Public holidays · 2026
New Year's Day falls on Thursday, 1 January 2026 in United Kingdom in 2026.
A public holiday across United Kingdom: most employees have the day off.
In 2026 it falls on a Thursday, a working day.
Fixed date: it is on the same day of the year every year (1 Jan).
Saturday and Sunday · A public holiday does not always close every business. Essential services, shops and some industries keep working, and pay rules differ by country and contract.
New Year's Day marks the first day of the calendar year in the Gregorian system, the civil calendar used in almost every country in the world. It follows New Year's Eve, and for many people the celebration runs across both nights, with fireworks at midnight, family meals, toasts, public concerts in city squares and a general feeling of starting afresh. In many countries the day also has its own traditions, such as eating particular foods for luck, making resolutions, or watching the New Year's concert from Vienna, and in some places swimming or hiking events welcome the first morning of the year.
Unlike most holidays, it has no single religious or national story attached to it. In Christian countries 1 January also falls within the Christmas season, and in the Catholic Church it is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, but for most observers the day is simply a pause between one year and the next, often spent resting, visiting relatives or watching sport after a late night. Because it comes straight after Christmas, it also closes the long winter holiday period that many families and businesses treat as a single stretch of leave.
Everywhere in United Kingdom.
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Questions
A public holiday across United Kingdom: most employees have the day off.
Thursday, 1 January 2026.