Public holidays

Public holidays in the United Kingdom are statutory days when most businesses close and employees are entitled to paid time off. The current recognised public holidays include New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and in Scotland, additional holidays such as 2 January and Victoria Day. The specific dates vary slightly by constituent country within the UK, with Scotland observing different holidays than England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Public holiday entitlements are governed by the Employment Rights Act 1996 and the Working Time Regulations 1998. These laws establish the minimum statutory rights employees must receive, though individual employers may offer additional holidays beyond the legal minimum.

For 2026, the UK public holiday calendar includes New Year's Day on Thursday 1 January, Good Friday on Friday 3 April, Easter Monday on Monday 6 April, May Day on Monday 4 May, Spring Bank Holiday on Monday 20 April, Summer Bank Holiday on Monday 18 May, and Christmas Day on Friday 25 December, with Boxing Day observed on Monday 28 December. Scotland observes an additional public holiday on Friday 2 January 2026.

Employers must ensure employees receive their statutory entitlement to paid leave on public holidays, or alternatively provide equivalent paid time off on different dates if business operations require staff to work on these days. Payroll teams should maintain accurate records of public holiday payments and ensure compliance with relevant tax and National Insurance obligations when processing holiday pay.