The Government has confirmed the bank holidays that Brits will get over the next two years. People are set to enjoy eight bank holidays in both 2026 and 2027, although the dates will vary between each year.
The UK has had official bank holidays since 1871, which means banks, businesses and schools are allowed to close. We now have eight across the year, which is one of the lowest amounts in the world. In comparison, Spain has 14 per year while Columbia has 18 due to the Catholic calendar.
Despite calls for a bank holiday on St George's Day and Victory in Europe (VE) Day, the UK will once again have the usual eight bank holidays in both 2026 and 2027. However, due to the way the dates fall throughout the year, some of them are earlier or later than usual.
Next year, because Christmas Day is on a Friday, the official Boxing Day bank holiday will fall back to December 28. Good Friday and Easter Monday will also be a week earlier in 2027.
Boxing Day will once again be on December 28 in 2027 as Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, meaning its official bank holiday will be on the following Monday (December 27). Throughout each summer, there will be the usual bank holidays in May and August.
Here is the full list of bank holidays in 2026:
Here is the full list of bank holidays in 2027:
Readers of the Express previously called for St George's Day to be an official bank holiday in England. In a poll of over 7,000 votes, 89% of people agreed that it should be a holiday. Meanwhile, just 10% said no.
Whyayeman said: "100%. St. George was chosen as England’s patron saint largely due to his reputation as a courageous and virtuous warrior. Although he never visited England, his legend spread across Europe, particularly during the Crusades. His most famous story—slaying a dragon—symbolized the triumph of good over evil, making him an appealing figure for medieval knights."
Castlelord10 agreed: "Absolutely should have St. George's Day as a bank holiday." Lazy Git added: "Yes... ALL the patron saints national days should be bank holidays in their respective countries."
