Leave HackerGuidesPlan my yearThe best time to book annual leave in 2028
The best value days in 2028 are around Easter: book Thu 13 Apr for 5 days off. For a proper break, Easter (book 4 days, get 10 off) and Christmas (book 3 days, get 9) give the most days off for the least leave. Here's every bank holiday break in 2028, ranked, and when to ask for it.
Every 2028 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 14 Apr to Mon 17 Apr | 1 → 5 Thu 13 Apr | 4 → 10 Mon 10 to Thu 13 Apr |
| Christmas Mon 25 Dec to Tue 26 Dec | 1 → 5 Fri 22 Dec | 3 → 9 Wed 27 to Fri 29 Dec |
| New Year’s Day Mon 3 Jan | 1 → 4 Tue 4 Jan | 4 → 9 Tue 4 to Fri 7 Jan |
| Early May bank holiday Mon 1 May | 1 → 4 Fri 28 Apr | 4 → 9 Tue 2 to Fri 5 May |
| Spring bank holiday Mon 29 May | 1 → 4 Fri 26 May | 4 → 9 Tue 30 May to Fri 2 Jun |
| Summer bank holiday Mon 28 Aug | 1 → 4 Fri 25 Aug | 4 → 9 Tue 29 Aug to Fri 1 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 | 4 → 9 | 3 → 9 | 4 → 9 |
| 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 → 9 | 3 → 9 | 3 → 9 |
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 Tue 4 to Fri 7 Jan | High: Christmas holidays | Sun 26 Dec |
| Easter Book Mon 10 to Thu 13 Apr | High: everyone wants it | Sat 1 Apr |
| Early May bank holiday Book Tue 2 to Fri 5 May | Lower | Sun 23 Apr |
| Spring bank holiday Book Tue 30 May to Fri 2 Jun | High: May half term | Sun 21 May |
| Summer bank holiday Book Tue 29 Aug to Fri 1 Sep | High: school summer holidays | Sun 20 Aug |
| Christmas Book Wed 27 to Fri 29 Dec | High: everyone wants it | Wed 20 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 2028 with 25 days
Planned around the bank holidays, 25 days of leave make 60 days off in England and Wales in 2028, across 12 breaks. See the plan, break by break.
Questions
When is the best time to book annual leave in 2028?
For value, Easter: book Thu 13 Apr for 5 days off. For a long break, Easter (book Mon 10 to Thu 13 Apr, 10 days off) and Christmas (book Wed 27 to Fri 29 Dec, 9 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 2028 off?
As soon as your employer opens requests for it. Book Wed 27 to Fri 29 Dec for 9 days off, Saturday 23 December to Sunday 31 December 2028. Christmas 2028.
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.