Boxing Day 2026: 26 December and UK bank-holiday Monday 28 December
Boxing Day is 26 December. In 2026 that is a Saturday. GOV.UK’s England and Wales bank-holiday list therefore shows Christmas Day on Friday 25 December and Boxing Day (substitute day) on Monday 28 December—not Saturday 26 December as the paid bank holiday.
Key points
- Calendar Boxing Day = Saturday, 26 December 2026.
- England/Wales/NI bank holiday = Monday, 28 December 2026 (substitute).
- Christmas Day bank holiday = Friday, 25 December 2026.
GOV.UK dates (England and Wales, 2026)
| Date | Bank holiday name |
|---|---|
| 25 Dec 2026 (Fri) | Christmas Day |
| 28 Dec 2026 (Mon) | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
A royal proclamation appointed Monday 28 December 2026 in place of Saturday 26 December 2026 as the bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland uses the same Christmas/Boxing substitute pairing on GOV.UK.
What this means in practice
- Many shops run “Boxing Day sales” from 26 December even when the bank holiday is the Monday substitute.
- Banks and public bodies follow the bank-holiday Monday more than the Saturday calendar label.
- Plan travel for Fri 25 Dec + Mon 28 Dec closures; Saturday retail may still be busy with sales.
Not a U.S. federal holiday
In the United States, 26 December 2026 is an ordinary Saturday. Federal offices already closed Friday 25 December for Christmas; they do not get an extra Boxing Day holiday from OPM.
Last verified 2026-10-15 against the sources listed below.
FAQ
Is 26 December a bank holiday in 2026?
The calendar date is Boxing Day, but the England/Wales/NI bank holiday moves to Monday 28 December.
Is this a U.S. federal holiday?
No. OPM does not list Boxing Day.
Scotland?
Check the Scotland table on the same GOV.UK bank-holidays page—lists differ by nation.
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Drafts are AI-assisted and checked against official announcements. Dates, times and road rules that affect travel are sourced and dated. Rules can change—confirm on official sites before you go. Report corrections by email.