UK: England and Wales public holidays

Next holiday:

Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 2026
Boxing Day (substitute day), Monday, December 28, 2026
New Year's Day, Friday, January 1, 2027
Good Friday, Friday, March 26, 2027
Easter Monday, Monday, March 29, 2027
Early May bank holiday, Monday, May 3, 2027
Spring bank holiday, Monday, May 31, 2027
Summer bank holiday, Monday, August 30, 2027
Christmas Day (substitute day), Monday, December 27, 2027
Boxing Day (substitute day), Tuesday, December 28, 2027
New Year's Day (substitute day), Monday, January 3, 2028
Good Friday, Friday, April 14, 2028
Easter Monday, Monday, April 17, 2028
Early May bank holiday, Monday, May 1, 2028
Spring bank holiday, Monday, May 29, 2028
Summer bank holiday, Monday, August 28, 2028
Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, 2028
Boxing Day, Tuesday, December 26, 2028

Bank and public holidays8 days in 2026

UK: England and Wales holidays 2026

Date	Holiday	Note
Thu, Jan 1	New Year's Day
Fri, Apr 3	Good Friday
Mon, Apr 6	Easter Monday
Mon, May 4	Early May bank holiday
Mon, May 25	Spring bank holiday
Mon, Aug 31	Summer bank holiday
Fri, Dec 25	Christmas Day
Mon, Dec 28	Boxing Day (substitute day)	December 26 is a Saturday

UK: England and Wales holidays 2027

Date	Holiday	Note
Fri, Jan 1	New Year's Day
Fri, Mar 26	Good Friday
Mon, Mar 29	Easter Monday
Mon, May 3	Early May bank holiday
Mon, May 31	Spring bank holiday
Mon, Aug 30	Summer bank holiday
Mon, Dec 27	Christmas Day (substitute day)	December 25 is a Saturday
Tue, Dec 28	Boxing Day (substitute day)	December 26 is a Sunday

UK: England and Wales holidays 2028

Date	Holiday	Note
Mon, Jan 3	New Year's Day (substitute day)	January 1 is a Saturday
Fri, Apr 14	Good Friday
Mon, Apr 17	Easter Monday
Mon, May 1	Early May bank holiday
Mon, May 29	Spring bank holiday
Mon, Aug 28	Summer bank holiday
Mon, Dec 25	Christmas Day
Tue, Dec 26	Boxing Day

About England and Wales’ public holidays

England and Wales share one list of bank holidays, published by the UK government. Good Friday and Christmas Day are holidays by common law; the others are bank holidays under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 or set by royal proclamation.

In 2026, 8 holiday days are listed; 1 is taken on another day because the date falls on a weekend. 7 are taken on a Monday or Friday, making a three-day weekend.

Weekends and substitute days

When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute weekday (usually the following Monday, or Tuesday if Monday is already a holiday) is designated.

Legal basis: Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 (Schedule 1) and annual Royal Proclamations; St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007; Good Friday and Christmas Day by common law (E&W, NI)..

Source

GOV.UK - UK bank holidays (JSON feed for England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland)

Dates were checked against this source on 2 November 2026. Governments can add or move holidays by proclamation; the source is authoritative.

Questions

How many public holidays does England and Wales have?

8 national holiday days in 2026, 8 national holiday days in 2027, 8 national holiday days in 2028, counting each day taken once.

What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend in England and Wales?

Boxing Day on Sat, Dec 26, 2026: day off Mon, Dec 28; Christmas Day on Sat, Dec 25, 2027: day off Mon, Dec 27; Boxing Day on Sun, Dec 26, 2027: day off Tue, Dec 28; New Year's Day on Sat, Jan 1, 2028: day off Mon, Jan 3. The rule: When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute weekday (usually the following Monday, or Tuesday if Monday is already a holiday) is designated.

Where do these dates come from?

From GOV.UK, checked on 2 November 2026. Legal basis: Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 (Schedule 1) and annual Royal Proclamations; St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007; Good Friday and Christmas Day by common law (E&W, NI)..