Berliner Tageblatt - UK Moves 2026 Boxing Day Bank Holiday to Monday

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UK Moves 2026 Boxing Day Bank Holiday to Monday

THINGS TO KNOW 29.08.2026

Boxing Day falls on a Saturday in 2026, meaning the UK bank holiday has been moved – here's everything you need to know about the substitute bank holiday dates in England and Wales

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The Boxing Day bank holiday is set to fall on an alternative date this year - here is everything you need to know. England and Wales typically have eight bank holidays each year, while Scotland has nine and Northern Ireland celebrates 10. Back in 2022, the UK enjoyed two additional bank holidays - one on June 3, 2022, to mark Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee, and another on September 19 for her state funeral.

There had been some speculation that the UK might have been granted an extra bank holiday in 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8, though this ultimately did not come to pass. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously hinted that an England World Cup victory could prompt discussions around an additional bank holiday, reports the Manchester Evening News . With just eight official bank holidays, England ranks among the lowest in the world for public holidays, beaten only by Mexico, which recognises a mere seven.

At the other end of the scale, India tops the global rankings with an impressive 21 national holidays. When Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day fall on a weekend, the Government designates a substitute bank holiday on a weekday to compensate. As Boxing Day in 2026 falls on Saturday, December 26, a substitute bank holiday has been allocated for Monday, December 28.

In 2027, both Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on a weekend, which means substitute bank holidays will fall on Monday, December 27, and Tuesday, December 28. Below are the confirmed bank holidays for the remainder of 2026 and throughout 2027 for England and Wales. Monday, August 31 - Summer Bank Holiday.

Friday, December 15 - Christmas Day. Monday, December 28 - Boxing Day (substitute day). Friday, January 1 - New Year's Day.

Friday, March 26 - Good Friday. Monday, March 29 - Easter Monday. Monday, May 3 - Early May Bank Holiday.

Monday, May 31 - Spring bank holiday. Monday, August 30 - Summer bank holiday. Monday, December 27 - Christmas Day (substitute day).

Tuesday, December 28 - Boxing Day (substitute day).

M.Ouellet--BTB