UK Bank Holidays 2026 & Best Days to Take Off
Book 1 day, get 5 off.
Book off Thu 2 Apr and you're free from Thu 2 Apr to Mon 6 Apr. United Kingdom has 8 public holidays in 2026. Here is every one, and the leave days that stretch them.
2026 at a glance
- New Year's Day Thu 1 Jan England & Wales
Book 1 day (Fri 2 Jan) get 4 days off in a row (Thu 1 Jan – Sun 4 Jan)
1 more option in the card.
See this bridge- Good Friday Fri 3 Apr National
- Easter Monday Mon 6 Apr England & Wales
Book 1 day (Thu 2 Apr) get 5 days off in a row (Thu 2 Apr – Mon 6 Apr)
1 more option in the card.
See this bridge- Early May Bank Holiday Mon 4 May National
Book 1 day (Fri 1 May) get 4 days off in a row (Fri 1 May – Mon 4 May)
1 more option in the card.
See this bridge- Spring Bank Holiday Mon 25 May National
Book 1 day (Fri 22 May) get 4 days off in a row (Fri 22 May – Mon 25 May)
1 more option in the card.
See this bridge- Summer Bank Holiday Mon 31 Aug England & Wales
Book 1 day (Fri 28 Aug) get 4 days off in a row (Fri 28 Aug – Mon 31 Aug)
1 more option in the card.
See this bridge- Christmas Day Fri 25 Dec National
- Boxing Day (substitute day) Mon 28 Dec National
Book 1 day (Thu 24 Dec) get 5 days off in a row (Thu 24 Dec – Mon 28 Dec)
1 more option in the card.
See this bridge- Christmas Day Fri 25 Dec National
- Boxing Day (substitute day) Mon 28 Dec National
Book 3 days (Tue 29 Dec – Thu 31 Dec) get 10 days off in a row (Fri 25 Dec – Sun 3 Jan)
1 more option in the card.
See this bridgeBook 1 day (Thu 31 Dec) get 4 days off in a row (Thu 31 Dec – Sun 3 Jan)
1 more option in the card.
See this bridgePublic holidayBook this day offWeekend inside a break
Hover, tap or tab to a mark to see the holiday and its best bridge.
- 5 leave days 22 days off in 5 breaks
- 10 leave days 39 days off in 10 breaks
- 15 leave days 54 days off in 15 breaks
- 20 leave days 69 days off in 20 breaks
Best bridge days in 2026
Day-off calculations use England & Wales bank holidays. Scotland and Northern Ireland differences are listed as regional. Weekends are Saturday & Sunday.
New Year's Day passed
Book off: Fri 2 Jan
Book off: Fri 2 Jan – Tue 6 Jan
Good Friday & Easter Monday passed
Book off: Thu 2 Apr
Book off: Fri 27 Mar – Thu 2 Apr
Early May Bank Holiday passed
Book off: Fri 1 May
Book off: Mon 27 Apr – Fri 1 May
Spring Bank Holiday passed
Book off: Fri 22 May
Book off: Mon 18 May – Fri 22 May
Summer Bank Holiday passed
Book off: Fri 28 Aug
Book off: Mon 24 Aug – Fri 28 Aug
Christmas Day & Boxing Day (substitute day)
Book off: Thu 24 Dec
Book off: Fri 18 Dec – Thu 24 Dec
Christmas Day & Boxing Day (substitute day) & New Year's Day
Book off: Tue 29 Dec – Thu 31 Dec
Book off: Wed 23 Dec – Thu 31 Dec
New Year's Day
Book off: Thu 31 Dec
Book off: Wed 30 Dec – Mon 4 Jan
All UK public holidays 2026
| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Thu 1 Jan 2026 | New Year's Day | England & Wales |
| Fri 2 Jan 2026 | 2 January | Regional: SCT |
| Tue 17 Mar 2026 | Saint Patrick's Day | Regional: NIR |
| Fri 3 Apr 2026 | Good Friday | National |
| Mon 6 Apr 2026 | Easter Monday | England & Wales |
| Mon 4 May 2026 | Early May Bank Holiday | National |
| Mon 25 May 2026 | Spring Bank Holiday | National |
| Mon 15 Jun 2026 | World Cup Bank Holiday | Regional: SCT |
| Mon 13 Jul 2026 | Battle of the Boyne | Regional: NIR |
| Mon 3 Aug 2026 | Summer Bank Holiday | Regional: SCT |
| Mon 31 Aug 2026 | Summer Bank Holiday | England & Wales |
| Mon 30 Nov 2026 | Saint Andrew's Day | Regional: SCT |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day | National |
| Mon 28 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day (substitute day) | National |
Dates are the official observed days off (substitute days included where the source lists them).
FAQ
How many public holidays does United Kingdom have in 2026?
There are 8 England & Wales bank holidays in United Kingdom in 2026, plus 6 regional holidays.
How can I get the longest break in United Kingdom in 2026 with 5 or fewer leave days?
Book off Wed 23 Dec – Thu 31 Dec (5 leave days) for 12 days off in a row, Wed 23 Dec 2026 to Sun 3 Jan 2027.
What is the best bridge day in United Kingdom in 2026?
Book off Thu 2 Apr (1 leave day) to get 5 consecutive days off from Thu 2 Apr 2026 to Mon 6 Apr 2026.