Overview
- England and Wales have eight named days — 1 January, 3 April, 6 April, 4 May, 25 May, 31 August, 25 December, and 28 December (substitute) — with seven still to come.
- Because Christmas Day falls on Friday and Boxing Day on Saturday in 2026, the Boxing Day bank holiday moves to Monday 28 December under the substitute‑day rule.
- Regional variations apply, with Northern Ireland observing 17 March for St Patrick’s Day and 13 July for the Battle of the Boyne, and Scotland marking 3 August for its summer bank holiday and 30 November for St Andrew’s Day.
- Officials reiterate that changes to bank holidays require a Royal Proclamation or legislation, reinforcing that no extra day has been scheduled this year.
- Consumer guidance citing Which? shows workers with a 28‑day allowance can expand their time off to as many as 63 days by aligning leave with bank holidays and weekends.