When Is August Bank Holiday – Complete Dates for 2026 & 2027

The August bank holiday is one of the most anticipated long weekends in the UK, but its date varies depending on where you live. For 2026 and 2027, the holiday falls on different Mondays in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, a distinction that often catches travellers and event planners by surprise.

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the holiday is the last Monday in August. In Scotland, it is the first Monday in August. This pattern has been fixed for decades, although it was not always the case.

Below is the full breakdown of dates for 2026 and 2027, along with the historical and legal background that explains why the UK does not have one single August bank holiday.

When is the August bank holiday in the UK?

The answer depends on the nation. The table below provides a quick reference for the most commonly searched years.

Detail	Information
Date (England & Wales)	Last Monday in August – 31 August 2026, 30 August 2027
Date (Scotland)	First Monday in August – 3 August 2026, 2 August 2027
Also Known As	Summer Bank Holiday (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)
Official Source	UK Government – GOV.UK

Several key points help clarify the pattern:

The August bank holiday is not the same date across the UK; Scotland observes it a month earlier than England and Wales.
Northern Ireland follows the same schedule as England and Wales (last Monday in August).
The date was moved from the first Monday to the last Monday in England and Wales in 1971 to spread public holidays more evenly across the year.
The August bank holiday is one of only two bank holidays during the summer period in the UK, the other being the Spring bank holiday in May.
The legal basis is the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, which fixed the date for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Scotland retained the first Monday in August and continues to use that date.
Future years can be calculated in advance, but occasional one-off changes have occurred for royal events or special occasions.

August bank holiday 2025 date

For reference, in 2025 the August bank holiday falls on Monday, 25 August in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and on Monday, 4 August in Scotland.

August bank holiday 2026 date

In 2026, the holiday is on Monday, 31 August for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and on Monday, 3 August for Scotland. The Visit London calendar confirms the 31 August date for England and Wales.

August bank holiday 2027 date

In 2027, the dates are Monday, 30 August for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and Monday, 2 August for Scotland. Calendarpedia lists the same figures for all four nations.

Year	England, Wales & Northern Ireland	Scotland
2024	26 August	5 August
2025	25 August	4 August
2026	31 August	3 August
2027	30 August	2 August

When is the next bank holiday?

After the August bank holiday, the next UK-wide public holiday is Christmas Day (25 December) in England and Wales. In Scotland, St Andrew’s Day (30 November) may fall between August and Christmas, providing an additional break.

Planning Ahead

The GOV.UK calendar for each nation lists all remaining holidays in the year. For England and Wales, after the Summer bank holiday, there are typically no further public holidays until Christmas. Scotland’s St Andrew’s Day (30 November) is a bank holiday only in Scotland.

Next UK bank holiday list 2025

For 2025, after the August bank holiday (25 August in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; 4 August in Scotland), the next bank holiday is Christmas Day (25 December) for England and Wales, while Scotland has St Andrew’s Day on 30 November.

Upcoming bank holidays after August 2025

Travellers and businesses should note that the gap between the August bank holiday and the next public holiday is several months. This makes the August weekend a key period for domestic travel, events, and retail sales across the UK.

Are there different August bank holiday dates across the UK?

Yes, and this is where confusion most commonly arises. The UK’s four nations follow two distinct rules.

Scotland first Monday August bank holiday

Scotland observes the Summer bank holiday on the first Monday of August. In 2026 that is 3 August; in 2027 it is 2 August. The official schedule for Scotland is published by the UK Government for Scotland.

England and Wales last Monday August bank holiday

England and Wales use the last Monday of August. The holiday is officially called the Summer bank holiday on the GOV.UK calendar for England and Wales. In 2026 that is 31 August; in 2027 it is 30 August.

Northern Ireland August bank holiday date

Northern Ireland follows the same rule as England and Wales: the last Monday in August. The official Northern Ireland bank holiday schedule confirms this alignment. In 2026 and 2027 the dates are the same as England and Wales.

Regional Summary

England, Wales, and Northern Ireland share the last Monday of August. Scotland alone uses the first Monday of August. This difference dates back to changes made in the late 1960s and formalised by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.

What are all UK bank holidays for 2026 and 2027?

Below is the full schedule of bank holidays for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland for 2026 and 2027, based on the official government listings.

2026 bank holidays England and Wales

New Year’s Day – Thursday, 1 January
Good Friday – Friday, 3 April
Easter Monday – Monday, 6 April
Early May bank holiday – Monday, 4 May
Spring bank holiday – Monday, 25 May
Summer bank holiday – Monday, 31 August
Christmas Day – Friday, 25 December
Boxing Day – Monday, 28 December

2027 bank holidays Scotland

New Year’s Day – Friday, 1 January
2 January – Saturday, 2 January (substitute Monday, 4 January)
Good Friday – Friday, 26 March
Early May bank holiday – Monday, 3 May
Spring bank holiday – Monday, 31 May
Summer bank holiday – Monday, 2 August
St Andrew’s Day – Tuesday, 30 November
Christmas Day – Saturday, 25 December (substitute Monday, 27 December)
Boxing Day – Sunday, 26 December (substitute Tuesday, 28 December)

Full UK bank holiday calendar

For the complete list across all four nations, the UK Government bank holidays page provides downloadable calendars for each country.

