UK Bank Holidays 2027
England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2027. Christmas Day (Dec 25) and Boxing Day (Dec 26) fall on the weekend, so substitute bank holidays are taken on Monday Dec 27 and Tuesday Dec 28. Scotland and Northern Ireland follow a slightly different list.
Bank holidays
8
Region shown
England & Wales
Longest break
Easter · 4 days
Substitute days
Dec 27 & 28
2027 United Kingdom calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
08August
09September
10October
11November
12December
United Kingdom public holiday list
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2027 | Friday | New Year's DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| March 26, 2027 | Friday | Good FridayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| March 29, 2027 | Monday | Easter MondayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| May 3, 2027 | Monday | Early May bank holidayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| May 31, 2027 | Monday | Spring bank holidayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| August 30, 2027 | Monday | Summer bank holidayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| December 27, 2027 | Monday | Christmas Day (substitute day)Christmas Day (Dec 25) falls on a Saturday, so the bank holiday moves to Monday Dec 27.Substitute holiday | Substitute holiday |
| December 28, 2027 | Tuesday | Boxing Day (substitute day)Boxing Day (Dec 26) falls on a Sunday, so the bank holiday moves to Tuesday Dec 28.Substitute holiday | Substitute holiday |
United Kingdom long weekends in 2027
New Year
3 daysJan 1 – 3
Easter
4 daysMar 26 – 29
Good Friday and Easter Monday bracket the weekend — four days off.
Early May
3 daysMay 1 – 3
Spring
3 daysMay 29 – 31
Summer
3 daysAug 28 – 30
Christmas
4 daysDec 25 – 28
Christmas and Boxing Day fall on the weekend, with substitutes on Monday and Tuesday — four days off.
What are bank holidays — and why two substitute days at Christmas?
The UK calls its public holidays "bank holidays". England and Wales have eight a year, most on a Monday, so they usually create a three-day weekend. When a fixed-date holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday is granted instead.
In 2027 both Christmas Day (Sat Dec 25) and Boxing Day (Sun Dec 26) fall on the weekend, so two substitute bank holidays are taken: Monday Dec 27 for Christmas Day and Tuesday Dec 28 for Boxing Day.
Scotland & Northern Ireland: how the list differs in 2027
Scotland adds 2nd January (observed Monday Jan 4, 2027, as Jan 2 is a Saturday) and St Andrew's Day (Nov 30), takes its summer bank holiday on the first Monday of August (Aug 2, 2027), and does not observe Easter Monday.
Northern Ireland matches England & Wales but adds St Patrick's Day (Mar 17) and the Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen's Day (Jul 12).
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Official sources & data
Frequently asked questions
How many bank holidays are there in the UK in 2027?+
England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2027. Scotland and Northern Ireland each have their own list — Scotland has additional days such as 2nd January and St Andrew's Day, and Northern Ireland adds St Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne.
Why are there bank holidays on December 27 and 28 in 2027?+
Christmas Day (Dec 25) and Boxing Day (Dec 26) both fall on the weekend in 2027. Substitute bank holidays are therefore taken on the next two weekdays: Monday Dec 27 and Tuesday Dec 28.
When is Easter 2027 in the UK?+
Good Friday is March 26 and Easter Monday is March 29, 2027, giving a four-day Easter weekend in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland observes Good Friday but not Easter Monday.
Does my employer have to give me bank holidays off in the UK?+
No. There is no statutory right to paid leave on bank holidays in the UK. Whether bank holidays are paid days off depends on your employment contract; some employers include them within the statutory 28 days of annual leave.
What are the long weekends in the UK in 2027?+
New Year's Day (Fri Jan 1) starts the year with a three-day weekend. Easter (Mar 26–29) and Christmas (Dec 25–28) are both four-day breaks, while the Early May, Spring and Summer bank holidays each give a three-day weekend.
