United Kingdom
2026 UK holidays
A list of United Kingdom holidays for 2026, including observed dates and stock market closures.
| Date | Holiday | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, January 1, 2026 | New Year's Day | Bank holiday | – |
| Friday, April 3, 2026 | Good Friday | Bank holiday | – |
| Monday, April 6, 2026 | Easter Monday | Bank holiday | – |
| Monday, May 4, 2026 | Early May bank holiday | Bank holiday | – |
| Monday, May 25, 2026 | Spring bank holiday | Bank holiday | – |
| Monday, August 31, 2026 | Summer bank holiday | Bank holiday | – |
| Friday, December 25, 2026 | Christmas Day | Bank holiday | – |
| Monday, December 28, 2026 | Boxing Day substitute day | Bank holiday | – |
Source basis: GOV.UK bank holiday schedule for England and Wales. Last updated: June 2026.
London Stock Exchange holidays 2026
Market holiday reference. Verify exact closures and early-close schedules directly with the exchange.
| Date | Holiday | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, January 1, 2026 | New Year's Day | – |
| Friday, April 3, 2026 | Good Friday | – |
| Monday, April 6, 2026 | Easter Monday | – |
| Monday, May 4, 2026 | Early May bank holiday | – |
| Monday, May 25, 2026 | Spring bank holiday | – |
| Monday, August 31, 2026 | Summer bank holiday | – |
| Friday, December 25, 2026 | Christmas Day | – |
| Monday, December 28, 2026 | Boxing Day substitute | – |
Source reference: LSEG financial calendar. Verify directly with the exchange before trading decisions.
Practical uses
PTO and leave planning
Use this list to plan your annual leave around UK public holidays. Combining a holiday with a weekend can create longer breaks — see the uk long weekends in 2026 for pre-built three-day and four-day weekends.
Payroll and deadlines
Public holidays affect payroll processing deadlines and direct deposit schedules. When a holiday falls on a weekday, it reduces the number of business days in that period. See business days in 2026 for net working day counts per month.
School and childcare
Public holidays typically mean school closures, but exact dates vary by state, province or region. Check your local school district or education authority for the full academic calendar.
Travel and events
Book travel early around major holidays like New Year's Day and Boxing Day substitute day when demand — and prices — are typically highest.
Frequently asked questions
- Do holidays that fall on a weekend get observed on a different day?
- When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday becomes the bank holiday — usually the following Monday (or Tuesday for Christmas weekend).
- Are these national or regional holidays?
- These dates apply to England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different bank holiday schedules.
- Can I download these holidays for my calendar app?
- Yes. Download the ICS file to import into Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook. Or download the CSV file to open in Excel or Google Sheets.
- How many bank holidays fall on weekdays in 2026?
- 8 of the 8 bank holidays in 2026 fall on weekdays. None fall on a weekend.