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PublicShut
Early May Bank Holiday
Monday, 4 May 2026 · United Kingdom · Nationwide · Public holiday
Bridge day check
Falls on a Monday, so it makes a three-day weekend with no leave needed.
What the day is for
Introduced in 1978 and the least ceremonial of the UK's holidays — a first Monday in May that simply starts the summer season. Occasionally moved for national commemorations.
Do shops and banks close?
Banks close; retail trades fully. Garden centres and DIY chains do their biggest weekend of the year.
Getting around
Saturday-style rail timetables and heavy motorway traffic on the Friday evening.
When it falls each year
Floating holidays shift; fixed ones move only in which weekday they land on.
2025Monday · 5 May 20253-day break
2026Monday · 4 May 20263-day break
2027Monday · 3 May 20273-day break
2028Monday · 1 May 20283-day break
2029Monday · 7 May 20293-day break
See the full United Kingdom holiday calendar or count the working days.