If you are planning your work schedule, annual leave, holidays or business activities for 2027, one question you may already be asking is: how many bank holidays are there in 2027 in the UK?
The answer depends on where you live.
There is no single number of bank holidays that applies to the entire United Kingdom. England and Wales have their own bank holiday calendar, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have some additional dates.
In 2027, there are 8 bank holidays in England and Wales, 9 in Scotland, and 10 in Northern Ireland. The GOV.UK bank holiday calendar lists the dates for each nation separately for BANKIBUSINESS
So, if you are searching for the 2027 UK bank holidays, it is important to check the calendar for your particular part of the UK.
How Many Bank Holidays Are There in the UK in 2027?
The number of bank holidays in 2027 is:
| UK nation | Number of bank holidays in 2027 |
|---|---|
| England | 8 |
| Wales | 8 |
| Scotland | 9 |
| Northern Ireland | 10 |
England and Wales share the same bank holiday dates in 2027.
Scotland has an additional bank holiday for 2nd January (substitute day) and St Andrew’s Day, while Northern Ireland has additional holidays including St Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day).
This is why you may see different answers when searching for the number of UK bank holidays in 2027.
How Many Bank Holidays Are There in England in 2027?
There are 8 bank holidays in England in 2027.
The same eight dates apply in Wales.
Here are the official 2027 bank holidays for England and Wales:
| Date | Day | Bank holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2027 | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 26 March 2027 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 29 March 2027 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 3 May 2027 | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 31 May 2027 | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 30 August 2027 | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 27 December 2027 | Monday | Christmas Day substitute day |
| 28 December 2027 | Tuesday | Boxing Day substitute day |
These dates are listed for England and Wales.
Why Are Christmas Day and Boxing Day Substitute Days in 2027?
Christmas Day in 2027 falls on a Saturday, while Boxing Day falls on a Sunday.
Because those dates fall at the weekend, substitute bank holidays are observed on weekdays.
For 2027:
- Christmas Day falls on Saturday, 25 December.
- Boxing Day falls on Sunday, 26 December.
- Monday, 27 December becomes the substitute bank holiday for Christmas Day.
- Tuesday, 28 December becomes the substitute bank holiday for Boxing Day.
This is why there are two bank holidays immediately after Christmas in England and Wales.
England and Wales Bank Holidays 2027
If you live or work in England or Wales, this is the calendar to keep:
January
Friday, 1 January — New Year’s Day
This is the first bank holiday of 2027.
March
Friday, 26 March — Good Friday
Good Friday is a bank holiday in England and Wales.
Monday, 29 March — Easter Monday
Easter Monday follows the Easter weekend and is also a bank holiday.
May
Monday, 3 May — Early May bank holiday
This is commonly referred to as the May Day bank holiday.
Monday, 31 May — Spring bank holiday
The Spring bank holiday falls on the last Monday in May.
August
Monday, 30 August — Summer bank holiday
The Summer bank holiday in England and Wales falls on the last Monday in August.
December
Monday, 27 December — Christmas Day substitute day
Christmas Day falls on Saturday, so the following Monday is used as the substitute bank holiday.
Tuesday, 28 December — Boxing Day substitute day
Boxing Day falls on Sunday, so Tuesday becomes the substitute bank holiday.
How Many Bank Holidays Are There in Scotland in 2027?
There are 9 bank holidays in Scotland in 2027 according to the official UK government bank holiday calendar.
The Scottish dates are:
| Date | Day | Bank holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2027 | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 4 January 2027 | Monday | 2nd January substitute day |
| 26 March 2027 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 3 May 2027 | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 31 May 2027 | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 2 August 2027 | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 30 November 2027 | Tuesday | St Andrew’s Day |
| 27 December 2027 | Monday | Christmas Day substitute day |
| 28 December 2027 | Tuesday | Boxing Day substitute day |
One of the major differences between Scotland and England and Wales is that Scotland observes St Andrew’s Day as a bank holiday.
Scotland also has a bank holiday for the 2nd January substitute day in 2027.
Scotland Bank Holidays Explained
New Year’s Day — 1 January
New Year’s Day falls on Friday, 1 January 2027.
2nd January Substitute Day — 4 January
The 2nd January is an important Scottish holiday.
In 2027, 2 January falls on a Saturday, so Monday, 4 January is the substitute bank holiday.
Good Friday — 26 March
Good Friday is a Scottish bank holiday in 2027.
Early May Bank Holiday — 3 May
The first Monday in May is the Early May bank holiday.
Spring Bank Holiday — 31 May
The Spring bank holiday falls on Monday, 31 May.
