Public holidays

United Kingdom · 2026

13 holidays including 5 national and 8 regional observances.

13
Total
5
National
8
Regional
13
Public

Guide to public holidays in United Kingdom

Overview, context, and quick answers for 2026.

Holiday overview

United Kingdom observes 13 public holidays throughout 2026, including 5 national and 8 regional. 13 are official public holidays with government recognition.

Use the monthly calendar below for exact dates. Planning in United Kingdom means tracking both fixed-date holidays and variable dates set by calendar or decree.

Key context

  • Location: United Kingdom (GB), Europe
  • Distribution: 38% national, 62% regional
  • Official public: 100% of listed holidays
  • Year: 2026 (Gregorian)

Why this calendar matters

Public holidays affect government hours, banking, and many businesses. Use this list to avoid conflicts and plan travel or operations in United Kingdom.

FAQ in this guide

How many public holidays does United Kingdom have in 2026?

United Kingdom has 13 public holidays in 2026, including 5 national and 8 regional. 13 are official government-recognized public holidays.

What are the most important holidays in United Kingdom?

Major holidays include national days, religious observances, and cultural events—often with closures for government offices, banks, and many businesses.

Do holidays in United Kingdom affect business?

Yes. Many offices and banks close or reduce hours on public holidays; private businesses vary by sector and region.

Are there regional differences?

Yes. United Kingdom has both nationwide holidays and regional observances in specific areas or communities.

Geographic & cultural context

Location
  • Country: United Kingdom (GB)
  • Continent: Europe
  • Coordinates: 55.3781, -3.436
  • Time zone: GMT/BST (UTC+0/+1)
Holiday mix
  • National, regional, religious, and cultural
  • Gregorian calendar
  • Official days often close government offices
2026
Calendar year
100%
Free access
Updated
Maintained
Calendar

Holidays by month

All observances for 2026, grouped by month.

January 2025

2 holidays

New Year's Day

Regional
Wednesday, January 1, 2025

New Year's Day marks the start of the Gregorian calendar year. It is a day for celebration and reflection on the past year, with resolutions made for the year ahead.

2 January

Regional
Thursday, January 2, 2025

In Scotland, 2 January is a public holiday following New Year's Day. It provides an extended opportunity for celebrations and rest after the Hogmanay festivities.

March 2025

1 holiday

Saint Patrick's Day

Regional
Monday, March 17, 2025

Saint Patrick's Day is a cultural and religious holiday celebrated on 17 March. It commemorates Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland, and celebrates Irish heritage and culture.

April 2025

2 holidays

Good Friday

National
Friday, April 18, 2025

Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum.

Easter Monday

Regional
Monday, April 21, 2025

Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday in the Christian calendar. It is a public holiday in some regions, often celebrated with family gatherings and outdoor activities.

May 2025

2 holidays

Early May Bank Holiday

National
Monday, May 5, 2025

The Early May Bank Holiday is a public holiday in the United Kingdom, observed on the first Monday of May. It provides a long weekend for leisure and recreation.

Spring Bank Holiday

National
Monday, May 26, 2025

The Spring Bank Holiday is a public holiday in the United Kingdom, observed on the last Monday of May. It marks the unofficial start of summer and is a popular time for outdoor events.

July 2025

1 holiday

Battle of the Boyne

Regional
Monday, July 14, 2025

The Battle of the Boyne, also known as Orangemen's Day, is a Protestant celebration held on 12 July. It commemorates the victory of William of Orange over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

August 2025

2 holidays

Summer Bank Holiday

Regional
Monday, August 4, 2025

The Summer Bank Holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland is observed on the last Monday in August. It provides a final long weekend before the end of summer.

Summer Bank Holiday

Regional
Monday, August 25, 2025

The Summer Bank Holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland is observed on the last Monday in August. It provides a final long weekend before the end of summer.

December 2025

3 holidays

Saint Andrew's Day

Regional
Monday, December 1, 2025

Saint Andrew's Day is the feast day of Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, celebrated on 30 November. It is a day to celebrate Scottish culture and heritage.

Christmas Day

National
Thursday, December 25, 2025

Christmas Day is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25. It is a central part of the Christmas and holiday season.

Boxing Day

National
Friday, December 26, 2025

St. Stephen's Day, also known as Boxing Day, is celebrated on December 26. It traditionally involves giving gifts to service workers and is now often associated with post-Christmas sales.

Frequently asked questions

How many public holidays are there in United Kingdom?

United Kingdom has 13 public holidays in 2026, including 5 national and 8 regional observances.

Are all holidays in United Kingdom national?

No. There are 5 national holidays and 8 regional holidays that apply only in certain areas.

Which are official public holidays?

13 holidays are marked as public; these are typically the most important for closures and time off.

When do holidays occur?

Dates are spread across the year—see the monthly calendar above for each exact date in 2026.

Do all businesses close?

Government offices usually close on official public holidays; private businesses vary by sector and region.

How do I stay updated?

Bookmark this page. We refresh data from official sources as schedules are published or amended.

Data summary

Structured overview for this country and year.

13
Total
Listed holidays
5
National
Country-wide
8
Regional
Local
13
Public
Official type

Dataset details

Geography
  • Country: United Kingdom (GB)
  • Continent: Europe
  • Coordinates: 55.3781, -3.436
  • Time zone: GMT/BST (UTC+0/+1)
Time
  • Year: 2026
  • Calendar: Gregorian
  • Reference date: 2026-03-29

United Kingdom · 2026

13 dates for planning operations, travel, and time off in United Kingdom.

13
Total
5
National
8
Regional
13
Public

Bookmark this page for quick access all year.

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