UK Bank Holidays Explained: England, Scotland & Northern Ireland

UK bank holidays aren't like ordinary holidays — they're defined by law, and England, Scotland and Northern Ireland each have different schedules.

What are bank holidays?

Bank holidays are statutory public holidays in the UK, rooted in the 1871 Bank Holidays Act. Despite the name, they apply nationwide — banks close, and so do most businesses and schools.

Regional differences (the key part)

• England: New Year, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May and Spring bank holidays, Summer (late Aug), Christmas, Boxing Day.
• Scotland: New Year, Good Friday (no Easter Monday), May and Spring bank holidays, Summer (early Aug), St Andrew's Day (Nov 30), Christmas, Boxing Day.
• Northern Ireland: All of England's holidays plus St Patrick's Day (Mar 17).

2026 UK public holidays (summary)

• Jan 1: New Year's Day
• Apr 3: Good Friday
• Apr 6: Easter Monday (England & NI)
• May 4: Early May bank holiday
• May 25: Spring bank holiday
• Aug 3 (Scotland) / Aug 31 (England & NI): Summer bank holiday
• Dec 25: Christmas Day
• Dec 28: Boxing Day (substitute)

Planning long weekends

Combine holidays with weekends: England's Aug 31 (Mon) holiday means Aug 29-31 is a 3-day break. Use our holiday planner to see long-weekend combos for any country.

FAQ

• Are bank holidays and public holidays different? Used interchangeably; both trace to bank holiday legislation.
• Why is Scotland different? Scotland has its own legal system; its parliament sets holiday arrangements.
• What if a holiday falls on a weekend? It rolls to the next working day (a "substitute day").