United Kingdom
2026 UK long weekends
Holidays that create three-day or longer weekends in United Kingdom during 2026. Plan your time off around these extended breaks.
| Holiday | Holiday date | Weekend range | Days | Bridge strategy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1, 2026 | Thursday, January 1, 2026 – Sunday, January 4, 2026 | 4 | Take Jan 2, 2026 off |
| Good Friday, Easter Monday | Apr 3, 2026, Apr 6, 2026 | Friday, April 3, 2026 – Monday, April 6, 2026 | 4 | Natural long weekend |
| Early May bank holiday | May 4, 2026 | Saturday, May 2, 2026 – Monday, May 4, 2026 | 3 | Natural long weekend |
| Spring bank holiday | May 25, 2026 | Saturday, May 23, 2026 – Monday, May 25, 2026 | 3 | Natural long weekend |
| Summer bank holiday | Aug 31, 2026 | Saturday, August 29, 2026 – Monday, August 31, 2026 | 3 | Natural long weekend |
| Christmas Day, Boxing Day substitute day | Dec 25, 2026, Dec 28, 2026 | Friday, December 25, 2026 – Monday, December 28, 2026 | 4 | Natural long weekend |
Source basis: GOV.UK bank holiday schedule for England and Wales. Last updated: June 2026.
Disclaimer: Long weekend dates are based on official government sources. Observed dates may vary by region or employer. Always verify important travel or leave dates with the relevant authority.
Frequently asked questions
- How many long weekends are there in 2026?
- Based on the United Kingdom holiday calendar, there are 6 potential long weekends in 2026 (including those requiring a bridge day).
- What is a bridge day?
- A bridge day is a normal working day that falls between a public holiday and the weekend (for example, a Friday when a holiday is on Thursday). Taking PTO on a bridge day turns a 1-day holiday into a 4-day weekend.
- What counts as a long weekend?
- A long weekend is when a public holiday falls next to a Saturday or Sunday, creating three or more consecutive days off. Some long weekends span four or more days when holidays align with existing weekend days.
- Do these long weekends apply to all states or regions?
- Public holiday dates can vary by state, province or territory. The dates shown are based on national-level holidays. Check with your local government or employer for regional variations.
- Can I download these long weekend dates?
- Yes — click the CSV button above to download a spreadsheet-ready file with all long weekend dates for 2026.
Long weekends by month
See long weekends for each month in 2026.
Maximize your time off
Use the PTO long weekend optimizer to bridge these 2026 holidays into longer breaks with the fewest possible PTO days.