New Year's Day
New Year's Day is a UK bank holiday observed on 1 January every year. When 1 January falls at a weekend, the following Monday is granted as a substitute bank holiday.
When is New Year's Day?
| Year | Date | Day | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 January 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day 2026 |
| 2027 | 1 January 2027 | Friday | New Year's Day 2027 |
| 2028 | 3 January 2028 | Monday | New Year's Day 2028 |
History
New Year’s Day became a formal UK-wide bank holiday in 1974, having already been observed as a public holiday in Scotland long before then. Its origins as a celebration are far older — Roman calendars set 1 January as the start of the civil year, and that convention spread through European Christendom and the British Empire.
Traditions
In Scotland, New Year’s celebrations are part of the wider Hogmanay tradition, which includes first-footing, the singing of Auld Lang Syne (a Robert Burns text), and street parties — Edinburgh’s is among the largest in the world. In England and Wales, the day itself tends to be quieter: a recovery day after the previous night’s parties, with Premier League football fixtures and the London New Year’s Day Parade as fixed points.
Observance
Most retail closes on 1 January or operates reduced hours. Public transport runs to a Sunday or reduced schedule. Banks and the Bank of England payment systems are closed. Many employers grant a half-day on 31 December (Hogmanay in Scotland, where it is also a public holiday since 1974 alongside 2nd January).
Where it is observed
New Year's Day is a bank holiday in England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland.