2026 U.K. School Holidays: Full Calendar of Dates and Key Breaks

Is the Grinch Happy Meal Available in the U.K.?

Complete UK Calendar: January 2026

UK Calendar for January 2026

Overview of January 2026 in the United Kingdom

January marks the start of a new year and the midpoint of winter across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The month begins with a bank holiday, followed by cultural celebrations, sporting fixtures, and seasonal festivals. It’s also a planning period: people return to work, schools reopen, and cities ease back into routine after the Christmas season.

For anyone organising travel, events, business campaigns, editorial calendars, or social content, this full UK January 2026 guide gives you accurate dates and context for every notable occasion.

1. Official UK Holidays in January 2026

New Year’s Day – UK-wide Bank Holiday

Date: Thursday, 1 January 2026
New Year’s Day is celebrated across all four nations. Businesses, schools, banks, and public offices close. Many people spend the day with family or enjoy televised concerts and sporting events. Transport operates on reduced schedules.

New Year Holiday (Scotland)

Date: Friday, 2 January 2026
This is a Scottish bank holiday, making the start of the year a two-day break. Streets are quieter, and many workplaces remain closed. It also helps support Scotland’s tradition of extended Hogmanay celebrations.

2. Cultural Festivals and Events Across the UK

January brings a mix of winter traditions and early-year entertainment events. Some are national, while others are tied to specific regions.

Hogmanay (Scotland)

Date: Continuing into 1–2 January
Scotland’s New Year celebrations often stretch past midnight into the first days of January. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, and Aberdeen host street parties, torchlit processions, fireworks, and live music. Visitors can still catch smaller events on the 1st and 2nd.

Epiphany

Date: Tuesday, 6 January 2026
Epiphany is observed by Christian communities across the UK. While not a public holiday, churches hold services and choral performances. The date appears in many cultural calendars and school assemblies.

Orthodox Christmas

Date: Wednesday, 7 January 2026
Eastern Orthodox communities mark Christmas with liturgy, music, and family gatherings. Large celebrations can be found in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and parts of Scotland.

Burns Night (Scotland and UK-wide)

Date: Sunday, 25 January 2026
Burns Night honors Scottish poet Robert Burns. It’s widely celebrated with formal dinners, poetry readings, bagpipes, and traditional dishes like haggis, neeps, and tatties. While it’s most popular in Scotland, events also run across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Chinese New Year (Preparations begin late January)

Date of 2026 festival: 17 February
Although the official date falls in February, Chinatowns in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Newcastle often begin early preparations and promotional events in late January.

Major UK Sports Events in January 2026

FA Cup third round draw

Premier League Football

January is a heavy month in the football calendar. Fixtures run weekly, and early-year form often shapes the rest of the season. National interest remains high across all clubs.

FA Cup Third Round

Date: Weekend of 3–4 January 2026
One of the best-known rounds of the FA Cup, bringing Premier League teams into the competition. Cup upsets and packed stadiums draw major attention from fans and media.

Scottish Premiership and EFL Fixtures

Lower-league and Scottish fixtures continue throughout January. Weather can affect match schedules, especially in northern regions.

Darts, Snooker, and Indoor Events

January typically includes professional darts tournaments, snooker championships, and various indoor competitions. These events attract strong TV audiences, making them useful for campaign tie-ins.

January Business, Retail, and Travel Notes

Post-Christmas Sales

Throughout the first half of January, retailers across the UK continue major clearance sales. Shopping centres stay busy, especially in cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

Return-to-Work and Education

Schools usually reopen during the first week of January. Businesses shift into planning mode for the year, making it a good month for career, finance, and wellness-related content.

Travel Considerations

• Train services return to normal after the holiday period, though early-month engineering works may affect routes.

• Winter weather can bring snow or heavy rain, especially in Scotland and northern England.

• Hotel prices drop after New Year’s Eve, which benefits travellers and event planners.

Winter Festivals and Seasonal Attractions

Winter Lights Festivals (Various Cities)

London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and other major cities often host winter lights installations from January into February. These include interactive displays and night-time art trails.

Pantomime Season Wrap-Up

Many Christmas theatre pantomimes continue through the first week of January. They remain popular family outings in nearly every major UK city.

Ice Rinks and Winter Activities

Seasonal ice rinks in London (Somerset House, Hyde Park), Edinburgh, Cardiff, and other cities stay open into early or mid-January, depending on weather and demand.

FAQs

1. How many bank holidays are there in January 2026?

There are two:

• New Year’s Day (UK-wide)

• New Year Holiday (Scotland only)

2. Does the UK celebrate Epiphany as a public holiday?

No. It’s observed in churches but isn’t a bank holiday.

3. What is the biggest cultural event in January?

Burns Night is the most widely recognised cultural celebration across the UK.

4. Are January sales still popular in 2026?

Yes. Retailers rely heavily on New Year shopping, and many run large sales until mid-January.

5. What is the weather like in January in the UK?

Cold, often wet, with possible snow in Scotland and northern England. Southern regions are milder but still chilly.

6. Are there major sporting events in January?

Yes. The FA Cup Third Round and Premier League fixtures dominate the month.

How Many Bank Holidays Are There in the UK in 2026? Full List and What to Expect How many public holidays will the United Kingdom observe in 2026? This guide outlines all UK bank holidays for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, ...

How Many Stock Market Holidays Are There in the UK in 2026? Full List , Key Dates, Trading Hours, and Market Features How many holidays will the London Stock Exchange observe in 2026? Explore the full list of UK stock market holidays, trading hours, early-close days, and ...

Top 30 Holidays and Festivals Most Popular in the UK in 2026: A Complete Guide Discover the top 30 most popular holidays and festivals in the UK for 2026. This comprehensive guide covers major celebrations, cultural events, national holidays, key ...