Long weekends in the UK 2026 are some of the best in years, with two four-day weekends — Easter and Christmas — plus three classic Monday bank holidays. Whether you are planning a city break, a countryside escape, or simply looking forward to lie-ins, here is every long weekend the 2026 bank holiday calendar delivers.
The two four-day weekends
Easter (3–6 April): Good Friday falls on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April, creating a four-day weekend without using a single day of annual leave. It is one of the most popular travel weekends of the year, so expect busy roads, full trains and premium prices at holiday parks.
Christmas (25–28 December): Christmas Day lands on Friday 25 December, and since Boxing Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday, the substitute bank holiday moves to Monday 28 December. The result is another four-day weekend to close out the year — ideal for extended family visits.
The Monday bank holidays
- 2–4 May: Early May bank holiday (Monday 4 May)
- 23–25 May: Spring bank holiday (Monday 25 May) — just three weeks after the Early May break, May is stacked
- 29–31 August: Summer bank holiday (Monday 31 August) — the last long weekend of summer
Note that Scotland and Northern Ireland have slightly different bank holiday calendars — Scotland, for example, does not observe Easter Monday as a bank holiday but has its own St Andrew’s Day holiday. The dates above apply to England and Wales.
New Year 2026
New Year’s Day falls on Thursday 1 January 2026. It is not a long weekend by itself, but taking Friday 2 January as leave creates a four-day break to start the year — a popular move that also softens the return to work.
Tips for UK long weekend travel
- Book Easter early: The April four-day weekend is prime time for UK holiday parks and European city breaks alike.
- Consider the May double: With bank holidays on 4 May and 25 May, taking the working days between them as leave creates an enormous break — though it costs significant annual leave.
- Travel off-peak: Trains are busiest on the Friday evening and Monday afternoon of bank holiday weekends; travelling Saturday morning is often calmer.
- Check engineering works: Bank holidays are favourite windows for railway maintenance, so check for planned works before booking train travel.
With two four-day weekends and three Monday breaks, the long weekends in the UK 2026 lineup are exceptional. Get the dates in your calendar and start planning while the best options are still available.
Scotland and Northern Ireland: different calendars
The dates above apply to England and Wales. Scotland traditionally does not observe Easter Monday as a bank holiday, but it does get St Andrew’s Day on Monday 30 November 2026 — a three-day weekend all of its own. Scotland also observes 2 January as a bank holiday, which in 2026 falls on a Friday, extending the New Year break. Northern Ireland adds St Patrick’s Day (Tuesday 17 March 2026) and the Battle of the Boyne observance (Monday 13 July 2026) to its calendar. If you live outside England and Wales, always check your nation’s specific list — you may have more long weekends than you think.
Planning tips
A good habit is to review the holiday list at the start of each quarter, mark the dates that affect your work or family plans, and note any bridge days where taking one extra day creates a long weekend. Remember that rules for pay, closures and observances differ by country, region and employer.
Use this guide as a starting point, compare it with the official source for your location and check again closer to the date, since announcements and local arrangements can change. Sharing the dates early with family, colleagues and customers also avoids last-minute surprises.