The 2026 UK bank holiday dates create some exceptional leave opportunities. Use 3 days at Christmas to get 10 days off, or 4 days at Easter for a 10-day break. Full ranked guide.
Calculate your exact holiday entitlement figures instantly
Open calculatorBest hack of 2026
Use 3 days AL at Christmas — get 10 days off
Book Tue 29, Wed 30, Thu 31 December. You get Friday 25 Dec to Sunday 3 January 2027 off — 10 consecutive days, using just 3 days of annual leave.
| Bank Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January 2026 | Thursday |
| Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Friday |
| Easter Monday | 6 April 2026 | Monday |
| Early May Bank Holiday | 4 May 2026 | Monday |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 26 May 2026 | Monday |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 31 August 2026 | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Friday |
| Boxing Day (substitute) | 28 December 2026 | Monday |
8 bank holidays in total for England and Wales. See below for Scotland differences.
Ready to calculate? Get your exact holiday entitlement figures.
Open calculatorThis is the standout opportunity in 2026. Christmas falls on a Friday and New Year's Day 2027 also falls on a Friday — meaning the two bank holiday clusters are bridged by just three working days.
| Date | Day | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Dec | Friday | Bank holiday (Christmas Day) |
| 26–27 Dec | Sat–Sun | Weekend |
| 28 Dec | Monday | Bank holiday (Boxing Day substitute) |
| 29 Dec | Tuesday | Book as annual leave |
| 30 Dec | Wednesday | Book as annual leave |
| 31 Dec | Thursday | Book as annual leave |
| 1 Jan 2027 | Friday | Bank holiday (New Year's Day) |
| 2–3 Jan 2027 | Sat–Sun | Weekend |
Use 3 AL days. Get 10 days off. Book now — this will go fast.
Easter 2026 falls early (3–6 April), giving you two bank holidays on a Friday and Monday. Bridge the week before and you get a full 10 days.
| Date | Day | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 28–29 Mar | Sat–Sun | Weekend |
| 30 Mar | Monday | Book as annual leave |
| 31 Mar | Tuesday | Book as annual leave |
| 1 Apr | Wednesday | Book as annual leave |
| 2 Apr | Thursday | Book as annual leave |
| 3 Apr | Friday | Bank holiday (Good Friday) |
| 4–5 Apr | Sat–Sun | Weekend |
| 6 Apr | Monday | Bank holiday (Easter Monday) |
Use 4 AL days. Get 10 days off.
The Early May Bank Holiday on Monday 4 May is perfectly placed. Take the rest of the week off and you get a 9-day break.
Book: Tue 5, Wed 6, Thu 7, Fri 8 May (4 days AL)
Get: Saturday 2 May – Sunday 10 May (9 days)
Quick win version: Just take Friday 1 May (1 AL day) for a 4-day weekend (Fri 1 – Mon 4 May). Best single-day ROI of the year.
The Spring Bank Holiday on Monday 25 May gives another long weekend anchor.
Book: Tue 26, Wed 27, Thu 28, Fri 29 May (4 days AL)
Get: Saturday 23 May – Sunday 31 May (9 days)
The simplest hack of the summer: take Friday 28 August off and get a 4-day weekend running to Monday 31 August (Bank Holiday).
Book: Fri 28 August (1 day AL)
Get: Friday 28 August – Monday 31 August (4 days)
Or extend it: add Tue 1 – Fri 4 September (5 AL total) for 10 days off.
New Year's Day falls on a Thursday. Take the Friday off and ease into 2026 properly.
Book: Fri 2 January (1 day AL)
Get: Thursday 1 – Sunday 4 January (4 days)
All rates in one printable card: NMW, employer NI, SSP, pension thresholds.