Quick answer: England has 8 statutory bank holidays in 2026: New Year's Day (Thu 1 Jan), Good Friday (Fri 3 Apr), Easter Monday (Mon 6 Apr), Early May (Mon 4 May), Spring (Mon 25 May), Summer (Mon 31 Aug), Christmas Day (Fri 25 Dec) and Boxing Day substitute (Mon 28 Dec).
Reviewed by Mustafa Bilgic · UK Calculator Editor ·
The 8 England bank holidays in 2026
England has 8 statutory bank holidays in 2026 — the same number as Wales, one fewer than Scotland (9) and two fewer than Northern Ireland (10). All 8 are observed under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 and supplementary Royal Proclamations.
| Date 2026 | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Statutory |
| 3 Apr 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | Common-law (Royal Proclamation) |
| 6 Apr 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday | Statutory |
| 4 May 2026 | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday | Statutory (since 1978) |
| 25 May 2026 | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday | Statutory |
| 31 Aug 2026 | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday | Statutory (last Monday) |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Common-law |
| 28 Dec 2026 | Monday | Boxing Day (substitute) | Statutory (BD on Sat 26 Dec → moved) |
Why a Boxing Day substitute? Because Boxing Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday in 2026, the bank holiday is moved to the next available weekday — Monday 28 December 2026. This is set by Royal Proclamation each year when the original date falls on a weekend.
Pay rights — working bank holidays in England 2026
England has the same employment-law framework as Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland for bank holiday pay (governed UK-wide by the Working Time Regulations 1998 and Employment Rights Act 1996). Key principles:
- No statutory premium — there is no UK legal right to extra pay (time-and-a-half or double-time) for working a bank holiday. This is a common misunderstanding.
- Contract-dependent — your right to enhanced pay depends entirely on what your written employment contract says.
- 5.6 weeks total leave — you have a statutory minimum of 5.6 weeks (28 days for full-timers) of paid leave. Employers can include the 8 BHs inside this allowance.
- Pro-rata for part-time — under the 2000 Regulations, part-timers get (days worked ÷ 5) × 8 = pro-rata BH days.
Long-weekend planner — England 2026
The 2026 calendar offers several extended-break opportunities. Optimise your annual leave by booking around bank holidays:
| Period | Annual leave days | Total break | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas/NY 2025-26 | 3 (Mon-Wed 29-31 Dec 2025) | 10 days (Sat 27 Dec – Sun 4 Jan) | Family time, ski |
| Easter (Apr 2026) | 4 (Tue-Fri 31 Mar - 2 Apr; or 7-10 Apr) | 9 or 10 days | Spring break, Europe |
| Early May (May 2026) | 4 (Tue-Fri 28 Apr - 1 May) | 9 days (Sat 25 Apr – Mon 4 May) | Spring city break |
| Spring BH (May 2026) | 4 (Tue-Fri 26-29 May) | 9 days (Sat 23 May – Sun 31 May) | Whitsun half-term, kids |
| Summer BH (Aug 2026) | 4 (Tue-Fri 25-28 Aug) | 9 days (Sat 22 Aug – Sun 30 Aug) | Last summer trip |
| Christmas 2026 | 3 (Tue-Wed-Thu 29-31 Dec) | 11 days (Thu 24 Dec – Sun 3 Jan 2027) | Year-end recovery |
School holidays in England 2026
English state schools follow Local Authority term dates. While these vary slightly by LA and academy trust, the typical English term dates align with bank holidays:
- Spring half-term — Mon 16 Feb – Fri 20 Feb 2026 (typical; some LAs differ)
- Easter break — Mon 30 Mar – Fri 10 Apr 2026 (covers Good Friday + Easter Monday)
- May Day — Mon 4 May 2026 (school closed)
- Whitsun half-term — Mon 25 May – Fri 29 May 2026
- Summer holidays — typically Mon 20 Jul – Fri 28 Aug 2026 (covers Summer BH if late finish)
- Autumn half-term — Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas break — Fri 18 Dec – Mon 4 Jan 2027 (covers Christmas Day, Boxing Day, NY)
Always confirm with your individual school. Academies, free schools and faith schools may set different INSET days and term boundaries.
What's open / closed in England — bank holidays 2026
Banking and finance
- Retail banks — all 8 BHs branches closed in England.
- ATMs — operational throughout.
- Online/mobile banking — fully operational.
- BACS payments — paused on bank holidays; payments due that day clear next working day.
- CHAPS — closed on BHs.
- Faster Payments — operational 24/7 (no BH impact).
- London Stock Exchange (LSE) — closed on all 8 English BHs.
Public services
- NHS — A&E, 111, ambulance services full operation. GP surgeries closed; out-of-hours via 111.
- Royal Mail — no delivery on BHs; collections paused.
- Government offices — DVLA, HMRC offices closed; online services available.
- Schools — closed (as above).
- Local councils — main offices closed; emergency services (e.g. social care) operational.
Retail and hospitality
- Supermarkets — most open with reduced hours; Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda typically 8 AM – 6 PM. Christmas Day is the exception — almost all UK supermarkets close.
- Pubs and restaurants — open with extended hours typical on Sundays/BHs.
- Garden centres, DIY stores — peak trading on Easter Monday and May BHs.
- Cinemas and entertainment — fully open; many premieres on BH weekends.
Transport
- National Rail — Sunday-style timetable typically; some lines have engineering works (especially Christmas/NY and Easter).
- London Underground — Sunday timetable on BHs.
- Buses (TfL and most regions) — Sunday timetable.
