UK Key Dates 2026

25 January 2026

Scottish celebration of poet Robert Burns, with traditional supper of haggis, neeps and tatties.

17 February 2026

The start of the Year of the Horse, celebrated with lion dances, lanterns and family gatherings.

17 February 2026

Traditional day for making pancakes before the start of Lent.

17 February 2026

9 February 2027

29 February 2028

1 March 2026

National day of Wales, celebrating the patron saint with daffodils, leeks and cultural events.

2 March 2026

National Offer Day when families receive secondary school place offers for September entry.

5 March 2026

Annual celebration of reading, with children dressing as book characters.

8 March 2026

Global day celebrating women's achievements and raising awareness of gender equality.

13 March 2026

Major UK charity fundraiser with comedy events, challenges and red noses in schools and workplaces.

15 March 2026

UK Mother's Day, falling on the fourth Sunday in Lent, three weeks before Easter.

17 March 2026

Celebration of the patron saint of Ireland with parades, music and wearing green.

20 March 2026

Festival marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated with prayers, feasting and gifts. Date is approximate and depends on moon sighting.

20 March 2026

UN-designated day to recognise the importance of happiness and well-being as universal goals.

20 March 2026

The first day of astronomical spring, when day and night are roughly equal in length.

29 March 2026

Clocks go forward one hour to British Summer Time at 1am on the last Sunday in March.

29 March 2026

7 March 2027

UK Mother's Day, falling on the fourth Sunday in Lent, three weeks before Easter.

26 March 2027

Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus. A UK bank holiday.

28 March 2027

Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, marked by egg hunts and family gatherings.

28 March 2027

Bank holiday following Easter Sunday, a popular day for family outings and activities.

28 March 2027

26 March 2028

UK Mother's Day, falling on the fourth Sunday in Lent, three weeks before Easter.

26 March 2028

2 April 2026

International day raising awareness about autism and promoting acceptance and inclusion.

3 April 2026

Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus. A UK bank holiday.

5 April 2026

Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, marked by egg hunts and family gatherings.

6 April 2026

Bank holiday following Easter Sunday, a popular day for family outings and activities.

16 April 2026

National Offer Day when families receive primary school reception place offers for September entry.

22 April 2026

Annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection, with school and community activities.

23 April 2026

National day of England, celebrating the patron saint with flags and community events.

13 April 2028

Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus. A UK bank holiday.

15 April 2028

Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, marked by egg hunts and family gatherings.

16 April 2028

Bank holiday following Easter Sunday, a popular day for family outings and activities.

11 May 2026

National Curriculum Tests week for Year 6 pupils in England, covering reading, maths and grammar.

11 May 2026

UK-wide week hosted by the Mental Health Foundation to raise awareness of mental health issues.

18 May 2026

The GCSE exam season typically begins in mid-May and runs through to late June.

18 May 2026

The A-Level exam season typically begins in mid-May and runs through to late June.

27 May 2026

The Festival of Sacrifice, one of the most important dates in the Islamic calendar. Date is approximate and depends on moon sighting.

1 June 2026

Month-long celebration of LGBTQ+ communities, with parades, events and activities throughout June.

5 June 2026

UN day encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect the environment.

21 June 2026

Day to honour fathers and father figures, celebrated on the third Sunday in June.

21 June 2026

The longest day of the year, marking the start of astronomical summer.

13 August 2026

Students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland receive their A-Level and BTEC results.

20 August 2026

Students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland receive their GCSE results.

22 September 2026

The first day of astronomical autumn, when day and night are roughly equal in length.

25 September 2026

The UK's biggest coffee morning, raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

27 September 2026

Traditional celebration of the harvest, often marked in schools and churches with food donations.

1 October 2026

Month-long celebration throughout October recognising the contributions of Black people to British society.

1 October 2026

Annual celebration of poetry in schools and communities across the UK.

10 October 2026

International day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy.

20 October 2026

The Hindu festival of lights, celebrated with lamps, fireworks, sweets and family gatherings. Date is approximate.

24 October 2026

25 October 2026

Clocks go back one hour to Greenwich Mean Time at 2am on the last Sunday in October.

31 October 2026

Popular celebration with trick-or-treating, costumes, pumpkin carving and spooky events.

30 October 2027

28 October 2028

5 November 2026

Guy Fawkes Night, celebrated with bonfires, fireworks and sparklers.

8 November 2026

National day of remembrance for those who have served and sacrificed in the armed forces, marked with two-minute silence and wreath laying.

11 November 2026

Armistice Day, marked with a two-minute silence at 11am to honour those who served in the armed forces.

13 November 2026

International day promoting kindness and compassion, with school and community activities.

16 November 2026

Week-long campaign in schools across the UK raising awareness about bullying and promoting respect.

20 November 2026

BBC's annual charity fundraiser supporting disadvantaged children across the UK, with Pudsey Bear.

30 November 2026

National day of Scotland, celebrating the patron saint. A bank holiday in Scotland.

8 December 2026

The Jewish Festival of Lights, lasting eight days with the lighting of the menorah and family celebrations. Date is approximate.

21 December 2026

The shortest day of the year, marking the start of astronomical winter.