When is Easter in 2026?
Easter is one of the most important Christian holidays and also a popular time for school breaks, family gatherings, and public celebrations in the UK. As Easter is a moveable feast, its date changes each year. In this article, we explain when Easter falls in 2026 and provide a list of the other official UK bank holidays for that year.
Easter Dates in 2026
In 2026, Easter will fall on the following dates:
- Good Friday: Friday 3rd April 2026
- Easter Sunday: Sunday 5th April 2026
- Easter Monday: Monday 6th April 2026 (bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
Easter is determined by the lunar calendar and always falls on the first Sunday after the full moon on or after 21st March. As a result, the date varies between late March and late April.
UK Bank Holidays in 2026
Alongside Easter, there are several other bank holidays in the UK. The exact dates can vary slightly depending on which part of the UK you live in (England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland). Below is a general list for 2026:
England and Wales
- New Year’s Day: Thursday 1st January
- Good Friday: Friday 3rd April
- Easter Monday: Monday 6th April
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4th May
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25th May
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 31st August
- Christmas Day: Friday 25th December
- Boxing Day (substitute): Monday 28th December
Scotland
- New Year’s Day: Thursday 1st January
- 2nd January: Friday 2nd January
- Good Friday: Friday 3rd April
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4th May
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25th May
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 3rd August
- St Andrew’s Day: Monday 30th November
- Christmas Day: Friday 25th December
- Boxing Day (substitute): Monday 28th December
Northern Ireland
- New Year’s Day: Thursday 1st January
- St Patrick’s Day: Tuesday 17th March
- Good Friday: Friday 3rd April
- Easter Monday: Monday 6th April
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4th May
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25th May
- Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day): Monday 13th July
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 31st August
- Christmas Day: Friday 25th December
- Boxing Day (substitute): Monday 28th December
Related Questions
Why does the date of Easter change every year?
Easter is based on the lunar calendar. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after 21st March, meaning it can fall anywhere between 22nd March and 25th April.
Do Scotland and Northern Ireland have different bank holidays?
Yes. Scotland observes 2nd January and St Andrew’s Day, while Northern Ireland has St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne as additional bank holidays.
Is Easter Monday a bank holiday everywhere in the UK?
No. Easter Monday is a bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not in Scotland.
Further Reading
- GOV.UK: UK Bank Holidays
- Time and Date: Easter Sunday in the UK
- Church of England: The Significance of Easter
