Workers across the UK are set to benefit from a welcome reshuffle of the national holiday calendar, with two major four-day weekends confirmed for the coming years. The official dates for bank holidays in 2027 and 2028 have been announced, revealing significant changes that will create extended breaks for millions.
A Festive Windfall in 2027
The most notable change comes during the festive period of 2027. In that year, Christmas Day falls on a Saturday and Boxing Day on a Sunday. According to standard banking and financial dealings rules, this triggers the creation of substitute holidays. Consequently, the public will receive two additional days off on Monday, December 27 and Tuesday, December 28, 2027.
This means the standard weekend will flow directly into two weekdays off, granting a consecutive four-day break for celebrations and rest. Many shops, services, and businesses are expected to adjust their opening hours or close entirely for this extended period.
Further Changes and the 2028 New Year Bonus
The holiday adjustments continue into 2028. With New Year's Day 2028 landing on a Saturday, the bank holiday entitlement will be moved. Instead of January 1, the day off will be observed on Monday, January 3, 2028. This creates another valuable four-day long weekend to start the new year.
Looking further back, the calendar for 2026 also includes a minor adjustment. As Boxing Day that year is on a Saturday, a substitute holiday will be given on Monday, December 28, 2026.
The Full Schedule: Key Dates to Diarise
To help with planning, here are the confirmed bank holiday dates for the affected years:
2026: Good Friday (April 3), Easter Monday (April 6), Early May (May 4), Spring (May 25), Summer (August 31), Christmas Day (December 25), and a substitute day for Boxing Day (December 28).
2027: New Year's Day (January 1), Good Friday (March 26), Easter Monday (March 29), Early May (May 3), Spring (May 31), Summer (August 30), with substitute days for Christmas and Boxing Day on December 27 & 28.
2028: New Year's substitute day (January 3). Further dates for this year will be confirmed in due course.
The History and Rules Behind Bank Holidays
Bank holidays in the United Kingdom serve as official days off for national and religious observances. The term itself originates from the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, introduced by Sir John Lubbock, which initially provided additional days off for workers in England, Wales, and Ireland beyond traditional religious festivals.
Today, the schedule is governed by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. The process involves:
- Statutory Legislation: Core holidays are enshrined in law.
- Royal Proclamation: The monarch can officially announce additional or moved holidays.
- Long-standing Convention: Certain days are recognised through tradition.
Special one-off holidays, such as for royal jubilees, can also be declared via royal proclamation. The system ensures that when a designated holiday falls on a weekend, a 'substitute' weekday is given in its place, preventing the loss of a day's leave.
These forthcoming changes offer a clear opportunity for advanced personal and business planning. With two extended four-day breaks now confirmed, many will be looking forward to maximising their time off in 2027 and 2028.
