United Kingdom Public Holidays 2026
The 2026 public holiday calendar for United Kingdom contains 8 national dates. Holidays run from New Year's Day in January through to Boxing Day (substitute day) at the end of the year. 1 of them fall on a Saturday or Sunday this year, so the number of extra days away from the desk depends on the calendar.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1, 2026 | Thursday | Public holiday |
| Good Friday | April 3, 2026 | Friday | Public holiday |
| Easter Monday | April 6, 2026 | Monday | Public holiday |
| Early May bank holiday | May 4, 2026 | Monday | Public holiday |
| Spring bank holiday | May 25, 2026 | Monday | Public holiday |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2026 | Friday | Public holiday |
| Boxing Day | December 26, 2026 | SaturdayWeekend | Public holiday |
| Boxing Day (substitute day) | December 28, 2026 | Monday | Public holiday |
The busiest stretch is December (3 holidays), a good window to plan around if you rely on offices, banks or schools being open. Below you will find the full 2026 list for United Kingdom, sorted by date, with the weekday marked for quick planning. Only nationwide public holidays are included here, which keeps the United Kingdom calendar clean and comparable.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does United Kingdom have in 2026?
United Kingdom has 8 national public holidays in 2026. The first is New Year's Day on January 1, 2026 and the last is Boxing Day (substitute day) on December 28, 2026.
What is the first public holiday of 2026 in United Kingdom?
The first public holiday of 2026 is New Year's Day, which falls on January 1, 2026, a Thursday.
When is New Year celebrated in United Kingdom in 2026?
In 2026, New Year's Day in United Kingdom is on January 1, 2026, a Thursday.
Are regional holidays included for United Kingdom?
No. This calendar lists national public holidays only. State, provincial and regional holidays that apply to just part of United Kingdom are not included, which keeps the list consistent across countries.
Other years for United Kingdom
Planning further ahead or looking back? Compare the United Kingdom public holiday calendar across years: