Bank Holiday Shake-up: UK Dates to Change in 2026 and 2027
The UK has eight bank holidays across the year, but over the next two years, things won’t be the same with dates changing. According to a report by the Liverpool Echo, the official bank holidays for 2026 and 2027 have now been confirmed.
In 2026, most of the dates will remain largely unchanged. Across the UK, people will have days off on January 1, followed by a long Easter weekend with days off on April 3 for Good Friday and April 6 for Easter Monday. UK-wide days off will also occur on May 4, May 25, August 31, and December 25 – Christmas Day.
However, Boxing Day, December 26, won’t be a bank holiday next year as it falls on a Saturday. Instead, an additional substitute day off will be granted on December 28. This change was reported by the Liverpool Echo, which stated that “some of the bank holiday dates will change for 2026 and 2027”.
In 2027, there will once again be a day off on January 1. The Easter 2027 bank holiday dates are set for March 26 and March 29, with further days off on May 3, May 31, and August 30. The Christmas Day and Boxing Day bank holidays are set for a shake-up. With December 25, 2027 falling on a Saturday and December 26 on a Sunday, there will be two additional days off as the bank holidays will shift to December 27 and December 28.
The Liverpool Echo reported that “the Boxing Day bank holiday will also change”. This change will affect people across the UK, with some areas observing different bank holidays.
Bank holidays in the UK serve to grant people time away from work to celebrate national events, religious milestones, and historical traditions. The term “bank holiday” originates from the days when banks, along with numerous other businesses, would shut their doors, leading to a widespread adoption of these days as general holidays.
The concept of “bank holiday” was formalised with the Bank Holidays Act 1871, thanks to Sir John Lubbock. Prior to this act, only key religious festivals such as Christmas and Easter were officially recognised. Lubbock’s legislation introduced several additional days off, particularly benefiting workers in England, Wales, and Ireland.
Today, UK bank holidays are determined through a mix of legal measures, Royal declarations, and long-standing customs. According to the Liverpool Echo, these include:
* Statutory Holidays: Some are enshrined in law, like those specified in the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.
* Royal Proclamations: The sovereign has the power to announce extra bank holidays or reschedule existing ones through Royal proclamation.
* Conventions and Traditions: Certain dates have evolved into de facto bank holidays due to tradition.
On occasion, unique one-off bank holidays are announced to mark major national celebrations, including Royal nuptials or jubilees. The Liverpool Echo has confirmed that the official bank holidays for 2026 and 2027 have now been confirmed, and people can plan their days off accordingly.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the bank holiday dates for 2026 and 2027 are as follows:
* 2026: January 1, April 3, April 6, May 4, May 25, August 31, December 25, and December 28
* 2027: January 1, March 26, March 29, May 3, May 31, August 30, December 27, and December 28
These changes will affect people across the UK, and it is essential to be aware of the new bank holiday dates. The Liverpool Echo has provided a comprehensive overview of the changes, ensuring that readers are well-informed.
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