Early May Bank Holiday
The Early May bank holiday falls on the first Monday of May across all four UK nations. It was added to the calendar in 1978 to mark spring and align with International Workers' Day on 1 May.
When is Early May Bank Holiday?
| Year | Date | Day | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 May 2026 | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday 2026 |
| 2027 | 3 May 2027 | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday 2027 |
| 2028 | 1 May 2028 | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday 2028 |
History
The Early May bank holiday is the youngest of the UK’s standing bank holidays. It was created in 1978 to give the country a public holiday in early May, recognising both the historic May Day tradition and the international labour movement’s choice of 1 May as Workers’ Day.
It has been moved from its first-Monday slot only twice: once in 1995 to Friday 5 May for the 50th anniversary of VE Day, and again in 2020 to Friday 8 May for the 75th anniversary.
Traditions
Morris dancing at dawn, the Padstow ‘Obby ‘Oss procession in Cornwall, and Jack-in-the-Green events in Hastings and Rochester are the most distinctive traditional observances. None of these is specifically tied to the bank holiday Monday — many are observed on 1 May regardless — but the long weekend gives them a wider audience.
Observance
A standard bank holiday in observance: banks, stock exchange and government offices closed; retail open on extended hours; public transport on a Sunday or near-Sunday timetable. Premier League football has a full programme on the bank holiday Monday.
Where it is observed
Early May Bank Holiday is a bank holiday in England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland.