Bank holiday 2026 – full dates published for England, Wales, Scotland

The government has published bank holiday dates for 2026, announcing on X that there will be between eight and 10 days designated as official bank holidays. England and Wales will enjoy eight days off work, Scotland, meanwhile, will benefit from nine bank holidays, whilst Northern Ireland receives the most with 10.

Whilst England and Wales observe traditional holidays such as Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Easter, Scotland receives an additional day off on 2nd January. Northern Ireland enjoys two extra days – 17th March for St Patrick’s Day and 12th July, commemorating the Battle of the Boyne, reports the Mirror.

Nevertheless, some dates have attracted criticism for creating an excessive gap during the summer period. Whilst Northern Ireland residents receive a day off for the Battle of the Boyne, traditionally on 12th July, and Scotland enjoys a break at the start of August, other regions have to wait from late May until the end of August.

Posting to X, formerly Twitter, Paul called on the government to reconsider its annual dates, stating: “Please arrange a bank holiday in summer. Nothing between the end of May and the end of August is ludicrous.”

Bank holidays have existed in the UK since 1871. Parliamentary legislation formally permitted banks to close on these occasions, giving these days off their name. Previously, everyone enjoyed a holiday on the first Monday in August. Then, in 1971 fresh legislation officially shifted it to the final Monday of the month for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

England and Wales have fewer public holidays than nearly any other country in the world. Only Mexico fares worse, with seven annual days off.