Wondering if today is a bank holiday in the UK? The answer changes depending on where you are, the date, and which nation’s calendar you follow. For a quick check, the official list published by GOV.UK – UK bank holidays is the only authoritative source. This article provides the full picture for 2026, including tomorrow’s status, regional differences, and how substitute days work.
The status today depends on the current date. If today is one of the dates listed below for your nation, then yes, it is a bank holiday. For the most up-to-the-minute check, the government page shows the next upcoming bank holiday by jurisdiction and explains how substitute days work when a holiday falls on a weekend. Because holidays vary between England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, a day that is a bank holiday in one nation may not be one in another.
Is today a bank holiday in the UK?
Overview – today’s bank holiday status
Dynamic – shows if today is a bank holiday in each UK nation based on the official list.
Name and date of the upcoming bank holiday according to the relevant jurisdiction.
8 key dates for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Which holidays are observed only in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
To find out whether today is a bank holiday, start by locating the current date among the lists below. If the date appears in the table for your nation, it is a bank holiday. If it does not, it is a standard working day. The GOV.UK site also offers a live reference for the next upcoming holiday and jurisdiction-specific lists.
- Bank holidays vary by nation within the UK; Scotland has different dates (e.g., 2 January, St Andrew’s Day).
- Always check gov.uk for official dates – third-party sites may be outdated.
- If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday is usually designated.
- Easter holidays (Good Friday, Easter Monday) are fixed by lunar calendar and change annually.
- The term ‘bank holiday’ is often used interchangeably with ‘public holiday’, but technically only days designated by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act are bank holidays.
| Date | Holiday | England & Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | New Year’s Day | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2 Jan 2026 | 2 January (Scotland only) | No | Yes | No | Substitute day if 1 Jan is Saturday |
| 17 Mar 2026 | St Patrick’s Day | No | No | Yes | Northern Ireland only |
| 3 Apr 2026 | Good Friday | Yes | Yes | Yes | Date varies |
| 6 Apr 2026 | Easter Monday | Yes | No | Yes | Not a public holiday in Scotland |
| 4 May 2026 | Early May Bank Holiday | Yes | Yes | Yes | First Monday in May |
| 25 May 2026 | Spring Bank Holiday | Yes | Yes (except Glasgow) | Yes | Last Monday in May; in Scotland varies by local council |
| 13 Jul 2026 | Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen’s Day (NI only) | No | No | Yes | Substitute day |
| 3 Aug 2026 | Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland) | No | Yes | No | First Monday in August |
| 31 Aug 2026 | Summer Bank Holiday (England, Wales, NI) | Yes | No | Yes | Last Monday in August |
| 30 Nov 2026 | St Andrew’s Day (Scotland) | No | Yes (optional) | No | Not mandatory across Scotland |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day | Yes | Yes | Yes | Substitute if Saturday/Sunday |
| 28 Dec 2026 | Boxing Day (substitute) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Substitute for 26 Dec if on weekend |
Is today a bank holiday in England (London, Manchester)?
For England, which includes London and Manchester, the bank holidays for 2026 are 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). If today matches any of these dates, then yes, it is a bank holiday in England.
Is today a bank holiday in Scotland?
Scotland observes New Year’s Day (1 Jan), 2 January, Good Friday (3 Apr), Easter Monday (6 Apr is not a public holiday), Early May bank holiday (4 May), Spring bank holiday (25 May), Summer bank holiday (3 Aug), St Andrew’s Day (30 Nov), Christmas Day (25 Dec), and Boxing Day substitute (28 Dec). For a real-time check, the official Scottish government page provides authoritative dates for the nation. If today’s date appears on that list, it is a bank holiday in Scotland. Note that Easter Monday is not a public holiday in Scotland.
Is it a bank holiday tomorrow?
Check tomorrow’s bank holiday status across UK nations
To find out if tomorrow is a bank holiday, simply check the date against the full lists for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The GOV.UK page explains how substitute days work when a holiday falls on a weekend, which may affect the observed date. For example, if a holiday like Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the substitute day is usually the following Monday. This means the bank holiday might be observed on a different date than the actual holiday.
What are the UK bank holidays for 2026?
Complete list of 2026 bank holidays
The full set of UK bank holidays for 2026 includes ten dates for England and Wales, ten for Scotland, and ten for Northern Ireland. The lists are published by the UK government and differ by nation because each has extra or nation-specific holidays. For instance, Northern Ireland observes St Patrick’s Day (17 Mar) and the Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen’s Day (13 Jul), while Scotland has 2 January and St Andrew’s Day (30 Nov). England and Wales have Easter Monday and the late-August Summer bank holiday.
England and Wales 2026 bank holidays
The 2026 bank holidays for England and Wales are: 1 Jan (New Year’s Day), 3 Apr (Good Friday), 6 Apr (Easter Monday), 4 May (Early May bank holiday), 25 May (Spring bank holiday), 31 Aug (Summer bank holiday), 25 Dec (Christmas Day), and 28 Dec (Boxing Day substitute). These dates are set by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act and confirmed by the UK government.
Scotland 2026 bank holidays
Scotland’s 2026 bank holidays include 2 January, which is a substitute when New Year’s Day falls on a weekend, and St Andrew’s Day on 30 November, which is a voluntary holiday. The summer bank holiday in Scotland falls on the first Monday in August (3 Aug), not the last Monday. Easter Monday is not a public holiday in Scotland.
