting how to make your annual leave entitlement work hardest for you. Checking your workplace's policy and submitting requests promptly will help turn these calendar opportunities into reality.
