2026 leave guide

Turn 18 days' leave into 31 days off in 2026

Book annual leave around the bank holidays and your allowance goes much further. Here are the smartest dates to book in 2026, worked out day by day.

31days off (England & Wales)

18days of leave

37days off for 18 (Scotland)

31days off for 18 (NI)

The plan: England & Wales

For a Monday–Friday worker. Change the allowance, nation or working days.

Book 11 days, get 19 days off

Thu 10 Dec – Mon 28 Dec 2026 · includes Christmas Day, Boxing Day

1.7× value

Thu
10 Fri
11 Sat
12 Sun
13 Mon
14 Tue
15 Wed
16 Thu
17 Fri
18 Sat
19 Sun
20 Mon
21 Tue
22 Wed
23 Thu
24 Fri
25 Sat
26 Sun
27 Mon
28

Book: Thu 10 Dec, Fri 11 Dec, Mon 14 Dec, Tue 15 Dec, Wed 16 Dec, Thu 17 Dec, Fri 18 Dec, Mon 21 Dec, Tue 22 Dec, Wed 23 Dec, Thu 24 Dec

Book 7 days, get 12 days off

Wed 30 Dec – Sun 10 Jan 2027 · includes New Year's Day

1.7× value

Wed
30 Thu
31 Fri
1 Sat
2 Sun
3 Mon
4 Tue
5 Wed
6 Thu
7 Fri
8 Sat
9 Sun
10

Book: Wed 30 Dec, Thu 31 Dec, Mon 4 Jan, Tue 5 Jan, Wed 6 Jan, Thu 7 Jan, Fri 8 Jan

Best options around each bank holiday

Bank holiday	Book	Days off	Dates
Christmas Day & Boxing Day & New Year's Day	1 day	5	Thu 24 Dec – Mon 28 Dec
	2 days	6	Wed 23 Dec – Mon 28 Dec
	3 days	10	Fri 25 Dec – Sun 3 Jan
	4 days	11	Thu 24 Dec – Sun 3 Jan
	5 days	12	Wed 23 Dec – Sun 3 Jan
	6 days	13	Tue 22 Dec – Sun 3 Jan
	7 days	16	Sat 19 Dec – Sun 3 Jan
	8 days	17	Fri 18 Dec – Sun 3 Jan
	9 days	18	Thu 17 Dec – Sun 3 Jan
	10 days	19	Wed 16 Dec – Sun 3 Jan

Scotland: 37 days off for 18

Break	Book	Days off	Includes
Sat 28 Nov – Sun 6 Dec	4 days	9	St Andrew's Day
Sat 12 Dec – Mon 28 Dec	9 days	17	Christmas Day, Boxing Day
Thu 31 Dec – Sun 10 Jan	5 days	11	New Year's Day, 2nd January

Northern Ireland: 31 days off for 18

Break	Book	Days off	Includes
Thu 10 Dec – Mon 28 Dec	11 days	19	Christmas Day, Boxing Day
Wed 30 Dec – Sun 10 Jan	7 days	12	New Year's Day

Republic of Ireland: 33 days off for 18

Break	Book	Days off	Includes
Sat 17 Oct – Mon 26 Oct	5 days	10	October bank holiday
Sat 12 Dec – Sun 3 Jan	13 days	23	Christmas Day, St Stephen's Day, New Year's Day

Tips for booking leave in 2026

Book early. The best-value dates are the same for everyone, so popular weeks around Easter and Christmas go fast.
Check your leave year. If yours runs April to March, Christmas and New Year may fall in different leave years – set that in the planner.
Part-time? Choose your working days in the planner. Bank holidays on your days off don't use up leave.
Get a reminder. Our free email reminders nudge you before each bank holiday.

Frequently asked questions

How do I maximise my leave in 2026?

Book annual leave next to bank holidays. In England and Wales, 18 days of leave used well gives 31 days off in 2026. Try the planner with your own allowance.

What is the best-value break in 2026?

Around Christmas Day: book 5 days and get 12 days off in a row (23 December to 3 January).

Will there be an extra bank holiday in 2026?

Any extra bank holiday announced by the government appears on this page automatically, and on our extra bank holidays page.

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