UK bank holidays in 2027 will include substitute days creating four-day weekends when Christmas and Boxing Day fall on the weekend
The dates of major bank holidays are due to shift in 2027, resulting in extended breaks with substitute days. In 2026, many people will have time off for Easter on April 3 for Good Friday and April 6 for Easter Monday, followed by bank holidays on May 4, May 25, August 31 and December 25.
However, Boxing Day 2026, which falls on December 26, won’t be a bank holiday as it lands on a Saturday. Instead, an additional substitute day off will be granted on December 28.
Then, in 2027, there will once again be a day off on January 1. The bank holidays for Easter 2027 fall on March 26 and March 29, with subsequent days off on May 3, May 31, and August 30.
The Christmas Day and Boxing Day bank holidays will then be disrupted. December 25, 2027 is a Saturday and December 26 is a Sunday. This means two extra days off will be given on December 27 and December 28, creating a four-day break immediately after the weekend, reports the Mirror.
In further good news, New Year’s Day 2028 will fall on a Saturday – so instead of January 1 being a bank holiday, there will be a bank holiday on Monday, January 3, 2028 – creating another four-day long weekend. Some shops and businesses may opt to remain closed for both of these four-day breaks.
Bank holidays in the UK primarily serve to provide official days off work for national celebrations, religious occasions, and historical traditions. The term “bank holiday” originates from the practice of banks (and many businesses) closing on these days, leading to many industries eventually receiving the day off.
The phrase “bank holiday” was coined from the Bank Holidays Act 1871, introduced by Sir John Lubbock. Prior to this, only religious holidays like Christmas and Easter were officially recognised.
Lubbock added several more days off, particularly for workers, beginning with England, Wales, and Ireland. Bank holidays in the UK are established through a mix of legislation, Royal proclamations, and conventions:
- Statutory Holidays: Some are legally defined, such as those detailed in the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.
- Royal Proclamations: The monarch can declare additional bank holidays or reschedule existing ones via Royal proclamation.
- Conventions and Traditions: Over time, certain days have become customary bank holidays due to longstanding tradition.
Occasionally, unique one-off bank holidays are declared to mark significant national events, such as Royal weddings or jubilees.
