Early May Bank Holiday
United Kingdom · 2026
About Early May Bank Holiday
The Early May Bank Holiday is a public holiday in the United Kingdom observed on the first Monday of May. It was established by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 to provide an additional public holiday in spring.
While the date coincides with International Workers' Day (May 1st) in many countries, the UK's Early May Bank Holiday is not officially associated with the labour movement. It was created primarily to give workers an additional spring public holiday.
The holiday has occasionally been moved or replaced for special occasions — for example, in 2020 it was moved to May 8th to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Quick Facts
- Date 2026
- May 4, 2026
- Day
- Monday
- Type
- Public
- Scope
- National
- Fixed Date
- No — date changes each year
- Traditions
- Maypole dancing · Morris dancing · Bank holiday travel · Outdoor festivals
When is Early May Bank Holiday?
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 5, 2025 | Monday |
| 2026This year | May 4, 2026 | Monday |
| 2027 | May 3, 2027 | Monday |
3-Day Long Weekend
Because Early May Bank Holiday falls on a Monday, it creates a 3-day long weekend from Saturday, May 2 to Monday, May 4.
How is Early May Bank Holiday Celebrated?
The Early May Bank Holiday is typically enjoyed as a leisure day, with the long weekend prompting trips to the countryside, coastal towns, and parks. The spring timing makes it a popular occasion for outdoor activities, festivals, and bank holiday markets.
Many towns and villages hold May Day traditions during this weekend, including maypole dancing, Morris dancing, and crowning of May Queens — customs that predate the bank holiday and reflect ancient spring fertility celebrations.
Did You Know?
- •May Day traditions of dancing around the maypole date back to the 14th century in England.
- •In 2020, the Early May Bank Holiday was moved to May 8th to mark the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
- •The Bank Holiday Act 1871, introduced by Liberal MP Sir John Lubbock, established the first UK bank holidays — earning them the nickname 'St Lubbock's Days.'
- •Bank holidays cost the UK economy an estimated £2.3 billion each per day due to lost productivity.
- •England and Wales have 8 bank holidays per year, while Scotland has 9 and Northern Ireland has 10.