United Kingdom: public holidays, long weekends, and school breaks
Which 2026 holidays actually give you time off in United Kingdom, and where a single leave day buys you a four-day weekend.
United Kingdom observes five public holidays in 2026, of which five fall on a working day.
- United Kingdom has 5 public holidays in 2026.
- None of them fall on a weekend, so every holiday gives you a day off work.
- 5 already fall on a Monday or Friday, giving a three-day weekend for no leave at all.
Best long weekends
View all2 January
Dec 31, 2025 to Jan 3, 2026
Good Friday + Easter Monday
Apr 1, 2026 to Apr 4, 2026
Christmas Day + St. Stephen's Day
Dec 23, 2026 to Dec 26, 2026
Saint Patrick's Day
Mar 13, 2026 to Mar 21, 2026
Good Friday + Easter Monday
Mar 27, 2026 to Apr 4, 2026
Christmas Day + St. Stephen's Day
Dec 18, 2026 to Dec 26, 2026
Public holiday snapshot
Full calendar| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | New Year's Day | REGIONAL |
| Jan 2, 2026 | 2 January | REGIONAL |
| Mar 17, 2026 | Saint Patrick's Day | REGIONAL |
| Apr 3, 2026 | Good Friday | NATIONAL |
| Apr 6, 2026 | Easter Monday | REGIONAL |
| May 4, 2026 | Early May Bank Holiday | NATIONAL |
| May 25, 2026 | Spring Bank Holiday | NATIONAL |
| Jun 15, 2026 | World Cup Bank Holiday | REGIONAL |
More ways to maximize your time off
Take 7 days off
See what 7 leave days can unlock in 2026.
Public holidays in 2026
Review the official holiday calendar.
Long weekends in 2026
Check the ranked break windows for the year.
France vs United Kingdom
Compare public holidays and long weekends for 2026.
United Kingdom vs Germany
Compare public holidays and long weekends for 2026.
United Kingdom vs Spain
Compare public holidays and long weekends for 2026.
Travel ideas
Browse allBastille Day Long Weekend: Paris to Provence in 4 Days
Catch the July 14 parade and Eiffel Tower fireworks in Paris, then unwind among Provence's lavender fields — all in one bridged long weekend.
Netherlands & Belgium in 5 Days without Rush
A smart multi-city route across the Netherlands and Belgium using trains, mixing iconic cities with hidden gems for a balanced and realistic trip.
Lake Como Ferragosto Long Weekend
A four-day Ferragosto escape to Lake Como — villa gardens, ferry-hopping between Bellagio and Varenna, and a boat picnic on Italy's most cinematic lake, timed to the Aug 15 Assumption Day holiday.
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Canada Public Holidays 2026: Long Weekend Guide
Every 2026 Canadian statutory and provincial holiday, the smartest bridge days, and the September stretch that turns four leave days into a nine-day break.
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Quick links
United Kingdom holiday questions, answered
How many public holidays does United Kingdom have in 2026?
United Kingdom has 5 public holidays in 2026. 5 of them fall on a working day and 0 fall on a weekend.
Which United Kingdom holidays fall on a weekend in 2026?
In 2026, no public holiday in United Kingdom falls on a weekend — all 5 land on working days.
Plan your time off in United Kingdom
Turn these dates into a real leave plan, or compare them with another country.