Public holidays in London

What it means for your trip

On an English bank holiday offices, banks and schools are closed, but most shops, markets and attractions stay open, often on Sunday-style hours. The Tube and buses run a reduced, Sunday-like service. Christmas Day is the exception: almost everything is closed and the Tube and buses do not run.

Public holidays in 2026

• Thu 1 January New Year's Day
  The first day of the year. Offices and banks are closed, many shops and attractions open on shorter hours and the Tube runs a Sunday-style service.
• Fri 3 April Good Friday
  The Friday before Easter. Offices, banks and schools are closed; most shops and many attractions open, often Sunday-style, with a reduced Tube and bus service.
• Mon 6 April Easter Monday
  The day after Easter Sunday. Offices, banks and schools are closed; shops and attractions are mostly open on bank holiday hours.
• Mon 4 May Early May bank holiday
  A spring Monday off on the first Monday of May. Offices, banks and schools are closed; shops, markets and attractions are mostly open.
• Mon 25 May Spring bank holiday
  The last Monday of May, often with school half-term the same week. Offices and banks are closed; shops, markets and attractions are mostly open.
• Mon 31 August Summer bank holiday
  The last Monday of August, the end of the summer holiday weekend. Offices and banks are closed; shops and attractions are mostly open and busy.
• Fri 25 December Christmas Day
  Almost everything is closed: shops, restaurants and attractions. The Tube and buses do not run, and this applies even when the day falls on a weekend.
• Sat 26 December Boxing Day
  The day after Christmas, known for the post-Christmas sales. Many shops open on shorter hours, many attractions are closed or reduced, and transport is limited.
• Mon 28 December Substitute bank holiday
  When New Year's Day, Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, the next weekday is a bank holiday instead. Shops and most attractions open on holiday hours.

Public holidays in 2027

• Fri 1 January New Year's Day
  The first day of the year. Offices and banks are closed, many shops and attractions open on shorter hours and the Tube runs a Sunday-style service.
• Fri 26 March Good Friday
  The Friday before Easter. Offices, banks and schools are closed; most shops and many attractions open, often Sunday-style, with a reduced Tube and bus service.
• Mon 29 March Easter Monday
  The day after Easter Sunday. Offices, banks and schools are closed; shops and attractions are mostly open on bank holiday hours.
• Mon 3 May Early May bank holiday
  A spring Monday off on the first Monday of May. Offices, banks and schools are closed; shops, markets and attractions are mostly open.
• Mon 31 May Spring bank holiday
  The last Monday of May, often with school half-term the same week. Offices and banks are closed; shops, markets and attractions are mostly open.
• Mon 30 August Summer bank holiday
  The last Monday of August, the end of the summer holiday weekend. Offices and banks are closed; shops and attractions are mostly open and busy.
• Sat 25 December Christmas Day
  Almost everything is closed: shops, restaurants and attractions. The Tube and buses do not run, and this applies even when the day falls on a weekend.
• Sun 26 December Boxing Day
  The day after Christmas, known for the post-Christmas sales. Many shops open on shorter hours, many attractions are closed or reduced, and transport is limited.
• Mon 27 December – Tue 28 December Substitute bank holiday
  When New Year's Day, Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, the next weekday is a bank holiday instead. Shops and most attractions open on holiday hours.