What are the UK bank holidays for 2026? – Timeline
Monthly view of 2026 bank holidays
- January – 1 Jan (New Year’s Day) all nations; 2 Jan (Scotland only)
- March – 17 Mar (St Patrick’s Day, Northern Ireland only)
- April – 3 Apr (Good Friday) all nations; 6 Apr (Easter Monday) England, Wales, NI
- May – 4 May (Early May bank holiday) all nations; 25 May (Spring bank holiday) all nations
- July – 13 Jul (Battle of the Boyne, Northern Ireland only)
- August – 3 Aug (Summer bank holiday, Scotland); 31 Aug (Summer bank holiday, England, Wales, NI)
- November – 30 Nov (St Andrew’s Day, Scotland)
- December – 25 Dec (Christmas Day) all nations; 28 Dec (Boxing Day substitute) all nations
Which bank holiday dates are certain and which are uncertain?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Christmas Day and Boxing Day are always bank holidays (with substitute days if on weekend). | Easter shifts each year – Good Friday and Easter Monday are not fixed calendar dates. |
| New Year’s Day is always a bank holiday (substitute 2 Jan in Scotland). | St Andrew’s Day (30 Nov) is a voluntary bank holiday in Scotland; many schools close but businesses may choose to remain open. |
| The Early May, Spring, and Summer bank holidays are fixed to specific Mondays. | Substitute days can cause confusion – always verify the official date if a holiday falls on a weekend. |
| Northern Ireland has distinct holidays (St Patrick’s Day, Battle of the Boyne) that do not apply elsewhere. |
What is the background of UK bank holidays?
Bank holidays originated from the Bank Holidays Act 1871 and are supplemented by common law public holidays. The devolved UK nations have powers to set their own bank holidays, leading to variations. In 2026, most holidays fall on weekdays, reducing the need for substitutes. For up-to-date information, the GOV.UK – UK bank holidays website is the primary authoritative source. The UK government page explains substitute days and presents separate tables for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. This system means that a day which is a bank holiday in one part of the UK may not be in another, as seen with Easter Monday in Scotland or the Battle of the Boyne in Northern Ireland.
Where can I find official sources and quotes?
The official UK bank holiday list for 2026 is published by GOV.UK, and the status today is that the government page shows the next bank holiday by jurisdiction and notes how substitute days work when a holiday falls on a weekend. — Source: GOV.UK – UK bank holidays
If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday normally becomes the bank holiday, usually the following Monday. — Source: GOV.UK – UK bank holidays
GOV.UK’s bank holidays page is the authoritative live reference for the next upcoming holiday and jurisdiction-specific lists. — Source: GOV.UK – UK bank holidays
Is there a quick summary of UK bank holidays for 2026?
The 2026 UK bank holidays vary by nation. England and Wales have eight holidays, Scotland has ten, and Northern Ireland has ten, with specific dates differing. Key differences include Scotland’s 2 January and St Andrew’s Day, Northern Ireland’s St Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne, and the fact that Easter Monday is not a public holiday in Scotland. For a full list, always consult the official UK bank holiday list for 2026 and reference the substitute days rules when holidays fall on weekends. For Scotland-specific dates, the official government page is the most reliable source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is today a bank holiday in Europe?
Bank holidays across Europe vary by country. This page focuses on the UK. For other European countries, consult each nation’s official government website (e.g., for France: service-public.fr; Germany: bundesregierung.de).
What is the difference between a bank holiday and a public holiday?
In the UK, ‘bank holiday’ refers to statutory holidays under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act. ‘Public holiday’ is a broader term that includes bank holidays as well as common law holidays like Good Friday and Christmas Day in England. In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably.
Are all UK bank holidays the same every year?
No. Easter holidays change annually. Some holidays like St Andrew’s Day (Scotland) are optional. However, most fixed-date holidays (e.g., Christmas, New Year) remain the same, with substitute days if they fall on a weekend.
Do banks close on all bank holidays?
Typically, banks are closed on bank holidays, but some branches may maintain limited hours. Modern banking services (online, ATMs) remain available. It’s best to check with your specific bank.
What happens if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?
A substitute weekday (usually the next Monday or the following Monday if the holiday is on Saturday) becomes the observed bank holiday. For example, Christmas Day falling on Saturday leads to a substitute day on Monday.
Why does Scotland have different bank holidays?
Scotland has its own legal and cultural traditions. The Scottish Government sets its bank holidays, which include 2 January and St Andrew’s Day, and excludes Easter Monday. This is because of historical and administrative differences in the devolved nations.
Is Easter Monday a bank holiday in Scotland?
No, Easter Monday is not a public holiday in Scotland. While Good Friday is observed, Easter Monday is a standard working day in Scotland.
How often are bank holidays updated?
Bank holidays are reviewed annually. The official list is updated by the UK government each year. The GOV.UK page is the primary authoritative source and is updated when new bank holidays are announced, such as extra holidays for special events like coronations.
What is a substitute day for a bank holiday?
A substitute day is a weekday (usually Monday) that is designated as the bank holiday when the actual holiday falls on a weekend. For example, in 2026, Boxing Day (26 Dec) falls on Saturday, so the observed bank holiday is Monday 28 December.
Are Northern Ireland bank holidays the same as England’s?
No. Northern Ireland has its own bank holidays, including St Patrick’s Day (17 March) and the Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen’s Day (13 July), which are not observed in England. However, many holidays like New Year’s Day, Good Friday, and Christmas Day are shared.
Related stories
Isabelle Reed is TV & Streaming Editor at CultureObserver.uk, covering television, streaming platforms, broadcast schedules and platform news.