Summer Bank Holiday — 2 August
Unlike England and Wales, where the Summer bank holiday falls in late August, Scotland observes its Summer bank holiday in early August.
In 2027, it falls on Monday, 2 August.
St Andrew’s Day — 30 November
St Andrew’s Day falls on Tuesday, 30 November in 2027.
Christmas and Boxing Day Substitute Days
Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on the weekend in 2027, so substitute bank holidays are observed on Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December.
How Many Bank Holidays Are There in Northern Ireland in 2027?
Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays in 2027.
The dates are:
| Date | Day | Bank holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2027 | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 17 March 2027 | Wednesday | St Patrick’s Day |
| 26 March 2027 | Friday | Good Friday |
| 29 March 2027 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 3 May 2027 | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 31 May 2027 | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 12 July 2027 | Monday | Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) |
| 30 August 2027 | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 27 December 2027 | Monday | Christmas Day substitute day |
| 28 December 2027 | Tuesday | Boxing Day substitute day |
These dates are listed by GOV.UK for Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays Explained
Northern Ireland has some holidays that do not appear on the England and Wales calendar.
St Patrick’s Day — 17 March
St Patrick’s Day falls on Wednesday, 17 March 2027.
It is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland.
Battle of the Boyne — 12 July
Monday, 12 July 2027 is the bank holiday for the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day).
This is one of the dates that makes the Northern Ireland bank holiday calendar different from England and Wales.
Christmas Substitute Days
As with England, Wales and Scotland, Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall at the weekend in 2027.
Therefore, Northern Ireland observes substitute bank holidays on:
- Monday, 27 December
- Tuesday, 28 December
UK Bank Holidays 2027: Complete Comparison
If you want to see the difference between the three UK calendars at a glance, this table makes it easier:
| Date | England & Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year’s Day | New Year’s Day | New Year’s Day |
| 4 January | — | 2nd January substitute | — |
| 17 March | — | — | St Patrick’s Day |
| 26 March | Good Friday | Good Friday | Good Friday |
| 29 March | Easter Monday | — | Easter Monday |
| 3 May | Early May | Early May | Early May |
| 31 May | Spring bank holiday | Spring bank holiday | Spring bank holiday |
| 2 August | — | Summer bank holiday | — |
| 30 August | Summer bank holiday | — | Summer bank holiday |
| 30 November | — | St Andrew’s Day | — |
| 12 July | — | — | Battle of the Boyne |
| 27 December | Christmas substitute | Christmas substitute | Christmas substitute |
| 28 December | Boxing Day substitute | Boxing Day substitute | Boxing Day substitute |
Is There a UK-Wide Bank Holiday Calendar?
Not exactly.
This is one of the most important things to understand when searching for UK bank holidays.
The United Kingdom is made up of four nations:
- England
- Scotland
- Wales
- Northern Ireland
Bank holidays are not identical across all four.
England and Wales share a calendar, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have additional holidays of their own.
That is why GOV.UK provides separate lists for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Are Bank Holidays the Same as Public Holidays?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but they are not always technically identical.
A bank holiday is a day recognised under the UK’s bank holiday legislation, while public holidays can also arise through custom and practice.
For example, the GOV.UK Northern Ireland guidance explains that bank holidays and public holidays can overlap but are not necessarily the same thing.
For someone simply planning work, holidays or business activities, however, the official bank holiday calendar is the important list to check.
Do You Automatically Get Bank Holidays Off Work in the UK?
Not necessarily.
A bank holiday does not automatically mean every employee has a legal right to take that day off as paid leave.
GOV.UK explains that employers do not have to provide paid leave specifically on bank or public holidays. An employer may include bank holidays within a worker’s statutory annual leave entitlement.
This means you should check your employment contract or workplace holiday policy rather than assuming that every bank holiday is an additional paid day off.
Do Bank Holidays Count Towards Annual Leave?
They can.
Whether bank holidays are included in your annual leave entitlement depends on your employment contract and how your employer structures holiday entitlement.
In the UK, workers are generally entitled to 5.6 weeks of statutory paid holiday if they meet the relevant requirements. This can include bank holidays.
For example, someone working five days a week can have a statutory entitlement of 28 days, with the employer potentially counting bank holidays as part of those days.
Therefore, having eight bank holidays in England and Wales does not automatically mean an employee gets eight extra paid days on top of their normal annual leave.
What Happens When a Bank Holiday Falls on a Weekend?
When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute weekday is normally used.
This is exactly what happens with Christmas Day and Boxing Day in 2027.
Christmas Day falls on Saturday, 25 December, while Boxing Day falls on Sunday, 26 December.
