UK Bank Holidays & School Holidays 2026 – Official Dates

<h1>UK Bank Holidays and School Holidays in 2026 &ndash; Official Dates &amp; Complete Guide</h1> <h3>Introduction</h3> <p>Planning ahead for 2026 is essential for families, employees, and travellers. Whether you are arranging childcare, booking a holiday, or managing business schedules, knowing the official <strong>UK bank holidays</strong> and <strong>school term dates</strong> is a must.</p> <p>In this guide, we&rsquo;ll share the <strong>official 2026 bank holiday dates for England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland</strong>, as well as examples of <strong>school holiday calendars</strong> from local authorities across the country.</p> <hr /> <h2>UK Bank Holidays in 2026</h2> <h3>England &amp; Wales</h3> <ul> <li> <p><strong>1 January (Thursday)</strong> &ndash; New Year&rsquo;s Day</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>3 April (Friday)</strong> &ndash; Good Friday</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>6 April (Monday)</strong> &ndash; Easter Monday</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>4 May (Monday)</strong> &ndash; Early May Bank Holiday</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>25 May (Monday)</strong> &ndash; Spring Bank Holiday</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>31 August (Monday)</strong> &ndash; Summer Bank Holiday</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>25 December (Friday)</strong> &ndash; Christmas Day</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>28 December (Monday)</strong> &ndash; Boxing Day (substitute, as 26 December falls on Saturday)</p> </li> </ul> <h3>Scotland</h3> <p>In addition to the above, Scotland observes:</p> <ul> <li> <p><strong>2 January (Friday)</strong> &ndash; 2nd January Holiday</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>3 August (Monday)</strong> &ndash; Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland)</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>30 November (Monday)</strong> &ndash; St Andrew&rsquo;s Day</p> </li> </ul> <h3>Northern Ireland</h3> <p>In addition to the above, Northern Ireland observes:</p> <ul> <li> <p><strong>17 March (Tuesday)</strong> &ndash; St Patrick&rsquo;s Day</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>13 July (Monday)</strong> &ndash; Battle of the Boyne (substitute holiday)</p> </li> </ul> <hr /> <h2>School Term Dates for 2025&ndash;2026 (England Examples)</h2> <p>School term dates in the UK vary by <strong>local authority</strong> and individual schools (especially academies and private schools). Below are official examples from local council websites:</p> <h3>Southampton (2025&ndash;2026)</h3> <ul> <li> <p><strong>Autumn Term 1</strong>: 3 Sept &ndash; 24 Oct 2025</p> <ul> <li> <p>Half Term: 27&ndash;31 Oct 2025</p> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <p><strong>Autumn Term 2</strong>: 3 Nov &ndash; 19 Dec 2025</p> <ul> <li> <p>Christmas Holiday: 22 Dec 2025 &ndash; 2 Jan 2026</p> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <p><strong>Spring Term 1</strong>: 5 Jan &ndash; 13 Feb 2026</p> <ul> <li> <p>Half Term: 16&ndash;20 Feb 2026</p> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <p><strong>Spring Term 2</strong>: 23 Feb &ndash; 27 Mar 2026</p> <ul> <li> <p>Easter Holiday: 30 Mar &ndash; 10 Apr 2026</p> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <p><strong>Summer Term 1</strong>: 13 Apr &ndash; 22 May 2026</p> <ul> <li> <p>Half Term: 25&ndash;29 May 2026</p> </li> </ul> </li> <li> <p><strong>Summer Term 2</strong>: 1 Jun &ndash; 22 Jul 2026</p> </li> </ul> <h3>Kent (2025&ndash;2026)</h3> <ul> <li> <p>Term 1: 1 Sept &ndash; 17 Oct 2025</p> </li> <li> <p>Term 2: 27 Oct &ndash; 19 Dec 2025</p> </li> <li> <p>Term 3: 5 Jan &ndash; 13 Feb 2026</p> </li> <li> <p>Term 4: 23 Feb &ndash; 2 Apr 2026</p> </li> <li> <p>Term 5: 20 Apr &ndash; 22 May 2026</p> </li> <li> <p>Term 6: 1 Jun &ndash; 21 Jul 2026</p> </li> </ul> <h3>Norfolk (2025&ndash;2026)</h3> <ul> <li> <p>Autumn: 3 Sept &ndash; 24 Oct 2025; Half Term: 27&ndash;31 Oct</p> </li> <li> <p>Autumn 2: 3 Nov &ndash; 19 Dec; Christmas: 22 Dec &ndash; 5 Jan</p> </li> <li> <p>Spring: 6 Jan &ndash; 13 Feb 2026; Half Term: 16&ndash;20 Feb</p> </li> <li> <p>Spring 2: 23 Feb &ndash; 27 Mar; Easter: 30 Mar &ndash; 13 Apr</p> </li> <li> <p>Summer: 14 Apr &ndash; 17 Jul 2026</p> </li> </ul> <h3>Royal Greenwich (2025&ndash;2026)</h3> <ul> <li> <p>Term 1: 1 Sept &ndash; 24 Oct 2025</p> </li> <li> <p>Term 2: 3 Nov &ndash; 19 Dec 2025</p> </li> <li> <p>Term 3: 5 Jan &ndash; 13 Feb 2026</p> </li> <li> <p>Term 4: 23 Feb &ndash; 27 Mar 2026</p> </li> <li> <p>Term 5: 13 Apr &ndash; 22 May 2026</p> </li> <li> <p>Term 6: 1 Jun &ndash; 20 Jul 2026</p> </li> </ul> <hr /> <h2>Regional Variations</h2> <ul> <li> <p><strong>Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland</strong> publish their own school term calendars, often with slightly different start and end dates.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Academies and independent schools</strong> can set their own schedules.</p> </li> <li> <p>Always check your <strong>local authority website</strong> or your child&rsquo;s <strong>school calendar</strong> for the exact dates.</p> </li> </ul>