Leave HackerGuidesPlan my yearThe best time to book annual leave in 2027
The best value days in 2027 are around Easter: book Thu 25 Mar for 5 days off. For a proper break, Easter (book 4 days, get 10 off) and Christmas (book 3 days, get 10) give the most days off for the least leave. Here's every bank holiday break in 2027, ranked, and when to ask for it.
Every 2027 break, ranked
England and Wales, best value first. “Best value” is the most days off for each day of leave; “proper break” is the best deal of nine days or more.
| Bank holiday | Best value | Proper break |
|---|---|---|
| Easter Fri 26 Mar to Mon 29 Mar | 1 → 5 Thu 25 Mar | 4 → 10 Mon 22 to Thu 25 Mar |
| Christmas Mon 27 Dec to Tue 28 Dec | 1 → 5 Fri 24 Dec | 3 → 10 Wed 29 to Fri 31 Dec |
| New Year’s Day Fri 1 Jan | 1 → 4 Mon 4 Jan | 5 → 10 Mon 4 to Fri 8 Jan |
| Early May bank holiday Mon 3 May | 1 → 4 Fri 30 Apr | 4 → 9 Tue 4 to Fri 7 May |
| Spring bank holiday Mon 31 May | 1 → 4 Fri 28 May | 4 → 9 Tue 1 to Fri 4 Jun |
| Summer bank holiday Mon 30 Aug | 1 → 4 Fri 27 Aug | 4 → 9 Tue 31 Aug to Fri 3 Sep |
“1 → 4” means book 1 day of leave, get 4 days off in a row, weekends and bank holidays included.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
| Bank holiday | England and Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 5 → 10 | 4 → 10 | 5 → 10 |
| St Patrick’s Day | not a bank holiday | not a bank holiday | 4 → 9 |
| Easter | 4 → 10 | 4 → 9 | 4 → 10 |
| Early May bank holiday | 4 → 9 | 4 → 9 | 4 → 9 |
| Spring bank holiday | 4 → 9 | 4 → 9 | 4 → 9 |
| Battle of the Boyne | not a bank holiday | not a bank holiday | 4 → 9 |
| Summer bank holiday | 4 → 9 | 4 → 9 | 4 → 9 |
| St Andrew’s Day | not a bank holiday | 4 → 9 | not a bank holiday |
| Christmas | 3 → 10 | 3 → 11 | 3 → 10 |
Scotland has no Easter Monday, so the same Easter leave buys a day less there, but it gets 2 January and St Andrew's Day. Northern Ireland adds St Patrick's Day and the Twelfth of July. Guides: St Patrick's Day, the Twelfth, St Andrew's Day.
When to ask for each one
Your employer can refuse a request when too many people want the same days, so ask early for the popular ones. By law you must give notice of at least twice the leave you want plus a day, unless your contract says otherwise. The last column is that legal deadline for the proper break; treat it as the latest, not the plan.
| Break | Competition | Ask by, at the latest |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day Book Mon 4 to Fri 8 Jan | High: Christmas holidays | Thu 24 Dec |
| Easter Book Mon 22 to Thu 25 Mar | High: everyone wants it | Sat 13 Mar |
| Early May bank holiday Book Tue 4 to Fri 7 May | Lower | Sun 25 Apr |
| Spring bank holiday Book Tue 1 to Fri 4 Jun | High: May half term | Sun 23 May |
| Summer bank holiday Book Tue 31 Aug to Fri 3 Sep | High: school summer holidays | Sun 22 Aug |
| Christmas Book Wed 29 to Fri 31 Dec | High: everyone wants it | Wed 22 Dec |
School holidays are the typical pattern in England, not your council's own dates.
- January, or whenever your leave year opens: ask for Easter, the May bank holidays and your summer week together. Lots of people plan then, so the popular weeks go quickly.
- As early as your employer allows: ask for Christmas. It's the one break every team has to share out.
- Any time: the quieter long weekends. One day of leave next to a Monday bank holiday is a four-day weekend, and they're easier to get.
The whole 2027 with 25 days
Planned around the bank holidays, 25 days of leave make 64 days off in England and Wales in 2027, across 13 breaks. See the plan, break by break.
Questions
When is the best time to book annual leave in 2027?
For value, Easter: book Thu 25 Mar for 5 days off. For a long break, Easter (book Mon 22 to Thu 25 Mar, 10 days off) and Christmas (book Wed 29 to Fri 31 Dec, 10 days off). Ask as soon as your leave year opens.
How far in advance should I book annual leave?
As early as you can. The legal minimum is twice the leave you want plus a day (3 days' notice for 1 day off), unless your contract says otherwise, but popular weeks go to whoever asks first. How much notice you need.
When should I ask for Christmas 2027 off?
As soon as your employer opens requests for it. Book Wed 29 to Fri 31 Dec for 10 days off, Saturday 25 December 2027 to Monday 3 January 2028. Christmas 2027.
What if my leave year starts in April?
The same bank holidays apply, but your allowance resets in April, so Easter can fall in either leave year and Christmas sits in the middle of one. The Leave Hacker planner works from your own leave year start date.