UK Bank HolidayUK-wide bank holiday
Is Good Friday a bank holiday?
Yes. Good Friday is a bank holiday in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Good Friday 2027 is on Friday 26 March 2027. The Friday before Easter Sunday.
Next (all of the UK)
Friday 26 March 2027
in 138 days
| Year | England & Wales | Scotland | N. Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028 | Fri 14 Apr | Fri 14 Apr | Fri 14 Apr |
| 2027 | Fri 26 Mar | Fri 26 Mar | Fri 26 Mar |
| 2026 | Fri 3 Apr | Fri 3 Apr | Fri 3 Apr |
| 2025 | Fri 18 Apr | Fri 18 Apr | Fri 18 Apr |
| 2024 | Fri 29 Mar | Fri 29 Mar | Fri 29 Mar |
| 2023 | Fri 7 Apr | Fri 7 Apr | Fri 7 Apr |
| 2022 | Fri 15 Apr | Fri 15 Apr | Fri 15 Apr |
| 2021 | Fri 2 Apr | Fri 2 Apr | Fri 2 Apr |
| 2020 | Fri 10 Apr | Fri 10 Apr | Fri 10 Apr |
| 2019 | Fri 19 Apr | Fri 19 Apr | Fri 19 Apr |
About Good Friday
Good Friday falls two days before Easter Sunday, so its date changes every year with Easter, anywhere from 20 March to 23 April.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland it is a ‘common law’ holiday rather than a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, but in practice it is treated the same way. It is a bank holiday in Scotland too.
Employers do not have to give bank holidays as paid days off; whether you get the day off depends on your contract.
If it falls on a weekend
Good Friday is always a Friday, so it never falls at a weekend and never has a substitute day.
Frequently asked questions
Is Good Friday a bank holiday?
Yes. Good Friday is a public holiday in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland it is technically a ‘common law’ holiday rather than a bank holiday under the 1971 Act, but it is treated the same way, and GOV.UK lists it as a bank holiday.
When is Good Friday 2026?
Friday 3 April 2026 in England and Wales; Friday 3 April 2026 in Scotland; Friday 3 April 2026 in Northern Ireland.
When is Good Friday 2027?
Friday 26 March 2027 in England and Wales; Friday 26 March 2027 in Scotland; Friday 26 March 2027 in Northern Ireland.
When is Good Friday 2028?
Friday 14 April 2028 in England and Wales; Friday 14 April 2028 in Scotland; Friday 14 April 2028 in Northern Ireland.
Is Good Friday a bank holiday everywhere in the UK?
Yes: it is a bank holiday in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
What happens if Good Friday falls on a weekend?
Good Friday is always a Friday, so it never falls at a weekend and never has a substitute day.
Is Easter Sunday a bank holiday?
No. Easter Sunday is not a bank holiday anywhere in the UK, because it is already a Sunday. The Easter bank holidays are Good Friday and, except in Scotland, Easter Monday.
Are shops open on Good Friday?
Usually yes. In England and Wales there are no special trading restrictions on Good Friday; the days when large shops must close are Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.
Other bank holidays
Easter bank holidays 2027Easter bank holidays for 2026–2028New Year’s Day1 January, or the next weekday if it falls at a weekend2nd January2 January, Scotland only, moved to a weekday if neededSt Patrick’s Day17 March, Northern Ireland only, moved to a weekday if neededEaster MondayThe Monday after Easter Sunday (not Scotland)Early May bank holidayThe first Monday in MaySpring bank holidayThe last Monday in MayWorld Cup bank holidayMonday 15 June 2026, Scotland only (one-off)Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day)12 July, Northern Ireland only, moved to a weekday if neededAll England and Wales bank holidaysEngland and Wales dates and calendarAll Scotland bank holidaysScotland dates and calendarAll Northern Ireland bank holidaysNorthern Ireland dates and calendar