Leave HackerGuidesPlan my yearHow to turn 25 days of leave into 64 days off in 2028
With 25 days of annual leave and the 10 bank holidays in Northern Ireland, you can have 64 days off in 2028 across 13 breaks, including 10 days at Easter and 9 days at Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day). These are the exact days to book, assuming you work Monday to Friday and your leave year starts in January.
The best value days to book
One day of leave next to a bank holiday weekend goes furthest. Book these first:
| Bank holiday | Book | Days off |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Tue 4 Jan | 4 |
| St Patrick’s Day | Thu 16 Mar | 4 |
| Easter | Thu 13 Apr | 5 |
| Early May bank holiday | Fri 28 Apr | 4 |
| Spring bank holiday | Fri 26 May | 4 |
| Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) | Mon 10 to Tue 11 Jul | 5 |
| Summer bank holiday | Fri 25 Aug | 4 |
| Christmas | Fri 22 Dec | 5 |
The 25-day plan, break by break
13 breaks, at least two weeks apart, using 25 days of leave and every bank holiday. Total: 64 days off.
New Year’s Day: book 1 day, get 4 off
January long weekend: book 2 days, get 4 off
February long weekend: book 2 days, get 4 off
St Patrick’s Day: book 1 day, get 4 off
Easter: book 4 days, get 10 off
May long weekend: book 2 days, get 4 off
Spring bank holiday: book 1 day, get 4 off
June long weekend: book 2 days, get 4 off
Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day): book 4 days, get 9 off
August long weekend: book 2 days, get 4 off
Summer bank holiday: book 1 day, get 4 off
September long weekend: book 2 days, get 4 off
Christmas: book 1 day, get 5 off
More or less leave?
| Days of leave | Days off | Breaks |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 55 | 11 |
| 25 | 64 | 13 |
| 28 | 71 | 15 |
| 30 | 75 | 16 |
Leave on top of the bank holidays, planned the same way: two breaks of nine days or more, the rest long weekends.
Long weekends or big trips?
| Style | Days off | Breaks |
|---|---|---|
| Mix it up two proper holidays, the rest long weekends | 64 | 13 |
| Long weekends as many three- and four-day weekends as possible | 84 | 25 |
| Big trips fewer, longer trips of nine days or more | 57 | 6 |
Long weekends score highest on paper because every Friday off brings a whole weekend with it. If you want to go somewhere, the mix gives you 2 proper breaks and still turns 25 days into 64.
How this is worked out
- A break counts every day from your first day off to your last, weekends and bank holidays included.
- Bank holiday dates are gov.uk's for Northern Ireland. When a holiday falls at a weekend, the substitute day is used.
- Only work days in 2028 are booked. A break can run into January 2029 on free days, such as the New Year bank holiday, but never on leave from next year's allowance.
- Breaks are kept at least two weeks apart, so the year doesn't turn into one long run of Fridays.
- It's the same optimiser the Leave Hacker app uses, checked by tests against these numbers.
Questions
How many days off can I get with 25 days of annual leave in 2028?
In Northern Ireland, 64 days off across 13 breaks, using every bank holiday. With 20 days it's 55; with 28, 71.
What's the best day to book off in 2028?
Easter: book Thu 13 Apr and you're off Thursday 13 April to Monday 17 April 2028, 5 days for 1 day.
How do I get 10 days off at Easter 2028?
Book Mon 10 to Thu 13 Apr (4 days). You're off Saturday 8 April to Monday 17 April 2028.
How do I get 9 days off at Christmas 2028?
Book Wed 27 to Fri 29 Dec (3 days). You're off Saturday 23 December to Sunday 31 December 2028. More on Christmas 2028.
What if my leave year starts in April, or I don't work Monday to Friday?
The days to book change. The Leave Hacker app plans around your own leave year, whatever day it starts, and your own working days.
When should I book?
As early as your employer allows. The days around Easter and Christmas are the ones colleagues ask for too, so get the request in first.