Bank holidays in the UK are important dates for employees, employers, schools, and businesses. They affect working hours, annual leave, payroll, and public services across the country. Whether you are planning a holiday, managing staff, or checking the next UK bank holiday, knowing the official UK bank holiday dates helps you stay organised.

The United Kingdom does not have one national holiday calendar. England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland each have their own bank holidays. Some holidays, such as Christmas Day and Good Friday, are widely observed, while others are observed only in specific regions.

What Is a Bank Holiday in the UK?

A bank holiday is an official public holiday when many banks, government offices, schools, and businesses close or operate with reduced hours.

The term “bank holiday” comes from the Bank Holidays Act 1871, which introduced official holidays for banks and certain public institutions. Today, bank holidays affect much more than banking. Many public services, schools, and private businesses also observe them.

Although people often use the terms bank holidays UK, public holidays UK, and statutory holidays interchangeably, they do not always mean the same thing. A bank holiday is a day recognised by law. Whether an employee receives the day off or extra pay depends on their employment contract.

Common UK bank holidays include:

• New Year’s Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Early May Bank Holiday
• Spring Bank Holiday
• Summer Bank Holiday
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day

Some regions celebrate additional holidays. For example, Scotland observes St Andrew’s Day, while Northern Ireland observes St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day).

England and Wales Bank Holidays in 2026

England and Wales have eight official bank holidays in 2026. These public holidays apply throughout both countries and are recognised by the UK government. Most banks, public offices, schools, and many private businesses either close or operate reduced hours on these dates. Employees should check their employment contract because paid leave on bank holidays is not an automatic legal right. 

These bank holidays help employees plan annual leave, businesses organise staffing, and families arrange holidays. If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the government usually announces a substitute bank holiday on the next working day. Boxing Day falls on Saturday, so the substitute holiday is observed on Monday, 28 December.

Many public services close on these dates, including local councils, courts, and most schools. Supermarkets, hospitals, airports, restaurants, and emergency services often remain open with adjusted operating hours.

Scotland Bank Holidays in 2026

Scotland has nine national bank holidays in 2026. Unlike England and Wales, Scotland celebrates additional public holidays that reflect Scottish traditions and legislation. Some local councils also observe extra local holidays, so dates can vary depending on the area. 

Scotland follows its own bank holiday calendar. The country celebrates St Andrew’s Day on 30 November and recognises 2 January as an additional New Year holiday. Scotland also observes its Summer Bank Holiday on the first Monday in August, while England, Wales, and Northern Ireland celebrate it later in the month.

Some employers and local authorities also recognise regional public holidays that are not observed nationwide. Employees should always check local council calendars and employment contracts before making travel or leave arrangements. Scotland has its own legal holiday arrangements and celebrates national events that do not apply elsewhere in the UK.

Northern Ireland Bank Holidays in 2026

Northern Ireland has ten official bank holidays in 2026. In addition to the standard UK public holidays, it observes St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne Holiday, which are unique to Northern Ireland. 

Northern Ireland celebrates St Patrick’s Day every year on 17 March. It also observes the Battle of the Boyne holiday in July. These holidays do not apply in England, Scotland, or Wales.

What Are the Upcoming Bank Holidays in the UK in 2027?

The first UK bank holiday in 2027 is New Year’s Day on Friday, 1 January 2027. The exact holiday calendar differs across the four UK nations because each region recognises different public holidays.

England and Wales Bank Holidays in 2027

Scotland Bank Holidays in 2027

Scotland follows its own holiday calendar.

Key Scottish holidays include the following:

• 1 January – New Year’s Day
• 4 January – 2nd January Holiday (Substitute)
• 26 March – Good Friday
• 3 May – Early May Bank Holiday
• 31 May – Spring Bank Holiday
• 2 August – Summer Bank Holiday
• 30 November – St Andrew’s Day
• 27 December – Christmas Day Substitute
• 28 December – Boxing Day Substitute

Northern Ireland Bank Holidays in 2027

Northern Ireland observes:

• New Year’s Day
• St Patrick’s Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Early May Bank Holiday
• Spring Bank Holiday
• Battle of the Boyne Holiday
• Summer Bank Holiday
• Christmas Substitute Holiday
• Boxing Day Substitute Holiday

Checking the official UK holiday calendar each year helps employers and employees plan annual leave accurately.

How Many Bank Holidays Are There in the UK?

Bank holidays give people time away from work to rest, celebrate important occasions, and spend time with family. The total number varies across the UK because each nation has its own public holidays and local traditions. 

Extra national celebrations or royal events may occasionally create additional one-off bank holidays.

Are Bank Holidays the Same Across the UK?

Bank holidays are not identical throughout the United Kingdom. Each nation follows its own calendar, reflecting local history, culture, and traditions. This means people in Scotland or Northern Ireland may observe holidays that are not available in England and Wales. 

Do Employees Get Paid on Bank Holidays?

Employees usually receive paid leave only if their contract provides it. Some employers close their business and pay staff for the day. Others remain open and require employees to work. Industries that commonly operate on bank holidays include:

• Healthcare
• Hospitality
• Retail
• Emergency services
• Transport
• Security
• Tourism

Some employers offer enhanced holiday pay, but UK law does not require higher pay simply because someone works on a bank holiday.

Can Employers Require Staff to Work on Bank Holidays?

Yes, Employers can require employees to work on bank holidays if their employment contract allows it. Many businesses continue operating throughout public holidays to meet customer demand.

Employers should clearly explain the following:

• Working hours
• Holiday pay arrangements
• Time off in lieu (TOIL), if offered
• Annual leave policies

These terms should appear in the employment contract.

Are Bank Holidays Paid in the UK?

Bank holidays are not automatically paid under UK employment law. Whether you receive paid time off depends on the terms of your employment contract and your employer’s annual leave policy.

Some employers include bank holidays within the statutory annual leave allowance. Others provide them as additional paid days off. Employees should check their employment contract or staff handbook to confirm how bank holidays are treated.

Do Part-Time Workers Get Bank Holiday Entitlement?

Yes, Part-time workers are entitled to paid holiday on a pro-rata basis. This means they receive a fair proportion of the holiday entitlement given to full-time employees, based on the number of days or hours they work.

For example, an employee who works three days a week will usually receive less total holiday than someone working five days. Their entitlement must remain proportionate, and employers must not treat them less favourably because they work part-time.

What Is the UK’s Statutory Annual Leave Entitlement?

Full-time workers are entitled to a minimum of 5,6 weeks of paid annual leave each year. For someone working five days each week, this equals 28 days of paid leave. Employers can choose how they include bank holidays.

Common approaches include:

• 20 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.
• 28 days including bank holidays.
• More generous contractual leave.

The Working Time Regulations 1998 set the statutory minimum entitlement.

Are There Always Eight Bank Holidays in the UK?

No, the number of bank holidays depends on the UK nation and occasional national events. England and Wales usually have eight bank holidays. Scotland usually has nine. Northern Ireland usually has ten. Additional holidays may be announced for occasions such as royal celebrations, jubilees, or state events.

Why Is Eid ul Fitr Not an Official Bank Holiday in the UK?

Eid ul Fitr is not a statutory UK bank holiday because UK public holidays developed from historical Christian and civic traditions. Many employers support religious diversity by allowing annual leave, flexible working, or unpaid leave for employees who wish to celebrate Eid.

Are Schools Closed on Bank Holidays?

Yes, Most state schools, colleges, and universities close on official bank holidays. Independent schools may follow different academic calendars, although most also close during national public holidays.