Check Your Region

If you are planning travel or events, always confirm the bank holiday schedule for your specific nation. A date that is a public holiday in Scotland may be a normal working day in England, and vice versa. The GOV.UK site is the most reliable source for official confirmations.

Evolution of the August Bank Holiday

The August bank holiday has a well-documented history that explains the current regional split.

1871 – The Bank Holidays Act introduces the first Monday in August as a bank holiday for the entire United Kingdom.
1965–1971 – A trial period begins in which England and Wales move the holiday to the last Monday in August. Scotland retains the first Monday.
1971 – The Banking and Financial Dealings Act formalises the last Monday in August for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The full text of the 1971 Act is available through legislation.gov.uk.
1974 – Scotland permanently keeps the first Monday of August as its Summer Bank Holiday, confirming the two-track system that continues today.

Certainty vs Uncertainty – August Bank Holiday Dates

While the general pattern is stable, there are elements that are fixed and others that may shift.

Established Information

The date pattern (last Monday of August for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; first Monday for Scotland) is fixed by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.
Future dates can be calculated years in advance and are published by the UK Government.

Information That Remains Unclear

Occasional one-off changes can be made by the government, for example for royal events or extra holidays such as the Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
Dates for 2028 and beyond are not yet officially confirmed on GOV.UK but can be computed, subject to potential amendment.

Why the August bank holiday matters

The August bank holiday is a key long weekend for travel, events, and retail sales in the UK. Many businesses, schools, and tourist attractions operate on modified schedules, and the holiday frequently marks the final peak period of the summer season.

The regional variation often confuses visitors and residents who assume a single date applies across the whole country. Understanding the history and the legal framework helps explain why Scotland’s holiday falls a month earlier, giving Scots an additional late-summer break compared to the rest of the UK.

The Wikipedia article on the August Bank Holiday provides a broader overview of how the holiday is observed and its cultural significance.

Official Sources & Further Reading

The most authoritative sources for UK bank holiday dates are government websites and the legislation that underpins them.

The Summer bank holiday falls on the last Monday of August in England and Wales, and on the first Monday of August in Scotland.

– UK Government bank holidays page

The Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 specifies ‘the last Monday in August’ for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

– Wikipedia – August Bank Holiday

The original Bank Holidays Act of 1871 established the first Monday in August as a bank holiday for the whole of the United Kingdom.

– UK Parliament records

After the August bank holiday – what’s next?

Once the August bank holiday has passed, the next public holiday in England and Wales is Christmas Day (25 December). In Scotland, St Andrew’s Day (30 November) provides an earlier break. For those planning further ahead, the GOV.UK calendar lists all remaining holidays for each nation, and you can also check When Is Easter 2026 – Dates, Bank Holidays & School Breaks for details on early 2026 holidays.

Frequently asked questions about the August bank holiday

What is the August bank holiday?

The August bank holiday is a public holiday in the UK held on a Monday in August. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland it is the last Monday of August (Summer bank holiday). In Scotland it is the first Monday of August.

Why is the August bank holiday called the Summer bank holiday?

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the official name is ‘Summer bank holiday’ to distinguish it from the Spring bank holiday in May. In Scotland it is still commonly called the August bank holiday.

How many bank holidays does the UK have per year?

England and Wales have 8 public bank holidays per year; Scotland has 9 (including St Andrew’s Day); Northern Ireland has 10.

Is the August bank holiday always on a Monday?

Yes, by law it is always the first or last Monday of August depending on the country.

Can the August bank holiday date change?

The fixed pattern is stable, but occasionally the government can alter a specific year’s date for special events, such as a royal jubilee. Always check GOV.UK for the official list.

Does Northern Ireland have a different August bank holiday date?

No. Northern Ireland follows the same rule as England and Wales: the last Monday in August.

When is the August bank holiday in London?

London follows the England and Wales schedule. The August bank holiday in London is the last Monday of August: 31 August 2026 and 30 August 2027.

What is the difference between Summer bank holiday and August bank holiday?

They are the same holiday. ‘Summer bank holiday’ is the official name in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. ‘August bank holiday’ is the common name used in Scotland and in everyday speech across the UK.

Are shops open on the August bank holiday?

Many shops, supermarkets, and attractions operate on Sunday or holiday hours. Large stores in England and Wales may have reduced hours. In Scotland, restrictions are generally lighter.

Is the August bank holiday a statutory holiday?

Yes. In England and Wales it is a ‘bank holiday’ under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. In Scotland it is a ‘bank holiday’ by custom and practice.