The 2027 bank holiday calendar offers useful opportunities to extend annual leave, especially around Easter and Christmas. England and Wales have eight bank holidays, Scotland has nine, and Northern Ireland has ten.
This bank holidays 2027 guide covers every scheduled date across the four UK nations. It also explains regional differences and practical ways to combine bank holidays with annual leave.
The leave examples assume you work Monday to Friday and receive the relevant bank holidays off. Your employer must approve any annual leave before you commit to travel bookings.
How Many Bank Holidays Are There in 2027?
The number of bank holidays depends on the UK nation where they apply. The scheduled totals for 2027 are:
| Region | Bank Holidays in 2027 |
| England and Wales | 8 |
| Scotland | 9 |
| Northern Ireland | 10 |
Scotland observes 2 January and St Andrew’s Day, but Easter Monday is not a Scottish bank holiday. Northern Ireland adds St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne to the England and Wales calendar.
Bank Holidays 2027: England and Wales
England and Wales share the same eight bank holiday dates. Most fall beside a weekend, while the Christmas substitutes fall on Monday and Tuesday.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| 1 January 2027 | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 26 March 2027 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 29 March 2027 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 3 May 2027 | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 31 May 2027 | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 30 August 2027 | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 27 December 2027 | Monday | Christmas Day substitute |
| 28 December 2027 | Tuesday | Boxing Day substitute |
Note: Christmas Day falls on Saturday 25 December. Its substitute holiday moves to Monday 27 December. Boxing Day falls on Sunday 26 December. Its substitute holiday follows on Tuesday 28 December.
For workers who have weekends and bank holidays off, these substitutes create a four-day break from 25 to 28 December. Booking additional leave can extend the break into January.
Bank Holidays 2027: Scotland
Scotland has nine nationwide bank holidays in 2027. Its additional January holiday and earlier August bank holiday change several leave-planning options.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| 1 January 2027 | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 4 January 2027 | Monday | 2 January substitute |
| 26 March 2027 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 3 May 2027 | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 31 May 2027 | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 2 August 2027 | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 30 November 2027 | Tuesday | St Andrew’s Day |
| 27 December 2027 | Monday | Christmas Day substitute |
| 28 December 2027 | Tuesday | Boxing Day substitute |
The main differences are:
The 2 January holiday moves to Monday 4 January.
Easter Monday is not a bank holiday in Scotland.
Scotland observes St Andrew’s Day on 30 November.
The Scottish Summer Bank Holiday falls on 2 August.
The other three UK nations observe their summer bank holiday on 30 August, four weeks after Scotland. Local Scottish public holidays can differ from nationwide bank holidays. Check the relevant council and workplace arrangements when planning.
Bank Holidays 2027: Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has ten bank holidays in 2027. St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne are its two additional dates.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| 1 January 2027 | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 17 March 2027 | Wednesday | St Patrick’s Day |
| 26 March 2027 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 29 March 2027 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 3 May 2027 | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 31 May 2027 | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 12 July 2027 | Monday | Battle of the Boyne |
| 30 August 2027 | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 27 December 2027 | Monday | Christmas Day substitute |
| 28 December 2027 | Tuesday | Boxing Day substitute |
St Patrick’s Day falls on Wednesday 17 March. Booking 15 and 16 March, or 18 and 19 March, creates a five-day break. The Battle of the Boyne falls on Monday 12 July, creating a three-day weekend for eligible workers.
The Best Long Weekends in 2027
The combinations below assume a Monday-to-Friday working pattern, the relevant bank holidays off, and approved annual leave. They include weekends and, for Christmas, the following New Year substitute holidays.
| Holiday Period | Leave Required | Total Break |
| New Year | 0 days | 3 days; Scotland 4 |
| Easter | 4 days; Scotland 5 | 10 days |
| Early May | 4 days | 9 days |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 4 days | 9 days |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 4 days | 9 days |
| Christmas | 3 days | 10 days; Scotland 11 |
Scotland needs different calculations around New Year, Easter and Christmas. The regional differences are shown below. Shift workers should calculate leave using their own rota.
New Year Breaks Without Annual Leave
New Year’s Day falls on Friday 1 January, creating a three-day break through Sunday 3 January. In Scotland, Monday 4 January is the substitute for the 2 January holiday. This extends the Scottish break to four days.
Easter Breaks of Ten Days
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, book Tuesday 30 March to Friday 2 April. Good Friday on 26 March and Easter Monday on 29 March extend the break. You receive ten consecutive days away, from 26 March to 4 April, using four annual leave days.
