Quick answer
The May bank holidays in 2027 are Monday 4 May, the Early May bank holiday, and Monday 25 May, the Spring bank holiday, across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The relevant dates are 4 May 2027 and 25 May 2027. These are bank holidays, although a day off work is subject to your contract and workplace arrangements.
What this means
The two May dates create two long weekends for many people in 2027. 4 May 2027 is the earlier May bank holiday, while 25 May 2027 is the later Spring bank holiday. They apply across the UK nations according to the brief, but an editor should recheck the published calendars before publication.
- Monday 4 May 2027: Early May bank holiday.
- Monday 25 May 2027: Spring bank holiday.
- Workplaces: some businesses, including hospitality, retail and essential services, may operate as normal or on altered hours.
- Schools and services: closures and term-time arrangements can vary locally.
A bank holiday may affect delivery schedules, customer support, public transport timetables and appointment availability. It does not automatically tell you whether every shop, office or service will close.
Common scenarios
I work Monday to Friday. Do I need to book leave? Usually not for the bank-holiday Monday if your employer observes it, but check your contract and rota. Some employers include bank holidays within an overall annual-leave allowance instead of treating them as extra paid leave.
Can I make a longer break? If your workplace permits it, booking the working days around either Monday can turn a small amount of annual leave into a longer period away. Check team coverage early, particularly around the late-May school half-term period.
Will travel be busier? Long weekends often affect demand and timetables. Confirm transport times and accommodation policies directly with providers before committing to plans.
Do the dates differ in Scotland or Northern Ireland? The supplied guidance says both May dates apply across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Official calendars should nevertheless be checked before publishing or making important arrangements.
How to plan this in Offdays
Add both bank holidays to your Offdays calendar, then add the annual-leave days you are considering around them. Seeing 4 May 2027 and 25 May 2027 alongside your team’s availability makes it easier to spot coverage gaps and avoid duplicate requests.
Use a clear label for each date, such as “Early May bank holiday” and “Spring bank holiday”, rather than a generic day off. If your team works across nations, ask colleagues to confirm their local holiday schedule and record any company closure separately. Browse the wider Offdays blog for more practical leave-planning guidance.
Final thoughts
There are two May bank holidays in 2027: one on 4 May and one on 25 May. They are useful anchors for leave planning, but check your employer’s policy and the latest official calendar before relying on a closure or entitlement.