When is Easter 2026? UK bank holiday dates in April

After nearly three months straight without a national day off, Brits are long overdue a bank holiday. Luckily, there are several right around the corner. 

Easter eggs began lining supermarket shelves before some of us had even begun taking our Christmas trees down. We can all agree that January is far to early to start filling your cupboards with Easter bits – but now that there’s less than a month until the big weekend, it’s finally socially acceptable to fill your basket with Mini Eggs, chocolate rabbits and hot cross buns. 

This year, Easter weekend will roll around a whole two weeks earlier than it did in 2025. And most of us will get not one but two bank holidays to celebrate. Here’s all the crucial info. 

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When is Easter this year? 

For 2026, Good Friday falls on April 3, Easter Sunday is April 5 and Easter Monday in April 6. People in England and Wales will be treated to a bank holiday on both the Friday and Monday. 

Why does Easter’s date always change?

The date of Easter each year is determined by the spring equinox (when spring starts in the astronomical calendar) and full moon cycle. It takes place on the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox. This year, the equinox is on March 20 and the first full moon (known as the Pink Moon) is April 2. 

How to spend Easter 2026 in the UK

Most importantly, find somewhere for a really good roast. Time Out’s list of the greatest gastropubs in the country is a good place to start. Then, you need a nice long country walk – take your pick from Time Out’s favourite forests to visit in the UK or our roundup of the most breathtaking hikes in the UK.

The rest of the extra-long bank holiday weekend is a great opportunity to go on a day trip – from Stockport to Anglesey, take a look at our list of the British towns, cities and regions that are particularly worth a visit in 2026. 

If you happen to be in London for the long weekend, discover the best ways to spend it with help from our expert guides, which are curated by locals. 

When is the UK’s next bank holiday? 

It won’t be too long before we get another long weekend. After Easter the next UK public hols will be on Monday May 4, followed by Monday May 25. 

Plus: A British city was crowned the third best in the world in Time Out’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel 2026. 

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