When is the next bank holiday?
The next bank holiday date in DAYREACH's England and Wales calendar is Christmas, on Friday, 25 December 2026. The countdown updates live, and this page moves on to the next date automatically after the current one has passed.
England and Wales share the main bank holiday calendar published by GOV.UK. Some holidays always fall on the same date, such as Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Others follow a rule: the Early May Bank Holiday is the first Monday in May, the Spring and Summer bank holidays are the last Monday of their month, and the Easter holidays move with Easter.
One important detail: when a fixed-date bank holiday falls on a weekend, the official day off can move to a substitute weekday. DAYREACH deliberately counts down to the named date itself — Christmas Day remains 25 December, for example — rather than turning this into a work-calendar calculator. If you need the official substitute day off, check the current GOV.UK bank holiday list linked below.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have some different bank holidays, so check the relevant national list if you are planning outside England and Wales.
What closes on a bank holiday?
A bank holiday does not require every business to close. Banks, many offices and most schools are usually closed, while shops, supermarkets and public transport may run reduced or changed hours. Whether you are entitled to paid time off depends on your employment contract.
School holidays are separate and are set locally. They do not always line up with bank holidays, so check your area on our school holiday pages if school dates matter to your plans.