Plan Ahead for 2026: UK Bank Holidays & Delivery Advice
14 January 2025 | Editor's Pick | Most Popular | Parcel Deliveries | Tips and Guides
Author: Parcel2Go.com
We all love a bank holiday, but where does that leave you when it comes to sending your parcels?
Especially if you’re an online business, staying ahead of the curve with your shipping strategy is essential for keeping your customers satisfied. Casual senders, too, should plan ahead for bank holidays to avoid unexpected delays and ensure their parcels arrive on time.
Curious about managing shipping during UK Bank Holidays? We’ve got you covered! Check out our guide for tips on avoiding delays and making sure your shipping process runs smoothly, even on Bank Holidays.
Do Parcels Get Delivered on Bank Holidays?
Our couriers don't normally deliver parcels on bank holidays, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead for these dates to avoid your shipments being delayed.
However, should there be any exceptions for specific Bank Holidays, you can check our service updates for more information!
Understanding Courier Schedules
How many UK Bank Holidays there are depends on whether you’re in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or England and Wales.
England and Wales: 8 bank holidays
Scotland: 9 bank holidays
Northern Ireland: 10 bank holidays
Additional bank holidays can also be granted for special events such as the Coronation.
UK Bank Holiday 2026 Dates
This is the list of UK bank holidays 2026:
England & Wales - 2026 Bank Holidays
Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
Friday 3 April – Good Friday
Monday 6 April – Easter Monday
Monday 4 May – Early May Bank Holiday
Monday 25 May – Spring Bank Holiday
Monday 31 August – Summer Bank Holiday
Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
Monday 28 December – Boxing Day (substitute)
Scotland - 2026 Bank Holidays
Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
Friday 2 January – 2nd January
Friday 3 April – Good Friday
Monday 4 May – Early May Bank Holiday
Monday 25 May – Spring Bank Holiday
Monday 3 August – Summer Bank Holiday
Monday 30 November – St Andrew’s Day
Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
Monday 28 December – Boxing Day (substitute)
Northern Ireland - 2026 Bank Holidays
Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
Tuesday 17 March – St Patrick’s Day
Friday 3 April – Good Friday
Monday 6 April – Easter Monday
Monday 4 May – Early May Bank Holiday
Monday 25 May – Spring Bank Holiday
Monday 13 July – Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day – substitute)
Monday 31 August – Summer Bank Holiday
Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
Monday 28 December – Boxing Day (substitute)
Tips For Sending Parcels Around Bank Holidays
If you know you’ll need to send a parcel around bank holiday time, for example, if you’re sending gifts for Easter or Christmas, it’s always a good idea to send your parcels in plenty of time.
We’ll always do our best to deliver your parcels as quickly as possible, but delivery networks can get very busy at certain times of the year.
These are our top tips for how to plan your bank holiday deliveries:
Book Deliveries in Advance
Booking deliveries in advance is easy with our online booking system. Just get a quote to choose a service from some of the UK’s most trusted parcel couriers.
Don’t forget that collections also won’t take place on a bank holiday, and that drop-off locations may also be closed.
Use Express Services For Urgent Parcels
Our express and next day services are great for when you’re in a rush.
You can book express services with couriers such as UPS and Parcelforce, who will deliver your parcel to its destination within 1-3 days.
Next day delivery starts from just £2.74 exc VAT, and with couriers like DHL, UPS, and Parcelforce offering timed delivery services, your parcel could arrive by 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 10:30 am, or midday the very next day.