New Year's Day 2026
New Year's Day 2026 fell on Thursday 1 January.
New Year's Day 2026 at a glance
- Date
- Thursday, 1 January 2026
- Day of the week
- Thursday
- Week number
- Week 1
- Day of the year
- Day 1 of 365
- Day off
- Yes, nationwide
Dates calculated from the statutory rules. Source: GOV.UK: UK bank holidays. More about our sources
Long weekend or extra day off?
New Year's Day falls on a Thursday in 2026. Take Friday 2 January off as well and you get 4 days off in a row: from Thursday 1 January to Sunday 4 January. Whether you actually have the day off depends on your employer or sector.
New Year's Day in 2025, 2026 and 2027
New Year's Day is on 1 January every year; only the weekday changes. In 2025 it was a Wednesday, in 2026 a Thursday and in 2027 a Friday.
New Year's Day and the school holidays
New Year's Day 2026 falls in the Christmas holidays in 36 of the 40 areas.
New Year's Day in other countries
This is how New Year's Day 2026 falls in the other countries we track public holidays for. In all 9 countries the day also falls on Thursday 1 January.
| Country | Local name | Date | Day off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Neujahr | Thursday 1 January | Yes |
| Belgium | Nieuwjaarsdag | Thursday 1 January | Yes |
| Denmark | Nytårsdag | Thursday 1 January | Yes |
| France | Jour de l'An | Thursday 1 January | Yes |
| Germany | Neujahr | Thursday 1 January | Yes |
| Netherlands | Nieuwjaarsdag | Thursday 1 January | Yes |
| Sweden | Nyårsdagen | Thursday 1 January | Yes |
| Switzerland | Neujahrstag | Thursday 1 January | Yes |
| United States | New Year's Day | Thursday 1 January | Yes |
Other holidays in 2026
- 2nd JanuaryFriday, 2 January 2026
- EpiphanyTuesday, 6 January 2026
Frequently asked questions
What day is New Year's Day in 2026?
In 2026, New Year's Day fell on Thursday 1 January, in week 1.
Is New Year's Day 2026 a day off?
Yes, New Year's Day is a public holiday in the United Kingdom.