Yes, today — Friday 3 April 2026 — is a bank holiday in the United Kingdom. Good Friday is one of the most widely observed public holidays in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, marking the start of the four-day Easter bank holiday weekend.
Is It a Bank Holiday Today in the UK?
Good Friday 2026 falls on 3 April and is an official bank holiday across all four UK nations. The full Easter long weekend runs from today through to Easter Monday, 6 April 2026, giving most workers four consecutive days off. The next working day for most people will be Tuesday 7 April.
What’s Open and Closed on Good Friday 2026?
- Banks: High street branches are closed. Online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs remain operational.
- Post offices: Royal Mail does not deliver post on Good Friday. Most post office branches will be closed.
- Supermarkets: Most major supermarkets — Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, Marks and Spencer — are open on reduced or adjusted hours.
- High street shops: Open as normal. No legal trading restriction on Good Friday (unlike Easter Sunday).
- Pubs and restaurants: Open as normal, though likely busier than usual.
- GP surgeries: Closed. Contact NHS 111 for urgent medical advice.
- Schools: Closed across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland for the Easter holidays.
- Government offices: DWP offices, Jobcentres, and most local authority services are closed.
- Public transport: Running on a bank holiday timetable. Check National Rail and local operators for schedules.
Why Is Good Friday a Bank Holiday?
Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, observed by Christians around the world as one of the most solemn days in the religious calendar. In the UK, it has been recognised as a public holiday for centuries. The name is thought to derive from “God’s Friday” or from an older sense of “good” meaning “holy.”
Despite its Christian origins, Good Friday is observed as a general public holiday by people of all backgrounds across the UK. It is one of only two days per year when large stores in England and Wales are required by law to close — except the closed day is actually Easter Sunday, not Good Friday. Good Friday itself carries no such trading restrictions.
Easter Bank Holidays 2026: Full Dates
- Good Friday — 3 April 2026: Bank holiday in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland
- Easter Monday — 6 April 2026: Bank holiday in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland
Easter Saturday (4 April) and Easter Sunday (5 April) are not official bank holidays, though Easter Sunday carries trading restrictions for large shops in England and Wales.
DWP Benefits and Payments Over Easter
If you receive Universal Credit, Child Benefit, or other DWP payments, payments due on a bank holiday are typically paid on the last working day before the holiday. Any payments due today or on Easter Monday may have already been deposited earlier this week. The GOV.UK website and the Universal Credit online journal remain accessible throughout the Easter bank holiday weekend.
Travel on Good Friday 2026
Good Friday is one of the busiest travel days of the year on UK roads, with millions of people heading away for the long Easter weekend. The RAC has forecast significant congestion on major routes, particularly on motorways and A-roads heading to coastal resorts and rural areas during late morning and afternoon.
Train services are running on an amended timetable with some routes suspended due to engineering works. London Underground services are running, though some lines may have amendments. Travellers are urged to check their specific routes before heading out.
Whether you are spending today with family, getting away for a few days, or simply enjoying a well-earned rest, Good Friday 2026 is an official day of rest for most of the UK — and the beginning of one of the most popular long weekends of the year.