The UK Bank Holidays 2027 include eight days for England and Wales, nine for Scotland, and ten for Northern Ireland. With substitute days for Christmas and Boxing Day, you can enjoy extended long weekends across all UK nations.
Use this complete list to organise your family time, travel, and study breaks around the 2027 calendar – from the Easter weekend 2027 to the Christmas break 2027.
UK Bank Holidays 2027: The Complete Guide
Bank Holidays UK are official national holidays when most businesses, schools, and government offices close. For students, these holiday calendar dates are perfect for catching up on rest, visiting family, or enjoying a winter getaway.
What is a Substitute Bank Holiday?
A substitute day occurs when a bank holiday falls on a weekend. Instead of losing the day off, the government moves the public holiday to the following Monday (or occasionally Tuesday). This ensures everyone still enjoys their entitled time off.
Example for 2027:
- Christmas Day (25 December) falls on a Saturday, so it’s moved to Monday 27 December.
- Boxing Day (26 December) falls on a Sunday, so it’s moved to Tuesday 28 December.
This gives you a fantastic 4-day weekend 2027 UK over the Christmas break 2027 – perfect for a winter getaway or extended family time.
England & Wales Bank Holidays 2027
For residents of England and Wales, there are eight bank holidays in 2027. Here’s your official list:
| Date | Day | Bank Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 26 March | Friday | Good Friday |
| 29 March | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 3 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 31 May | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 30 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 27 December | Monday | Christmas Day (substitute day) |
| 28 December | Tuesday | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
Scotland Bank Holidays 2027
Scotland has its own unique set of bank holidays, including an extra day for St Andrew’s Day and a substitute for 2nd January. Here’s the bank holidays 2027 Scotland list:
| Date | Day | Bank Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 4 January | Monday | 2nd January (substitute day) |
| 26 March | Friday | Good Friday |
| 3 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 31 May | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 2 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 30 November | Tuesday | St Andrew’s Day |
| 27 December | Monday | Christmas Day (substitute day) |
| 28 December | Tuesday | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
Did You Know? Scotland celebrates St Andrew’s Day on 30 November – a national holiday unique to the country.
Read More: Scotland College Term Dates
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2027
Northern Ireland enjoys the most bank holidays in 2027, with a total of ten. The Northern Ireland bank holidays 2027 dates include the unique Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) :
| Date | Day | Bank Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 17 March | Wednesday | St Patrick’s Day |
| 26 March | Friday | Good Friday |
| 29 March | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 3 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 31 May | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 12 July | Monday | Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) |
| 30 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 27 December | Monday | Christmas Day (substitute day) |
| 28 December | Tuesday | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
Read More: Northern Ireland College Term Dates
When Are the 2027 Long Weekends?
Planning your time off? Here are the best long weekends in 2027 UK:
| Holiday Period | Dates | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Easter Weekend | 26 – 29 March | 4-day weekend |
| Early May Bank Holiday | 1 – 3 May | 3-day weekend |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 29 – 31 May | 3-day weekend |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 28 – 30 August | 3-day weekend |
| Christmas & New Year | 25 – 28 December | 4-day break |
When are the long weekends in 2027? These long weekend dates are perfect for:
- Family time and reunions
- Travel and mini-breaks
- Catching up on study or work projects
- Enjoying the May bank holidays or August bank holiday
2027 UK Bank Holiday Calendar Overview
Here’s a quick visual snapshot of the UK bank holiday schedule for 2027:
England & Wales: 8 days (January, March, May, May, August, December, December)
Scotland: 9 days (January, January, March, May, May, August, November, December, December)
Northern Ireland: 10 days (January, March, March, March, May, May, July, August, December, December)
Key Dates to Remember:
- New Year’s Day 2027 bank holiday:Â 1 January
- Good Friday 2027 date:Â 26 March
- Easter Monday 2027 date:Â 29 March
- Early May bank holiday 2027 date:Â 3 May
- Spring bank holiday 2027 date:Â 31 May
- Summer bank holiday 2027 date:Â 30 August (England & Wales and Northern Ireland) / 2 August (Scotland)
- Christmas Day substitute day 2027:Â 27 December
- Boxing Day substitute day 2027:Â 28 December
Need Accurate UK College Holiday Information?
How Do UK Bank Holidays Affect College Term Dates?
If you’re a student or planning your academic year, understanding how UK Bank Holidays 2027 interact with college term dates is crucial. While most colleges and universities are closed on public holidays, the surrounding days can create perfect opportunities for travel, catching up on assignments, or enjoying quality family time.
However, it’s important to note that colleges in different UK nations may have varying term structures. For instance, a college in Scotland might schedule its spring break around the Easter weekend 2027 (26–29 March), while an institution in Northern Ireland could align its half-term with the May bank holidays (3 May and 31 May).
Always check your specific college calendar, but use this complete list as a reliable starting point to plan your study breaks, part-time work schedules, and social activities around the 2027 calendar.
Conclusion
Knowing the UK Bank Holidays 2027 helps you plan your year effectively – whether for study, work, or leisure. This complete list covers all regional holidays across the UK nations, ensuring you never miss a public holiday or long weekend.
Key Takeaways:
- England & Wales:Â 8 bank holidays
- Scotland:Â 9 bank holidays
- Northern Ireland:Â 10 bank holidays
- Substitute days apply for Christmas and Boxing Day
- Enjoy 4-day weekends at Easter and Christmas
Start planning your time off, travel, and family time today with this official list of UK bank holidays 2027. Don’t forget to check the government bank holidays page for any updates.
Read More: England College Term Dates
FAQs
How many bank holidays are there in 2027?
England and Wales have 8, Scotland has 9, and Northern Ireland has 10.
What is a substitute bank holiday?
A substitute day is when a bank holiday that falls on a weekend is moved to a weekday so people don’t lose their day off.
Is Boxing Day a bank holiday in 2027?
Yes, but it falls on a Sunday, so the substitute day is Tuesday 28 December.
When is Easter 2027 in the UK?
Good Friday is 26 March and Easter Monday is 29 March.
Which bank holidays are unique to Scotland?
Scotland has a substitute day for 2nd January and celebrates St Andrew’s Day on 30 November.
What is Orangemen’s Day?
It’s a Northern Ireland bank holiday on 12 July commemorating the Battle of the Boyne.
Are bank holidays the same across the UK?
No, each nation has its own set. Scotland and Northern Ireland have additional holidays compared to England and Wales.
When is the summer bank holiday in 2027?
England, Wales, and Northern Ireland observe it on 30 August, while Scotland has it on 2 August.
Official Resources
For the most accurate, complete and up-to-date information, please find the official gov.uk list of UK bank holidays 2027 here: UK GOV
