Long weekends and public holidays 2026

Are you wondering how to use public holidays in 2026 for a longer vacation? Nothing could be easier! We’ve looked up the public holidays and long weekends in 2026 and explain how to cleverly use your days off to make the most of your bike holiday in South Tyrol.

March / April
Easter
In the UK in 2026, Good Friday falls on 3rd April and Easter Monday on 6 th April. By taking the four working days before Easter (30 March – 2 April), or the four working days after Easter Monday (7 – 10 April), you can enjoy 9 days off with only 4 days of leave. Even better? Take both weeks for 16 days off with only 8 days of leave — perfect for kicking off the bike season in South Tyrol! 

St Patrick’s Day (17 March)
In Northern Ireland, St Patrick’s Day on 17 March is a bank holiday in 2026 — great for another potential long weekend if you’re there or working to that calendar.

May
Early May Bank Holiday
The Early May Bank Holiday lands on 4 th May in 2026 — a Monday. With this extra day off, you get a long weekend without taking any leave.  
Spring Bank Holiday
The Spring Bank Holiday is on 25th  May — also a Monday. That’s another built‑in long weekend perfect for a bike escape without touching annual leave. 

August
Summer Bank Holiday
In 2026 the Summer Bank Holiday is on 31st  August, another Monday — ideal for a late‑summer break in the mountains of South Tyrol.

October / November
In the UK there are no nationwide bank holidays in October or early November, so classic long weekends are harder to come by in this period. However, autumn is still a beautiful season for cycling in South Tyrol if you book your ride and accommodation early. 
Long weekends are always a great chance to switch off and focus on your passion. We recommend booking your stay at a BikeHotel South Tyrol as early as possible to ensure availability and services tailored to your bike holiday!

(Source: Public Holiday Guide)