Bank holiday dates in the UK are set to shift at the end of 2026 and 2027, with substitute days replacing the usual Christmas and Boxing Day holidays.
This year, Boxing Day (December 26) falls on a Saturday, so the bank holiday has been scheduled for Monday, December 28 as a substitute. The August bank holiday on Monday, August 31 marks the last bank holiday before Christmas, with no bank holidays in September, October or November.
Substitute Days for 2027
More changes are planned for the 2027 festive season. Christmas Day falls on a Saturday and Boxing Day on a Sunday next year, so substitute days have been scheduled for Monday, December 27, 2027 and Tuesday, December 28, 2027.
These adjustments mean workers will need to plan ahead to make the most of their annual leave around the festive period.
Full List of Bank Holiday Dates
Here are the remaining bank holiday dates that land on different days:
2026:
- Monday, December 28 - Boxing Day (substitute day)
2027:
- Monday, December 27 - Christmas Day (substitute day)
- Tuesday, December 28 - Boxing Day (substitute day)
The full list of bank holiday dates includes:
2026:
- Monday, August 31 - Summer bank holiday
- Friday, December 25 - Christmas Day
- Monday, December 28 - Boxing Day (substitute day)
2027:
- Friday, January 1 - New Year's Day
- Friday, March 26 - Good Friday
- Monday, March 29 - Easter Monday
- Monday, May 3 - Early May bank holiday
- Monday, May 31 - Spring bank holiday
- Monday, August 30 - Summer bank holiday
- Monday, December 27 - Christmas Day (substitute day)
- Tuesday, December 28 - Boxing Day (substitute day)
These dates are set to help people plan their time off in advance.
