Bank and public holidays in Northern Ireland
The expected dates and days of Northern Ireland bank and public holidays for this year, and the next year, are listed below.
| Bank or Public Holiday | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Wednesday 1 January | Thursday 1 January |
| St Patrick's Day | Monday 17 March | Tuesday 17 March |
| Good Friday | Friday 18 April | Friday 3 April |
| Easter Monday | Monday 21 April | Monday 6 April |
| May Day Bank Holiday | Monday 5 May | Monday 4 May |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday 26 May | Monday 25 May |
| Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen's Day | Monday 14 July** | Monday 13 July** |
| Summer Bank Holiday | Monday 25 August | Monday 31 August |
| Christmas Day | Thursday 25 December | Friday 25 December |
| Boxing Day | Friday 26 December | Monday 28 December*** |
*In 2025, Monday 14 July 2025 is a substitute day as 12 July falls on a Saturday.
**In 2026, Monday 13 July 2026 is a substitute day as 12 July falls on a Sunday.
***In 2026, Monday 28 December is a substitute day as 26 December falls on a Saturday.
What are bank and public holidays?
Bank holidays are holidays when banks and many other businesses are closed for the day. Public holidays are holidays that have been observed through custom and practice, such as Christmas Day.
Special bank holidays
There are laws that allow the dates of bank holidays to be changed, or other holidays to be declared, for example, to celebrate special occasions.
Time off for staff on bank or public holidays
As an employer, you don't have to provide paid leave on bank and public holidays, though many employers will provide this. Any right to time off or extra pay for working on a bank holiday depends on the terms of the employment contract with your employees.
Find out about employees' rights on pay and time off on public and bank holidays and for more information about paid leave, see know how much holiday to give your staff.