United Kingdom calendar countdown
Spring bank holiday is getting closer.
In England and Wales, the spring bank holiday falls on the last Monday in May. Dates can differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Dates for 2026 to 2028 are listed below
Spring bank holiday
This date follows the England and Wales schedule. Bank holidays in Scotland and Northern Ireland can differ.
About Spring bank holiday in the United Kingdom
The spring bank holiday replaced the traditional Whit Monday holiday under legislation passed in 1971, so it no longer depends on the date of Easter. It usually coincides with the week of the Chelsea Flower Show, and many schools take their half-term break around it. In 2022 it was moved to 2 June as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
When is Spring bank holiday in the United Kingdom?
The spring bank holiday falls on the last Monday in May, giving 25 May 2026, 31 May 2027 and 29 May 2028.
| Calendar | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Monday 25 May 2026 | Monday 31 May 2027 | Monday 29 May 2028 |
Planning around Spring bank holiday
School half-term usually runs for the week, so book family travel, attractions and childcare early, and expect heavy road and airport traffic on the Friday and Monday. Work out shifts and childcare cover with the free shift planner, or browse every holiday countdown.
Spring bank holiday questions
How many days until Spring bank holiday in the United Kingdom?
The live counter at the top of this page shows the days, hours, minutes and seconds left until the next Spring bank holiday in the United Kingdom, using the time zone you choose. The dates for 2026 to 2028 are in the table above.
When is Spring bank holiday in 2027 in the United Kingdom?
Spring bank holiday falls on Monday 31 May 2027 in the United Kingdom.
Why is it called the spring bank holiday instead of Whit Monday?
The 1971 reform replaced the movable Whit Monday with a fixed rule, the last Monday in May. That made it a secular holiday no longer connected to the church calendar or the date of Easter.