As the final festive break of 2025 concludes, attention turns to planning for the year ahead. The complete schedule of official bank holidays for England and Wales in 2026 has been confirmed, featuring the customary eight days off – but with several key dates shifting from their usual slots.
Key Moves in the 2026 Calendar
The most notable change concerns the Boxing Day bank holiday. In 2026, December 26th falls on a Saturday. According to standard practice, when a bank holiday lands on a weekend, a substitute weekday is granted. Consequently, the day off will move to Monday, December 28, offering a long weekend to conclude the year.
It is not only weekends that dictate the calendar. The fluctuating date of Easter also causes annual variations. In 2026, Good Friday is set for April 3, with Easter Monday following on April 6. This is notably earlier than in 2025, when the Easter break occurred in mid-April.
The Full List of 2026 Bank Holidays
Mark these eight dates in your diary for England and Wales. The year begins with New Year's Day and concludes with the adjusted Christmas period.
Thursday, January 1 – New Year's Day
Friday, April 3 – Good Friday
Monday, April 6 – Easter Monday
Monday, May 4 – Early May Bank Holiday
Monday, May 25 – Spring Bank Holiday
Monday, August 31 – Summer Bank Holiday
Friday, December 25 – Christmas Day
Monday, December 28 – Boxing Day (substitute day)
Planning Your Long Weekends
Analysis of the calendar reveals favourable patterns for those planning time off. The two May bank holidays each shift a day earlier than in some years, consistently guaranteeing a long weekend. The late August Summer Bank Holiday, often seen as the farewell to the school holidays, is scheduled for August 31, slightly later than its 2025 date of August 25.
While Christmas Day remains fixed on its traditional date of Friday, December 25, the subsequent Monday will provide an extended break thanks to the Boxing Day substitution. This arrangement offers a clear framework for employees and businesses across England and Wales to organise their schedules and leave for the coming year.
