UK Set for Official Three-Day Working Week in December 2027 as Bank Holidays Create Extended Break
The UK is set to enjoy one of the shortest working weeks in years during December 2027, thanks to the way Christmas bank holidays fall on the calendar.
In 2027, Christmas Day lands on a Saturday and Boxing Day falls on a Sunday. Under UK rules, when a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute day is added on the following weekday(s).
This means:
- Monday 27 December 2027 – Christmas Day substitute bank holiday
- Tuesday 28 December 2027 – Boxing Day substitute bank holiday
As a result, many workers will only need to work Wednesday 29, Thursday 30, and Friday 31 December — giving them a genuine three-day working week before the New Year.
The long break will actually stretch even further for some, as New Year’s Day 2028 falls on a Saturday, with its substitute bank holiday observed on Monday 3 January 2028. This creates an extended festive period with minimal working days between Christmas and the start of 2028.
Full List of Bank Holidays in England & Wales for 2027:
- Friday 1 January – New Year’s Day
- Friday 26 March – Good Friday
- Monday 29 March – Easter Monday
- Monday 3 May – Early May Bank Holiday
- Monday 31 May – Spring Bank Holiday
- Monday 30 August – Summer Bank Holiday
- Monday 27 December – Christmas Day (substitute)
- Tuesday 28 December – Boxing Day (substitute)
The story has been trending across UK media this week, with many people already planning how to make the most of the extra time off at the end of the year.
While this isn’t a permanent change to working patterns (the famous “three-day week” of 1974 was very different), it’s welcome news for those looking forward to a longer festive break.
Are you already counting down to the 2027 festive season?