UK Bank HolidayUK-wide bank holiday
Christmas Day bank holiday
Christmas Day 2026 is on Friday 25 December 2026. 25 December, or a substitute weekday if it falls at a weekend.
Next (all of the UK)
Friday 25 December 2026
in 47 days
| Year | England & Wales | Scotland | N. Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028 | Mon 25 Dec | Mon 25 Dec | Mon 25 Dec |
| 2027 | Mon 27 Decsub | Mon 27 Decsub | Mon 27 Decsub |
| 2026 | Fri 25 Dec | Fri 25 Dec | Fri 25 Dec |
| 2025 | Thu 25 Dec | Thu 25 Dec | Thu 25 Dec |
| 2024 | Wed 25 Dec | Wed 25 Dec | Wed 25 Dec |
| 2023 | Mon 25 Dec | Mon 25 Dec | Mon 25 Dec |
| 2022 | Tue 27 Decsub | Tue 27 Decsub | Tue 27 Decsub |
| 2021 | Mon 27 Decsub | Mon 27 Decsub | Mon 27 Decsub |
| 2020 | Fri 25 Dec | Fri 25 Dec | Fri 25 Dec |
| 2019 | Wed 25 Dec | Wed 25 Dec | Wed 25 Dec |
About Christmas Day
Christmas Day is a holiday across the UK. When 25 December falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute weekday (usually the 27th) becomes the bank holiday.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland it is a common law holiday; in Scotland it is a bank holiday under the 1971 Act.
Employers do not have to give bank holidays as paid days off; whether you get the day off depends on your contract.
If it falls on a weekend
If 25 December is a Saturday, the bank holiday moves to Monday 27 December (and Boxing Day to Tuesday 28). If it is a Sunday, Boxing Day keeps Monday 26 and the Christmas Day substitute is Tuesday 27 December.
Frequently asked questions
When is Christmas Day 2026?
Friday 25 December 2026 in England and Wales; Friday 25 December 2026 in Scotland; Friday 25 December 2026 in Northern Ireland.
When is Christmas Day 2027?
Monday 27 December 2027 (substitute day) in England and Wales; Monday 27 December 2027 (substitute day) in Scotland; Monday 27 December 2027 (substitute day) in Northern Ireland.
When is Christmas Day 2028?
Monday 25 December 2028 in England and Wales; Monday 25 December 2028 in Scotland; Monday 25 December 2028 in Northern Ireland.
Is Christmas Day a bank holiday everywhere in the UK?
Yes: it is a bank holiday in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
What happens if Christmas Day falls on a weekend?
If 25 December is a Saturday, the bank holiday moves to Monday 27 December (and Boxing Day to Tuesday 28). If it is a Sunday, Boxing Day keeps Monday 26 and the Christmas Day substitute is Tuesday 27 December.
Are benefits paid early at Christmas?
Usually, yes: payments due on a weekend or bank holiday are normally paid on the working day before. See bank holiday payment dates.
Are shops open on Christmas Day?
Large shops (over 280 square metres) must close on Christmas Day in England, Wales and Scotland by law. Small shops can open.
Other bank holidays
New Year’s Day1 January, or the next weekday if it falls at a weekend2nd January2 January, Scotland only, moved to a weekday if neededSt Patrick’s Day17 March, Northern Ireland only, moved to a weekday if neededGood FridayThe Friday before Easter SundayEaster MondayThe Monday after Easter Sunday (not Scotland)Early May bank holidayThe first Monday in MaySpring bank holidayThe last Monday in MayWorld Cup bank holidayMonday 15 June 2026, Scotland only (one-off)All England and Wales bank holidaysEngland and Wales dates and calendarAll Scotland bank holidaysScotland dates and calendarAll Northern Ireland bank holidaysNorthern Ireland dates and calendar