England in 2026 has Easter falling early โ Easter Sunday is 5 April, placing Good Friday on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April. The Early May Bank Holiday is on 4 May and the Spring Bank Holiday on 25 May.
The Summer Bank Holiday falls on 31 August 2026. Christmas Day (25 December) lands on a Friday, giving England an automatic four-day festive weekend from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 December โ one of the more favourable Christmas placements of the decade.
Public Holidays 2026
View all โ
Nationwide Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | Thu | New Year's Day | Nationwide |
| 3 Apr 2026 | Fri | Good Friday | Nationwide |
| 6 Apr 2026 | Mon | Easter Monday | Nationwide |
| 4 May 2026 | Mon | Early May Bank Holiday | Nationwide |
| 25 May 2026 | Mon | Spring Bank Holiday | Nationwide |
| 31 Aug 2026 | Mon | Summer Bank Holiday | Nationwide |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Fri | Christmas Day | Nationwide |
| 28 Dec 2026 | Mon | Boxing Day (substitute) | Nationwide |
School Holidays 2026
View all regions โ
London โ School Holidays Overview
Easter Break
30.03.2026 - 10.04.2026
Summer Holidays
22.07.2026 - 31.08.2026
Christmas Break
21.12.2026 - 01.01.2027
Holidays by Region
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are English public holidays called "bank holidays"?
The term comes from the Bank Holidays Act 1871, which designated specific days on which banks must close. Since commerce largely relied on banking, these days effectively became national days of rest. The name has stuck even though the legal basis has since changed.
How many bank holidays does England have per year?
England typically has 8 bank holidays per year. In occasional years, an extra bank holiday may be proclaimed for special events such as a royal coronation or jubilee.
Is Boxing Day a public holiday in England?
Yes. 26 December (Boxing Day) is a bank holiday in England and Wales. It is not widely observed in most other countries, making it a distinctly British and Irish tradition.
Do school holidays differ between schools in England?
Yes. While there is a standard school year length, individual local authorities and academy trusts set their own term dates. Two schools in the same town can have slightly different holiday dates.
Are employees entitled to bank holidays in England?
There is no automatic legal right to take bank holidays as paid leave โ it depends on your employment contract. Most employment contracts do include bank holidays as part of the annual leave entitlement, but this should be checked individually.