Though the core calendar of public holidays remains largely unchanged, key shifts in late December have drawn attention. The Boxing Day bank holiday, typically observed on 26 December, will be moved in both years, offering workers uninterrupted festive leave despite calendar clashes.
Changes to festive holidays confirmed for England and Wales
According to official listings on GOV.UK, Boxing Day in 2026 will fall on Saturday 26 December, with a substitute bank holiday provided on Monday 28 December. This measure ensures the public still receives time off despite the traditional date falling on a weekend. Christmas Day, on the other hand, will remain a standard bank holiday as it lands on a Friday that year.
In 2027, both Christmas Day and Boxing Day will fall over the weekend, on Saturday and Sunday respectively. As a result, substitute holidays will be introduced on Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December. These dates will be recognised across all four UK nations, ensuring uniformity in the festive period.
The UK Government defines substitute days as weekday replacements when a bank holiday falls on a weekend. These are usually assigned to the following Monday but may shift depending on calendar conflicts. This mechanism preserves the number of holidays workers are entitled to, even when the traditional dates align with non-working days.
Outside of the Christmas adjustments, the rest of the bank holiday calendar for England and Wales remains consistent with previous years. In 2026, the list includes Good Friday (3 April), Easter Monday (6 April), Early May Bank Holiday (4 May), Spring Bank Holiday (25 May), and Summer Bank Holiday (31 August). The same holidays, with slightly earlier Easter dates, are repeated in 2027.
Regional differences: how Scotland and Northern Ireland compare
While England and Wales share identical bank holiday calendars, Scotland and Northern Ireland observe additional days linked to regional and religious traditions. For instance, Scotland includes holidays such as 2 January, traditionally celebrated as part of Hogmanay, and St Andrew’s Day on 30 November. In 2026, Scots will also have Monday 28 December off in lieu of Boxing Day, aligning with the rest of the UK.
Northern Ireland, meanwhile, continues to observe holidays such as St Patrick’s Day (17 March) and the Battle of the Boyne (12 July). In 2026, the Orangemen’s Day holiday will fall on a Sunday, with a substitute day recognised on Monday 13 July. Like the other nations, Northern Ireland will also receive Monday 28 December off in place of Boxing Day.
While the number of total holidays varies slightly between nations, Scotland and Northern Ireland generally have nine or ten compared to eight in England and Wales, the principle of substitute days applies across the board.
For those who rely on government benefits, it’s also worth noting that bank holidays may affect the timing of payments. According to GOV.UK, claimants are advised to check how upcoming bank holidays could influence their benefit delivery dates, particularly over the Christmas and New Year period. In essence, the adjustments for 2026 and 2027 represent standard practice when holidays fall on weekends, but the confirmation allows early planners and employers to anticipate changes. Full details and region-specific calendars are now available on the UK Government’s official website.