- Motorways — open; Highways England often relaxes roadworks on BH weekends.
England bank holidays vs other UK nations — comparison 2026
| Holiday | England | Wales | Scotland | NI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | ✓ Thu 1 Jan | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2nd January | — | — | ✓ Fri 2 Jan | — |
| St Patrick's Day | — | — | — | ✓ Tue 17 Mar |
| Good Friday | ✓ Fri 3 Apr | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Easter Monday | ✓ Mon 6 Apr | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Early May BH | ✓ Mon 4 May | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spring BH | ✓ Mon 25 May | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Battle of Boyne (sub.) | — | — | — | ✓ Mon 13 Jul |
| Summer BH (early) | — | — | ✓ Mon 3 Aug | — |
| Summer BH (late) | ✓ Mon 31 Aug | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| St Andrew's Day | — | — | ✓ Mon 30 Nov | — |
| Christmas Day | ✓ Fri 25 Dec | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boxing Day (sub.) | ✓ Mon 28 Dec | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Total 2026 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
Why does England have only 8 bank holidays?
The UK has fewer bank holidays than most European countries (Germany 9-13 depending on Land, France 11, Spain 14, Ireland 10). The current English schedule was set by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, with the Early May Bank Holiday added in 1978. Recent attempts to add more (e.g. St George's Day 23 April, "UK Day") have repeatedly stalled. The economic argument against more BHs is roughly £1bn-£2bn lost output per additional day (CIPD estimate) — though tourism and retail benefit.
One-off bank holidays history (England)
| Year | Date | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Mon 3 Jun | Golden Jubilee (Queen Elizabeth II) |
| 2011 | Fri 29 Apr | Wedding of William and Catherine |
| 2012 | Tue 5 Jun | Diamond Jubilee |
| 2022 | Thu 2 Jun + Fri 3 Jun | Platinum Jubilee (Spring BH moved) |
| 2022 | Mon 19 Sep | State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II |
| 2023 | Mon 8 May | Coronation of King Charles III |
| 2026 | — | None scheduled (standard 8) |
Frequently asked questions
How many bank holidays are there in England in 2026?
8 statutory bank holidays in England in 2026: New Year's Day (1 Jan), Good Friday (3 Apr), Easter Monday (6 Apr), Early May Bank Holiday (4 May), Spring Bank Holiday (25 May), Summer Bank Holiday (31 Aug), Christmas Day (25 Dec), and Boxing Day substitute (28 Dec).
When is the next England bank holiday in 2026?
Depends on today's date. As of May 2026, the next bank holiday after the Early May BH (Mon 4 May) is the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday 25 May 2026, followed by the Summer Bank Holiday on Monday 31 August 2026.
Why is Boxing Day on 28 December 2026 in England?
Because 26 December 2026 falls on a Saturday. When Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, a substitute bank holiday is granted on the next available weekday — in this case Monday 28 December 2026. The Royal Proclamation each year confirms substitute dates.
Are bank holidays the same in England and Wales?
Yes — England and Wales share an identical bank holiday calendar. Both have 8 BHs in 2026 on exactly the same dates. There has been periodic discussion about adding St David's Day (1 March) for Wales but it has not been enacted.
Do I get extra pay for working a bank holiday in England?
Only if your employment contract specifies enhanced pay (time-and-a-half, double-time, etc.). There is no UK statutory right to a bank holiday premium. Many retail, healthcare and emergency services contracts do include premium clauses; office and salaried roles typically don't (because staff don't work BHs). Use our Bank Holiday Pay Calculator for exact figures.
Are England bank holidays the same as UK bank holidays?
No — "UK bank holidays" is a loose term. Each nation has its own calendar. England and Wales have 8 BHs (identical), Scotland has 9 (with 2 January, Aug 3 instead of Aug 31, and St Andrew's Day; no Easter Monday), and Northern Ireland has 10 (adding St Patrick's Day and Battle of the Boyne). "UK bank holidays" usually refers to the England/Wales calendar.
Will any one-off bank holidays be added in 2026?
No. There are no scheduled one-off bank holidays for England in 2026. The most recent one-offs were the Platinum Jubilee (2022), the Queen's State Funeral (Sep 2022) and the King's Coronation (May 2023). Future occasions could include royal weddings, Jubilees or major national commemorations, but none are confirmed for 2026.
Are banks closed on all 8 English bank holidays?
Yes — all major UK retail banks (Lloyds, NatWest, Barclays, HSBC, Santander, Nationwide etc.) close English branches on all 8 BHs. ATMs work; online and mobile banking is uninterrupted; Faster Payments operate 24/7; BACS and CHAPS clearing pause for the day.
Are bank holidays included in my 28 days of annual leave in England?
Yes — your employer can lawfully include the 8 bank holidays within your statutory 5.6-week (28-day) leave entitlement. So "28 days including bank holidays" means 20 discretionary days + 8 BHs. "28 days plus bank holidays" means 36 days. Check your contract for which applies.
Is St George's Day (23 April) a bank holiday in England?
No. St George's Day on 23 April is England's national day but is NOT a statutory bank holiday. There have been multiple parliamentary attempts to make it one (most recently 2014, 2018, 2021) but none have succeeded. In 2026 it falls on a Thursday and is a normal working day.
Official UK Sources
- GOV.UK — UK bank holidays 2026
- GOV.UK — Holiday entitlement and rights
- ACAS — Bank holidays guidance
- Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971
- GOV.UK — School term dates
Last reviewed: May 2026 against gov.uk official 2026 calendar and ACAS guidance.