If you are an employee in the UK, understanding public holidays is key to making the most of your annual leave. In 2027 there are several bank holidays across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. By taking annual leave adjacent to bank holidays, you can create longer breaks with fewer leave days. For example, if a bank holiday falls on a Monday, booking the preceding Friday or the following Tuesday can give you a 4-day weekend for just 1 annual leave day!
Keep this calendar handy to schedule your time off strategically.
England & Wales
| Date | Day of the week | Bank holiday |
| 1st January | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 26th March | Friday | Good Friday |
| 29th March | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 3rd May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 31st May | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 30th August | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 27th December | Monday | Christmas Day (substitute day) |
| 28th December | Tuesday | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
Scotland
| Date | Day of the week | Bank holiday |
| 1st Jan | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 4th Jan | Monday | 2nd January (substitute day) |
| 26th March | Friday | Good Friday |
| 3rd May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 31st May | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 2nd Aug | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 30th Nov | Tuesday | St Andrew’s Day |
| 27th Dec | Monday | Christmas Day (substitute day) |
| 28th Dec | Tuesday | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
Northern Ireland
| Date | Day of the week | Bank holiday |
| 1st January | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 17th March | Wednesday | St Patrick’s Day |
| 26th March | Friday | Good Friday |
| 29th March | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 3rd May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 31st May | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 12th July | Monday | Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) |
| 30th August | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 27th December | Monday | Christmas Day (substitute day) |
| 28th December | Tuesday | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
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