Leave HackerGuidesPlan my yearMay bank holidays 2028: book 4 days, get 9 off
The early May bank holiday is Monday 1 May and the spring bank holiday is Monday 29 May 2028, across the UK. Book Fri 28 Apr for a 4-day weekend, or 4 days (Tue 2 to Fri 5 May) for 9 days off in a row.
May 2028 bank holidays
| Bank holiday | England and Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early May bank holiday | Mon 1 May | Mon 1 May | Mon 1 May |
| Spring bank holiday | Mon 29 May | Mon 29 May | Mon 29 May |
Both are Mondays and the same across the UK: Monday 1 May and Monday 29 May.
Early May bank holiday 2028: Monday 1 May
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Book 1 day, get 4 off
Book 4 days, get 9 off
| Days of leave | Days off | Days to book | Off from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Fri 28 Apr | 28 Apr to 1 May |
| 2 | 5 | Thu 27 to Fri 28 Apr | 27 Apr to 1 May |
| 3 | 6 | Wed 26 to Fri 28 Apr | 26 Apr to 1 May |
| 4 | 9 | Tue 2 to Fri 5 May | 29 Apr to 7 May |
| 5 | 10 | Mon 24 to Fri 28 Apr | 22 Apr to 1 May |
| 9 | 18 | Tue 18 to Fri 21 Apr and Mon 24 to Fri 28 Apr | 14 Apr to 1 May |
Open “book 4 days, get 9 off” in the planner to see it in your year and get the message for your manager.
In Scotland
Book 1 day, get 4 off
Book 4 days, get 9 off
| Days of leave | Days off | Days to book | Off from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Fri 28 Apr | 28 Apr to 1 May |
| 2 | 5 | Thu 27 to Fri 28 Apr | 27 Apr to 1 May |
| 3 | 6 | Wed 26 to Fri 28 Apr | 26 Apr to 1 May |
| 4 | 9 | Tue 2 to Fri 5 May | 29 Apr to 7 May |
| 5 | 10 | Mon 24 to Fri 28 Apr | 22 Apr to 1 May |
Open “book 4 days, get 9 off” in the planner to see it in your year and get the message for your manager.
Spring bank holiday 2028: Monday 29 May
In England, May half term is usually the week of the spring bank holiday (Sat 27 May to Sun 4 Jun on the typical pattern), so expect parents to want the same days. Check your council's dates.
The same days work across the whole UK.
Book 1 day, get 4 off
Book 4 days, get 9 off
| Days of leave | Days off | Days to book | Off from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Fri 26 May | 26 to 29 May |
| 2 | 5 | Thu 25 to Fri 26 May | 25 to 29 May |
| 3 | 6 | Wed 24 to Fri 26 May | 24 to 29 May |
| 4 | 9 | Tue 30 May to Fri 2 Jun | 27 May to 4 Jun |
| 5 | 10 | Mon 22 to Fri 26 May | 20 to 29 May |
Open “book 4 days, get 9 off” in the planner to see it in your year and get the message for your manager.
Book it before your colleagues do
Early May bank holiday 2028 is a week a lot of people want off, and your employer can turn down a request when too many of the team are already away. The earlier you ask, the better your chance.
- Ask as soon as your leave year opens. If it runs January to December, that's the start of January 2028. Lots of people plan their year then, so the popular weeks can go quickly.
- The legal minimum. Unless your contract sets its own rules, you have to give notice of twice the leave you want plus a day. For these 4 days that means asking by Sunday 23 April 2028 at the latest. How notice works.
- When they can say no. Your employer can refuse or cancel leave, but they must tell you at least the length of the leave plus a day beforehand: by Thursday 27 April for this break. Wait for a yes before you book flights. Can my employer refuse?
Hi, could I book annual leave on Tue 2 May, Wed 3 May, Thu 4 May and Fri 5 May? That's 4 days, and I'd be off from Sat 29 Apr to Sun 7 May. Thanks!
How to ask for annual leave, with more ways to put it. If you have children at school, check your council's term dates first: school holidays and annual leave.
Questions
When are the May bank holidays in 2028?
The early May bank holiday is Monday 1 May 2028 and the spring bank holiday is Monday 29 May 2028. Both are the same in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
How do I get 9 days off in early May 2028?
Book Tue 2 to Fri 5 May: 4 days of leave. You're off Saturday 29 April to Sunday 7 May 2028.
How do I get 9 days off at the end of May 2028?
Book Tue 30 May to Fri 2 Jun (4 days). You're off Saturday 27 May to Sunday 4 June 2028.
Are the May bank holidays always on a Monday?
Usually: the early May bank holiday is the first Monday in May and the spring bank holiday the last. They can move for national events. In 2020 the early May bank holiday moved to Friday 8 May for VE Day, and in 2022 the spring bank holiday moved to Thursday 2 June for the Platinum Jubilee (gov.uk).