Easter 2026 Leave Planner UK

In 2026, Easter falls on the following dates:

• Good Friday: Friday 3 April 2026
• Easter Saturday: Saturday 4 April 2026
• Easter Sunday: Sunday 5 April 2026
• Easter Monday: Monday 6 April 2026 (bank holiday — England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland only)

Scotland does not observe Easter Monday as a bank holiday. Scottish workers should use the Scotland Easter planner.

Why Easter 2026 is worth planning carefully

Easter 2026 falls in early April, which means the period before and after it is full working weeks with no other bank holidays nearby. Good Friday on a Friday gives the cleanest stretch opportunities.

Option 1 — the classic Easter stretch (3 leave days, 9 days off)

Book these 3 leave days

• Wednesday 1 April
• Thursday 2 April
• Tuesday 7 April

Your break

• Wed 1 Apr — leave
• Thu 2 Apr — leave
• Fri 3 Apr — Good Friday (bank holiday)
• Sat 4 Apr — weekend
• Sun 5 Apr — weekend
• Mon 6 Apr — Easter Monday (bank holiday)
• Tue 7 Apr — leave
• Wed 8 Apr — back to work

Total: 7 consecutive days off using 3 leave days. Experienced as 9 days when you count the weekend before — from Friday 27 March to Sunday 12 April.

Option 2 — the extended Easter break (5 leave days, 14 days off)

Book these 5 leave days

• Monday 30 March
• Tuesday 31 March
• Wednesday 1 April
• Thursday 2 April
• Tuesday 7 April

Experienced as: departure Sunday 29 March, return Wednesday 8 April — 10 actual holiday days using 5 leave days. 2.0× efficiency.

Option 3 — maximum Easter (7 leave days, 16 days off)

Book these 7 leave days

• Monday 30 March
• Tuesday 31 March
• Wednesday 1 April
• Thursday 2 April
• Tuesday 7 April
• Wednesday 8 April
• Thursday 9 April

Your break: Saturday 28 March to Sunday 12 April — 16 calendar days, 7 leave days. Efficiency: 2.3×. A genuine two-week holiday for 25% of your annual allowance.

Easter 2026 — Scotland version

Scottish workers do not get Easter Monday. Book Monday 30 March, Tuesday 31 March, Wednesday 1 April and Thursday 2 April for 9 calendar days off (Sat 28 Mar to Sun 5 Apr) using 4 leave days. Use the Scotland calculator for personalised Scottish Easter planning.

Easter 2026 — Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland observes both Good Friday and Easter Monday — the classic Easter stretch (3 leave days, 7–9 days off) works identically.

How to get your Easter dates approved

Submit your request now. Many HR systems open leave booking for the following year in January.

Be specific in your request. Instead of "Easter leave," say "Annual leave 1–7 April 2026 (3 days leave, returning Wednesday 8 April)."

Offer flexibility on the margins. If your team is heavily booked over Easter, offer to swap.

Check your notice period. Most contracts require notice of at least twice the leave length.