The government has confirmed the official schedule for UK bank holidays in 2027, setting out when workers across England and Wales can expect their paid public holidays.
Because of how the calendar falls, the end-of-year festive period features an unusual setup. Both Christmas Day and Boxing Day land on a weekend next year, with Christmas Day on Saturday, 25 December, and Boxing Day on Sunday, 26 December.
Under UK rules, when a public holiday lands on a weekend, a "substitute day" is designated during the following week so workers do not lose out on their entitlement.
Christmas and Boxing Day substitute days
As a result, both Christmas bank holidays are officially being 'moved' to the next available weekdays next year:
- Monday, 27 December – Christmas Day (Substitute day)
- Tuesday, 28 December – Boxing Day (Substitute day)
According to gov.uk, the full list of official bank holidays in 2027 is as follows:
- Friday, 1 January – New Year's Day
- Friday, 26 March – Good Friday
- Monday, 29 March – Easter Monday
- Monday, 3 May – Early May bank holiday
- Monday, 31 May – Spring bank holiday
- Monday, 30 August – Summer bank holiday
- Monday, 27 December – Christmas Day (Substitute day)
- Tuesday, 28 December – Boxing Day (Substitute day)
Scotland and Northern Ireland differences
Scotland observes additional and alternative days, including 4 January (substitute day for 2nd January) and 30 November (St Andrew's Day), as well as having its summer bank holiday earlier on 2 August. Northern Ireland recognises extra bank holidays for St Patrick's Day (17 March), and the Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen's Day (12 July).
In 2022, the UK had two extra bank holidays, one on 3 June, 2022 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee, and another on 19 September for her funeral.
There was some speculation last year that the UK might have had an extra bank holiday in 2025 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which took place on May 8, but this was not the case.
Bank holiday comparisons worldwide
This year, former Prime Minister Keir Starmer hinted that if England were to win the World Cup, there could be a discussion regarding an extra bank holiday.
With only eight recognised bank holidays in England, there is only one country in the world which celebrates fewer bank holidays than England, which is Mexico with only seven official public holidays. Across the world, India is the nation that has the most, with a whopping 21 days that are recognised as national holidays.