The substitute days are therefore:
- Monday, 27 December
- Tuesday, 28 December
GOV.UK confirms that when a bank holiday falls at the weekend, a substitute weekday normally becomes the bank holiday.
What Is the First Bank Holiday of 2027 in the UK?
The first bank holiday of 2027 is New Year’s Day on Friday, 1 January.
It is a bank holiday in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Scotland then has an additional bank holiday on Monday, 4 January for the 2nd January substitute day.
What Is the Last Bank Holiday of 2027?
For England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the final bank holiday listed on the official 2027 calendar is Tuesday, 28 December, the substitute day for Boxing Day.
This follows the substitute day for Christmas Day on Monday, 27 December.
Which UK Nation Has the Most Bank Holidays in 2027?
The number differs by nation:
- England and Wales: 8
- Scotland: 9
- Northern Ireland: 10
Therefore, there is no single figure that can accurately be given as the number of bank holidays for every person in the UK.
Your location within the UK determines which calendar applies.
2027 UK Bank Holidays at a Glance
Here is the simplest summary:
England and Wales — 8 bank holidays
- 1 January — New Year’s Day
- 26 March — Good Friday
- 29 March — Easter Monday
- 3 May — Early May bank holiday
- 31 May — Spring bank holiday
- 30 August — Summer bank holiday
- 27 December — Christmas Day substitute day
- 28 December — Boxing Day substitute day
Scotland — 9 bank holidays
- 1 January — New Year’s Day
- 4 January — 2nd January substitute day
- 26 March — Good Friday
- 3 May — Early May bank holiday
- 31 May — Spring bank holiday
- 2 August — Summer bank holiday
- 30 November — St Andrew’s Day
- 27 December — Christmas Day substitute day
- 28 December — Boxing Day substitute day
Northern Ireland — 10 bank holidays
- 1 January — New Year’s Day
- 17 March — St Patrick’s Day
- 26 March — Good Friday
- 29 March — Easter Monday
- 3 May — Early May bank holiday
- 31 May — Spring bank holiday
- 12 July — Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day)
- 30 August — Summer bank holiday
- 27 December — Christmas Day substitute day
- 28 December — Boxing Day substitute day
All dates above are based on the official GOV.UK 2027 bank holiday calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions About UK Bank Holidays in 2027
How many bank holidays are there in the UK in 2027?
There are 8 bank holidays in England and Wales, 9 in Scotland, and 10 in Northern Ireland in 2027.
How many bank holidays are there in England in 2027?
There are 8 bank holidays in England in 2027.
How many bank holidays are there in Wales in 2027?
There are 8 bank holidays in Wales in 2027, with the same dates as England.
How many bank holidays are there in Scotland in 2027?
There are 9 bank holidays in Scotland in 2027.
How many bank holidays are there in Northern Ireland in 2027?
There are 10 bank holidays in Northern Ireland in 2027.
Is January 1, 2027 a bank holiday?
Yes. Friday, 1 January 2027 is New Year’s Day and is a bank holiday across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Is Good Friday a bank holiday in 2027?
Yes. Good Friday falls on Friday, 26 March 2027. It is listed as a bank holiday in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Is Easter Monday a bank holiday in Scotland in 2027?
No, Easter Monday (March 29, 2027) is not a national UK bank holiday in Scotland.
Is St Patrick’s Day a bank holiday in England?
No. St Patrick’s Day is listed as a bank holiday in Northern Ireland, but not in the England and Wales calendar.
Is St Andrew’s Day a bank holiday in Scotland?
Yes. Tuesday, 30 November 2027 is listed as a bank holiday in Scotland.
Are banks closed on every bank holiday?
Bank holidays are days when banks and many other businesses are closed, but opening arrangements can vary between organisations and services.
Do bank holidays mean I automatically get a paid day off?
No. Employers do not have to give paid leave specifically on bank or public holidays. Whether you get the day off or how it is treated depends on your employment terms.
Conclusion
If you are searching for how many bank holidays there are in 2027 in the UK, the answer depends on your nation.
England: 8 bank holidays
Wales: 8 bank holidays
Scotland: 9 bank holidays
Northern Ireland: 10 bank holidays
The reason for the difference is that the four nations do not have exactly the same bank holiday calendars.
For England and Wales, the main 2027 dates are New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the two May bank holidays, the August bank holiday and the two Christmas substitute days.
Scotland has its own additional dates, including the 2nd January substitute day and St Andrew’s Day.
Northern Ireland has additional holidays including St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day).
If you are planning annual leave, work schedules, travel or business activities for 2027, make sure you use the calendar for the specific UK nation where you live or work.