Spring bank holiday

Frequently asked questions

• When is the next bank holiday in England and Wales? ►
  The next bank holiday in England and Wales is shown in the countdown above. The upcoming bank holidays in 2026 are: Early May bank holiday (Monday 4 May), Spring bank holiday (Monday 25 May), Summer bank holiday (Monday 31 August), Christmas Day (Friday 25 December), and Boxing Day — a substitute day — (Monday 28 December).
• What days are Christmas and Boxing Day in 2026? ►
  Christmas Day in 2026 falls on Friday 25 December, which is a bank holiday. Boxing Day falls on Saturday 26 December — because this is a weekend, a substitute bank holiday is observed on Monday 28 December 2026. So in 2026 there are effectively two consecutive working-week bank holidays: Friday 25 December and Monday 28 December.
• When are the Easter bank holidays in 2027? ►
  The Easter bank holidays in England and Wales in 2027 are Good Friday on Friday 26 March 2027 and Easter Monday on Monday 29 March 2027.
• How many bank holidays are there in England and Wales in 2026? ►
  There are 8 bank holidays in England and Wales in 2026: New Year's Day (Thursday 1 January), Good Friday (Friday 3 April), Easter Monday (Monday 6 April), Early May bank holiday (Monday 4 May), Spring bank holiday (Monday 25 May), Summer bank holiday (Monday 31 August), Christmas Day (Friday 25 December), and Boxing Day — substitute day — (Monday 28 December).
• How many bank holidays are there in England and Wales in 2027? ►
  There are 8 bank holidays in England and Wales in 2027: New Year's Day (Friday 1 January), Good Friday (Friday 26 March), Easter Monday (Monday 29 March), Early May bank holiday (Monday 3 May), Spring bank holiday (Monday 31 May), Summer bank holiday (Monday 30 August), Christmas Day — substitute day — (Monday 27 December), and Boxing Day — substitute day — (Tuesday 28 December). Note that both Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on a weekend in 2027, so both are observed as substitute weekday holidays.
• What is a substitute bank holiday? ►
  A substitute bank holiday is a replacement day off that is given when a bank holiday falls on a weekend. When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute weekday — normally the following Monday — becomes the official bank holiday instead. For example, Boxing Day 2026 falls on Saturday 26 December, so a substitute bank holiday is observed on Monday 28 December 2026.
• Is the King's Birthday a bank holiday? ►
  No. The King's Birthday is not a public holiday in England and Wales. In 2026, King Charles III's official birthday falls on Saturday 20 June 2026. It is marked with the Trooping the Colour ceremony but it is not a bank holiday and working patterns are not affected.
• Is St. George's Day a bank holiday? ►
  No. St. George's Day is not a bank holiday in England. England marks the feast day of its patron saint, St. George, on 23 April each year — next observed on Friday 23 April 2027. While it is celebrated informally in many communities, it is not a public holiday and is not a day off work.
• Is St. David's Day a bank holiday? ►
  No. St. David's Day is not a bank holiday in Wales. Wales marks the feast day of its patron saint, St. David, on 1 March each year — next observed on Monday 1 March 2027. It is a day of national celebration in Wales but it is not a public holiday and is not a day off work.
• Does Scotland have different bank holidays? ►
  Yes. Scotland has different bank holidays from England and Wales. The dates and number of holidays vary. For the official and up-to-date list of Scottish bank holidays please refer to the UK Government's official website at gov.uk/bank-holidays.
• Does Northern Ireland have different bank holidays? ►
  Yes. Northern Ireland has different bank holidays from England and Wales. The dates and number of holidays vary. For the official and up-to-date list of Northern Ireland bank holidays please refer to the UK Government's official website at gov.uk/bank-holidays.