Alternatively, book Monday 22 March to Thursday 25 March. Outside Scotland, this creates ten days away from 20 to 29 March, using four annual leave days.
In Scotland, book Monday 29 March to Friday 2 April for the ten-day break from 26 March to 4 April. This requires five annual leave days because Easter Monday is not a Scottish bank holiday.
Early May: Nine Days Using Four Leave Days
The Early May Bank Holiday falls on Monday 3 May. Book Tuesday 4 May through Friday 7 May. Your break begins on Saturday 1 May. It ends on Sunday 9 May.
Spring Bank Holiday: Another Nine-Day Break
The Spring Bank Holiday falls on Monday 31 May. Book Tuesday 1 June through Friday 4 June. The complete break starts on Saturday 29 May. It finishes on Sunday 6 June.
Summer Bank Holiday: Extend the August Break
In Scotland, book Tuesday 3 to Friday 6 August for a nine-day break from 31 July to 8 August. Elsewhere in the UK, book Tuesday 31 August to Friday 3 September. That creates nine days away from 28 August to 5 September. Each option requires four annual leave days.
Christmas Breaks of Ten or Eleven Days
Book Wednesday 29 to Friday 31 December 2027. Combined with weekends and substitute holidays, this creates ten consecutive days away from 25 December to 3 January 2028. In Scotland, the additional holiday on Tuesday 4 January extends the break to eleven days. Both options require three annual leave days.
What Usually Opens on Bank Holidays?
Opening hours vary by business, location and holiday. Christmas Day has widespread closures, while other dates may have reduced or normal opening hours. Check the branch or service you intend to use.
Supermarkets and Shops
Many supermarkets open on bank holidays, sometimes with shorter hours. Christmas Day and Boxing Day require separate checks because closure policies vary. Check the individual branch, including any pharmacy or collection counter inside it.
Banks and Payments
Most high street bank branches close on bank holidays, while online and mobile banking usually remain available. Some payments can take longer, depending on the payment method and bank. Check processing times if a transfer must arrive by a particular date.
Post Offices and Royal Mail
Royal Mail generally does not provide regular collections or deliveries on bank holidays. Check its published schedule for your location and date. Post Office branches have separate opening arrangements, including branches inside convenience stores.
Healthcare Services
Many GP surgeries close on bank holidays. Local out-of-hours services remain available for urgent concerns. Hospital emergency departments continue operating. Pharmacies may use reduced or rota-based hours.
Public Transport
Bus and train services may follow amended timetables on bank holidays. Arrangements vary by operator, route and date. Christmas Day has widespread closures, while engineering work can affect other holiday journeys. Check your complete outward and return journeys before travelling.
Bank Holiday Pay and Employment Rights
Bank holidays do not automatically entitle workers to paid time off on those dates. Employers may include them within statutory annual leave or provide them as additional paid days. Check your contract and workplace policy before making plans.
Most workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of statutory paid annual leave. For someone working five days a week, this normally means 28 days. Part-time entitlement reflects the working pattern. Working on a bank holiday does not automatically entitle someone to enhanced pay.
Important employment points include:
- Whether you must work on a bank holiday depends on your employment arrangements.
- Extra bank holiday pay is not an automatic right.
- Contracts may offer enhanced pay or time off in lieu.
- Part-time workers retain statutory paid holiday rights.
- Employers can require leave during closures, subject to applicable notice rules.
- Contracts determine whether additional holidays are included.
Ask your employer how bank holidays are recorded within your allowance. If the position remains unclear, Acas provides guidance in Great Britain. Workers in Northern Ireland can contact the Labour Relations Agency.
How to Check Bank Holiday Dates
GOV.UK publishes the official national calendars and identifies substitute bank holidays. Local public holidays and workplace closures can follow different arrangements, so confirm both the national date and the service you need.
The complete UK bank holiday calendar brings together yearly dates and regional guides. Use it when comparing plans across different nations or checking the holidays around your proposed break.
Confirm travel timetables and accommodation terms before paying. A bank holiday on the calendar does not guarantee that a shop will close or that your employer will give you the day off.
Start Planning Your 2027 Breaks
Choose your dates around the bank holidays that apply to your workplace. Confirm your leave allowance and request approval before making non-refundable bookings.
Dates and service arrangements may change. Confirm details before booking. Employment information is general guidance; individual entitlements depend on the applicable law and employment arrangements.
