Public Holidays in United Kingdom: 2026–2028
The UK runs on bank holidays — 8 in England and Wales, with Scotland and Northern Ireland adding their own. When a bank holiday lands on a weekend, a substitute weekday is given instead, which is why some years feel extra generous.
This page lists every public and bank holiday in United Kingdom for 2026, 2027 and 2028 in one place. Use the month and year picker to jump to any month, or browse the whole year at a glance. Each entry shows the exact date, the weekday, the type of holiday and what it means for banks, offices, schools and shops.
Banks close on bank holidays and most offices and schools shut. Shops may open with Sunday-style hours, and public transport runs a reduced service. The calendar is updated with substitute and observed days where they apply, and lunar dates are clearly marked as expected until officially confirmed.
Dates marked expected follow the lunar calendar and are confirmed by official moon-sighting announcements — they may shift by a day.
Whole year
What closes on public holidays?
Guide to public holidays in United Kingdom
Bank holidays across the UK
The UK does not have one single list. England and Wales normally have eight bank holidays, Scotland nine and Northern Ireland ten. Scotland adds 2 January and St Andrew's Day, while Northern Ireland adds St Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne holiday in July.
Substitute days
When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday is usually given, often the following Monday. Christmas Day and Boxing Day falling at a weekend can push the days off to the Monday and Tuesday.
Do you get the day off?
There is no automatic legal right to have bank holidays off. Workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave, and employers can choose whether bank holidays count as part of that allowance. Check your contract for the details.
Planning tips
Banks, many offices and schools close, while shops and hospitality usually stay open. Public transport often runs a reduced or Sunday timetable, so check routes before you travel.