Guest Resources Published 18th September 2026

Bank Holidays in 2027 Across the UK and Ireland

Written by Ed Maughan

As we look forward to 2027, now’s the perfect time to strategically plan your time off and make the most of the bank holidays dotted throughout the year. Whether you’re hoping to squeeze in a quick weekend getaway or organise a longer group adventure, understanding when these holidays fall can help you maximise your break time. With friends and family likely to have the same days off during bank holidays, it’s an ideal opportunity to book a group stay together.

How Many Bank Holidays Are There in 2027?

The number of bank holidays varies depending on where you live in the UK and Ireland. England and Wales stick together with their calendar, whilst Scotland takes its own path with some additional celebrations. Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland each have their own unique mix too.

England and Wales: 8 bank holidays in 2027
Scotland: 9 bank holidays in 2027 (including St. Andrew’s Day)
Northern Ireland: 10 bank holidays in 2027 (including St. Patrick’s Day)
Ireland: 10 bank holidays in 2027 (including St. Brigid’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day)

Your Complete 2027 Bank Holiday Calendar

England and Wales Bank Holidays in 2027

England and Wales share the same bank holiday calendar, with 8 days off in total throughout 2027. A highlight of the year is the festive period, when Christmas and Boxing Day fall on a Saturday and Sunday respectively – meaning you’ll get substitute days off on Monday and Tuesday, creating an excellent four-day break. Here’s the full rundown:

New Year’s Day: January 1st (Friday)
Good Friday: March 26th (Friday)
Easter Monday: March 29th (Monday)
Early May Bank Holiday: May 3rd (Monday)
Spring Bank Holiday: May 31st (Monday)
Summer Bank Holiday: August 30th (Monday)
Christmas Day: December 25th (Saturday) – observed Monday 27th
Boxing Day: December 26th (Sunday) – observed Tuesday 28th

Wales Bank Holidays in 2027

Wales observes exactly the same bank holidays as England in 2027:

New Year’s Day: January 1st (Friday)
Good Friday: March 26th (Friday)
Easter Monday: March 29th (Monday)
Early May Bank Holiday: May 3rd (Monday)
Spring Bank Holiday: May 31st (Monday)
Summer Bank Holiday: August 30th (Monday)
Christmas Day: December 25th (Saturday) – observed Monday 27th
Boxing Day: December 26th (Sunday) – observed Tuesday 28th

2027 Bank Holidays in Scotland

Scotland’s bank holiday calendar offers one extra day compared to England and Wales, bringing the total to 9 days off. Two of these are specific to Scotland – the second of January and St. Andrew’s Day in November. If you’re curious about Easter dates, check out our dedicated Easter 2027 guide for more information. Here’s what to expect:

New Year’s Day: January 1st (Friday)
2nd January: January 2nd (Saturday) – observed Monday 4th
Good Friday: March 26th (Friday)
Early May Bank Holiday: May 3rd (Monday)
Spring Bank Holiday: May 31st (Monday)
Summer Bank Holiday: August 2nd (Monday)
St. Andrew’s Day: November 30th (Tuesday)
Christmas Day: December 25th (Saturday) – observed Monday 27th
Boxing Day: December 26th (Sunday) – observed Tuesday 28th

2027 Bank Holidays in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland enjoys 10 bank holidays throughout 2027, making it one of the best regions for time off. The calendar includes some uniquely Irish celebrations alongside the shared UK holidays:

New Year’s Day: January 1st (Friday)
St. Patrick’s Day: March 17th (Wednesday)
Good Friday: March 26th (Friday)
Easter Monday: March 29th (Monday)
Early May Bank Holiday: May 3rd (Monday)
Spring Bank Holiday: May 31st (Monday)
Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day): July 12th (Monday)
Summer Bank Holiday: August 30th (Monday)
Christmas Day: December 25th (Saturday) – observed Monday 27th
Boxing Day: December 26th (Sunday) – observed Tuesday 28th

2027 Bank Holidays in Ireland

Across the Irish Sea, the Republic of Ireland marks 10 bank holidays in 2027. The calendar blends national celebrations with moveable holidays that typically fall on Mondays, making it easier to plan extended breaks:

New Year’s Day: January 1st (Friday)
St. Brigid’s Day: February 1st (Monday)
St. Patrick’s Day: March 17th (Wednesday)
Easter Monday: March 29th (Monday)
May Day: May 3rd (Monday)
June Bank Holiday: June 7th (Monday)
August Bank Holiday: August 2nd (Monday)
October Bank Holiday: October 25th (Monday)
Christmas Day: December 25th (Saturday)
St. Stephen’s Day: December 26th (Sunday)

Make the Most of Your Time Off

Clever planning around bank holidays means you can enjoy significant stretches of time away from work without burning through your annual leave. Here are some tactics to stretch your breaks even further:

Spot the Weekend Connections: Keep tabs on bank holidays that land near weekends. When a bank holiday falls on a Monday or Friday, taking an adjacent day as annual leave can give you a longer weekend to explore somewhere special.
Combine With Your Annual Leave: Don’t underestimate the power of combining bank holidays with just one or two days of annual leave. If a bank holiday lands mid-week, taking the days either side creates a five-day retreat without using much of your allowance.
Book Early for Best Prices: Bank holidays are prime travel time, so accommodation and transport get snapped up quickly. Securing your group accommodation well in advance from GroupAccommodation.com ensures you get the properties and dates you want across the UK and Ireland.
Prioritise What Matters Most: Not all bank holidays are created equal – decide which ones matter most to you and plan your leave strategy around those key dates. Whether it’s Easter with family, a summer adventure, or festive celebrations, make these a priority.
Track Your Time Off: Create a visual leave calendar for 2027 to get a clear picture of when you can take breaks. This helps ensure you’re making the most of both bank holidays and your personal leave throughout the year.

With some forward thinking and strategic planning, 2027 can be a year full of memorable group getaways and quality time with the people who matter most. Start mapping out your breaks now!

Frequently Asked Questions About Bank Holidays

Do bank holidays count against my annual leave entitlement?

This depends entirely on your employment contract and which country you’re in. The specific terms will be set out in your contract, so it’s worth having a look or speaking to your HR team. The Citizens Advice website has more detailed guidance if you need it.

When does Easter fall in 2027?

Easter Sunday in 2027 falls on April 4th. Most countries observe Good Friday on March 26th and Easter Monday on March 29th, giving you a nice long break. For a full breakdown of Easter celebrations and dates, head over to our Easter 2027 guide.

Which part of the UK and Ireland has the most bank holidays?

In 2027, both Northern Ireland and Ireland share the top spot with 10 bank holidays each, giving residents plenty of opportunities for time off throughout the year.

What are the May bank holidays in 2027?

The UK May bank holidays fall on May 3rd (Early May) and May 31st (Spring Bank Holiday). In the Republic of Ireland, May 3rd is marked as May Day, but June 7th is also observed as the June Bank Holiday.

Guest Resources| May 30, 2019

Bank Holidays in 2027 Across the UK and Ireland

How Many Bank Holidays Are There in 2027?