Thousands of people in the United Kingdom will benefit from a July bank holiday, following an additional day off in Scotland next fortnight. The extra holiday is confirmed for Northern Ireland, which will mark the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day) on 13 July. This comes shortly after Scotland celebrates its qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a bonus bank holiday.
Upcoming Bank Holidays in Northern Ireland
After the July holiday, Northern Ireland will observe the summer bank holiday on 31 August. Later this year, Christmas Day and Boxing Day will provide further time off. Christmas Day falls on 25 December, while Monday 28 December serves as a substitute for Boxing Day.
Bank Holidays in 2027
Looking ahead to next year, Northern Ireland's bank holidays include New Year's Day on 1 January, St Patrick's Day on 17 March, Good Friday on 26 March, and Easter Monday on 29 March. The two May bank holidays are scheduled for 3 May and 31 May. The Battle of the Boyne holiday returns on 12 July, followed by the summer bank holiday on 30 August. Christmas Day and Boxing Day will be observed on 27 and 28 December, respectively.
Understanding Bank Holiday Rules
If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday, typically the following Monday, becomes the bank holiday. Employees do not have a legal right to paid leave on bank or public holidays, although many employers grant the day off. The government can change bank holiday dates or declare additional holidays for special occasions. Any entitlement to time off or extra pay for working on a bank holiday depends on the terms of your employment contract.
