Here's a calendar to help you plan your long weekends, mini-breaks, and family outings. This guide lists every confirmed bank holiday in England and Wales for 2026 and 2027, suggests the best events and places to visit on each long weekend, gives realistic price ranges and booking links, and offers practical tips to make the most of your days off without emptying the piggy bank.

Quick-reference summary

Use this bullet list to plan at a glance. All dates are for England and Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland have some different days):

  • 2026: Monday 4 May (Early May); Monday 25 May (Spring); Monday 31 August (Summer); Friday 25 December (Christmas Day); Monday 28 December (Boxing Day substitute)
  • 2027: Friday 1 January (New Year’s Day); Friday 26 March (Good Friday); Monday 29 March (Easter Monday); Monday 3 May (Early May); Monday 31 May (Spring); Monday 30 August (Summer); Monday 27 December (Christmas Day substitute); Tuesday 28 December (Boxing Day substitute)
  • Official bank-holiday list and substitute-day rules: gov.uk/bank-holidays

Key dates in full

The government has officially confirmed the following England and Wales bank holidays:

  • 2026 — Mon 4 May (Early May), Mon 25 May (Spring), Mon 31 Aug (Summer), Fri 25 Dec (Christmas Day), Mon 28 Dec (Boxing Day substitute)
  • 2027 — Fri 1 Jan (New Year’s Day), Fri 26 Mar (Good Friday), Mon 29 Mar (Easter Monday), Mon 3 May (Early May), Mon 31 May (Spring), Mon 30 Aug (Summer), Mon 27 Dec (Christmas Day substitute), Tue 28 Dec (Boxing Day substitute)

Here's the thing — and a reminder: if a bank holiday falls on a weekend a substitute weekday is usually appointed — that’s why Boxing Day moves to Monday 28 December in 2026 and both Christmas and Boxing Day shift in 2027.

Best picks for each long weekend — events, locations and booking links

Every bank holiday offers something unique. Here are tried-and-tested ideas, with official booking pages where relevant.

Early May bank holiday (Mon 4 May 2026 / Mon 3 May 2027)

Think gardens and country houses. Gardens are at their best in early May — bluebells and blossom make for excellent walks. Book ahead for popular houses and RHS shows.

  • Visit: National Trust properties — nationaltrust.org.uk (book timed-entry where asked).
  • Event: Local may fayres and food festivals — check town council pages for up-to-date line-ups.

Spring bank holiday (Mon 25 May 2026 / Mon 31 May 2027)

Late May is festival season. Hay Festival and many literary fairs run around this time — book tickets in advance for headline talks.

Mastheads
  • Visit: Seaside towns for a short break — Brighton, Whitstable, St Ives.
  • Booking: Hay Festival — hayfestival.org; theatre and concert pre-sales via ticketmaster.co.uk and venue sites.

Summer bank holiday (Mon 31 Aug 2026 / Mon 30 Aug 2027)

The long August weekend is for street parties, carnivals and city trips. London hosts Notting Hill Carnival over the August bank holiday weekend; book travel early and expect crowds.

  • Event: Notting Hill Carnival — nottinghillcarnival.org.uk (no official ticket, but consider guided tours or hospitality packages).
  • Visit: Edinburgh or a UK festival — check festival programmes; book trains weeks in advance.

Easter long weekend (Fri 26 Mar 2027 & Mon 29 Mar 2027)

A four-day break if you can take the Friday and Monday — perfect for a short European break or a family visit to a theme park. Many attractions run special Easter trails for children; book slots early.

  • Visit: Alton Towers, Legoland, and zoo Easter events — attraction sites sell limited-date tickets.

Christmas and Boxing Day substitutes (Dec 2026 / Dec 2027)

Expect travel peak prices and fewer trains on the exact days — but excellent off-season deals for theatre and winter markets in December. Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park runs through December — check hydeparkwinterwonderland.com for tickets and ride prices.

Prices — realistic ranges and where to book

These are the usual price ranges you can expect. Always check official sites and book early for the best deals.

  • Advance rail fares (standard-class return): short regional trips from £10–£35; longer cross-country returns often £30–£80 if booked a month ahead. Book at nationalrail.co.uk or train operators’ sites.
  • Coach travel (Megabus, National Express): return fares from £6 to £30 for many routes — good for tight budgets.
  • Ferry to islands (Isle of Wight, Isle of Arran): return fares from around £15–£40 per adult — check wightlink.co.uk and calmac.co.uk.
  • Attractions: National Trust day parking/ticketing varies; single-entry garden or castle tickets often £8–£20 per adult. Major attractions (theme parks, zoos) £25–£60 per adult booked in advance.
  • London theatre: standing and last-minute tickets from £10–£30; stalls/front-row seats £40–£120 depending on show.
  • Staycations: B&B double rooms £60–£120 per night in coastal towns off-peak; city hotel rooms £90–£200 per night on bank-holiday weekends.

Practical tips — book, travel, pack

Make your plans early because trains and hotels fill up fast. Guided tours and family activities book up quickly, too. Here’s how to make life easier.

  • Book transport at least 4–6 weeks ahead for bank-holiday weekends. For August bank holiday and Christmas travel, book earlier — 8–12 weeks if you can.
  • Use railcards (16–25, Two Together, Senior) — they cut many fares by a third and pay off fast if you take two or three trips a year.
  • Check substitute-day rules on gov.uk/bank-holidays so you don’t miss that Boxing Day swap. Employers don’t have to give paid leave on bank holidays — confirm your company policy early.
  • If driving, leave early morning or late evening to avoid peak outbound times. Pack for changeable weather — even in August bring a light waterproof and layers.
  • Consider weekday alternatives — some attractions are quieter the working day after a bank holiday when many visitors head home.

Insider recommendations

Want to avoid the worst crowds but still enjoy the best bits? Try these:

  • Swap the main event for a satellite one. For Notting Hill, explore smaller neighbourhood street parties or book a canal-boat brunch in Little Venice.
  • Use small stations. Instead of the main city station, pick a nearby town and take a short connecting train or bus — usually cheaper and less frantic.
  • Book timed-entry where offered — many National Trust and English Heritage sites use it; it spreads visitors and saves queuing time.
  • For family breaks, book attractions with included food packages — they often work out cheaper than pay-as-you-go on-site catering.

Budget options — make a long weekend cheap and cheerful

Bank holidays don’t have to break the bank. Here are some low-cost ideas that still feel like a treat.

  • Free museum day: London’s museums are mostly free — British Museum, Tate Modern, V&A — perfect for a rainy bank holiday.
  • National Trust or local nature reserves: low-cost membership (or pay-as-you-go day entry) gives access to large estates and coast paths. Check nationaltrust.org.uk for membership and entry details.
  • Camping and glamping: pitch fees from £10–£25 per person per night at basic sites; glamping pods from £50–£120. Booking platforms: pitchup.com, campsites.co.uk.
  • Coach travel and city walking tours: cheap coach return plus a free or low-cost walking tour gives a full weekend from under £50 per person.

Finally, mark the substitute days on your calendar now — especially the Christmas shifts in 2026 and 2027. They change planning for visits, work rotas and seasonal savings. And remember: bank holidays are great for rest and short adventures, so plan early, book smart and leave time for a proper cuppa.

Related Articles

Those are the confirmed bank holidays for 2026 and 2027, with sensible ideas and price ranges to help you plan trips, family days and short breaks. Check official pages (gov.uk/bank-holidays, nationaltrust.org.uk, and attraction websites) before booking, and try to reserve travel and tickets several weeks ahead — especially for August and Christmas weekends.

This article was created with AI assistance.