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Brits to maximise time off at Christmas with substitute bank holidays in 2026

Brits will receive extra days off around Christmas this year as Christmas Day falls on Friday and Boxing Day on Saturday, creating a substitute bank holiday on Monday, December 28, yielding four consecutive days off without using annual leave.
When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the government website explains: "If a bank holiday is on a weekend, a 'substitute' weekday becomes a bank holiday, normally the following Monday." This rule ensures workers don't lose holiday entitlements.
Throughout 2026, bank holidays are scheduled at multiple intervals: Early May on May 4, Spring on May 25, and Summer on August 31, alongside the Christmas period adjustments providing comprehensive time off across the year.
Next year brings even better arrangements: Christmas falls on Saturday and Boxing Day on Sunday in 2027, creating substitute bank holidays on December 27 and 28, giving workers additional consecutive days off without depleting annual leave.
In Scotland, substitute arrangements differ: when New Year falls on Saturday in 2028, the bank holiday moves to January 3, providing Scotland an extra day off compared to England and Wales, maximizing festive-period flexibility.

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