UK Bank HolidayUK-wide bank holiday
When is the Early May bank holiday?
Early May bank holiday 2027 is on Monday 3 May 2027. The first Monday in May.
Next (all of the UK)
Monday 3 May 2027
in 176 days
| Year | England & Wales | Scotland | N. Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028 | Mon 1 May | Mon 1 May | Mon 1 May |
| 2027 | Mon 3 May | Mon 3 May | Mon 3 May |
| 2026 | Mon 4 May | Mon 4 May | Mon 4 May |
| 2025 | Mon 5 May | Mon 5 May | Mon 5 May |
| 2024 | Mon 6 May | Mon 6 May | Mon 6 May |
| 2023 | Mon 1 May | Mon 1 May | Mon 1 May |
| 2022 | Mon 2 May | Mon 2 May | Mon 2 May |
| 2021 | Mon 3 May | Mon 3 May | Mon 3 May |
| 2020 | Fri 8 May | Fri 8 May | Fri 8 May |
| 2019 | Mon 6 May | Mon 6 May | Mon 6 May |
About Early May bank holiday
The Early May bank holiday, often called May Day, falls on the first Monday in May across the whole UK. It was introduced in 1978.
It has occasionally moved: in 2020 it was shifted to Friday 8 May for the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
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
It is always a Monday, so it never needs a substitute day. It has occasionally been moved for national events, most recently to Friday 8 May 2020 for the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Frequently asked questions
When is Early May bank holiday 2026?
Monday 4 May 2026 in England and Wales; Monday 4 May 2026 in Scotland; Monday 4 May 2026 in Northern Ireland.
When is Early May bank holiday 2027?
Monday 3 May 2027 in England and Wales; Monday 3 May 2027 in Scotland; Monday 3 May 2027 in Northern Ireland.
When is Early May bank holiday 2028?
Monday 1 May 2028 in England and Wales; Monday 1 May 2028 in Scotland; Monday 1 May 2028 in Northern Ireland.
Is Early May bank holiday a bank holiday everywhere in the UK?
Yes: it is a bank holiday in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
What happens if Early May bank holiday falls on a weekend?
It is always a Monday, so it never needs a substitute day. It has occasionally been moved for national events, most recently to Friday 8 May 2020 for the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
How many bank holidays are there in May?
Two, across the whole UK: the Early May bank holiday (first Monday) and the Spring bank holiday (last Monday). See May bank holidays for both dates each year.
Other bank holidays
May bank holidays 2027May bank holidays for 2026–2028New 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)Spring bank holidayThe last Monday in MayWorld Cup bank holidayMonday 15 June 2026, Scotland only (one-off)Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day)12 July, Northern Ireland only, moved to a weekday if neededAll England and Wales bank holidaysEngland and Wales dates and calendarAll Scotland bank holidaysScotland dates and calendarAll Northern Ireland bank holidaysNorthern Ireland dates and calendar