Public holiday in United Kingdom
Day after New Year's Day in United Kingdom
Friday, January 2, 2026
Regional public holiday
Observed in Scotland
A public holiday in Scotland that falls on 2 January, the day after New Year’s Day. It is observed separately from the rest of the United Kingdom, where it is not a public holiday.
About Day after New Year's Day in United Kingdom
In Scotland, Day after New Year’s Day is a regional public holiday and forms part of the New Year period. It gives many people an additional day off immediately after New Year’s Day, which makes it distinct from the rest of the United Kingdom, where 2 January is not a public holiday. Because it follows New Year’s Day, it is commonly treated as part of the same holiday break rather than as a separate occasion with its own national customs.
History
The holiday reflects Scotland’s long-standing recognition of 2 January as a public holiday. Its continued observance distinguishes Scotland from other parts of the United Kingdom, where the day is normally a regular working day.
How Day after New Year's Day is celebrated in United Kingdom
In practice, the day is usually observed quietly as part of the post-New-Year break. For many people in Scotland, it is a day for rest, family time or recovery after New Year celebrations rather than for formal events.
Interesting facts
It is one of the clearest examples of a holiday that applies in Scotland but not across the whole United Kingdom. The holiday falls on the fixed calendar date of 2 January in the years listed in the structured context.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 Jan 2026 | — | Scotland |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.