In 2026, Summer Bank Holiday falls on a Monday, giving many a long weekend.
About Summer Bank Holiday
The Summer Bank Holiday is a public holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that falls on the last Monday of August. Scotland instead observes its own bank holiday on the first Monday of August. Marking the last long weekend before autumn and the return to school, it was fixed on its current late-August date in 1971, having previously fallen earlier in the month.
The Summer Bank Holiday weekend hosts some of Britain's largest outdoor events, most famously the Notting Hill Carnival in London, one of Europe's biggest street festivals, celebrating Caribbean culture with parades, sound systems and food stalls. Across the country the weekend brings funfairs, music festivals, agricultural shows and seaside trips as people enjoy the last of the summer holidays. Banks, schools and offices close, while shops and attractions remain open.
Summer Bank Holiday · 2025–2030
Frequently asked questions
When is Summer Bank Holiday 2026 in United Kingdom?
Monday, Monday, 31 August 2026.
Is Summer Bank Holiday a public holiday in United Kingdom?
Summer Bank Holiday — Public holiday (United Kingdom).