The RAC has released the definitive list of bank and public holidays for the United Kingdom in 2026, providing an early overview for individuals and businesses to plan their schedules. The calendar confirms a total of eight national holidays, a number consistent with recent years, offering opportunities for extended weekends and breaks throughout the year.
The schedule begins with New Year's Day on Thursday, 1st January, followed by the Easter break, with Good Friday falling on 3rd April and Easter Monday on 6th April. May will see two bank holidays: the Early May Bank Holiday on Monday, 4th May, and the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday, 25th May. These dates are traditionally popular for short trips and home improvements.
The summer period includes the August Bank Holiday, observed on Monday, 31st August, providing a final long weekend before the autumn. Towards the end of the year, Christmas Day falls on Friday, 25th December, with Boxing Day on Saturday, 26th December. As Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, a substitute bank holiday will be observed on Monday, 28th December, ensuring workers receive their entitled public holiday.
For Scotland, the bank holiday calendar largely aligns with England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with the exception of an additional public holiday for St Andrew's Day on Monday, 30th November. Northern Ireland also observes an additional public holiday for St Patrick's Day on Tuesday, 17th March, and for the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day) on Monday, 13th July, reflecting their distinct cultural and historical observances.
The confirmation of these dates by the RAC is a practical announcement, enabling various sectors, from travel and tourism to retail and public services, to prepare for periods of increased activity or reduced operations. For employees, it offers clarity for planning annual leave around these fixed breaks, potentially maximising time off work.