Is today a bank holiday - are shops open on December 27 and 28?

27 Dec 2021

Metro.co.uk

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Is today a bank holiday are shops open on December 27 and 28

Clearing up any Christmas bank holiday confusion

Beautiful Gold Christmas Star hanging on a Christmas Tree — With Christmas Day on a Saturday this year, what does that mean for the bank holiday that usually comes with it? (Picture: Getty Images)

Whether you’re celebrating or not, something that many people look forward to over the Christmas period is the prospect of bank holidays.

True, many people still have to work, and it can mean delayed deliveries and postal orders and limited opening hours – but equally, it can be an excuse to relax and slow down.

However, with Christmas Day and Boxing Day falling on Saturday and Sunday this year, there are some questions as to whether the weekdays that follow will be all systems go, or whether the rest days carry over.

So, are December 27 and 28 bank holidays?

Is today a bank holiday?

Call us the bearers of good news – as we’re happy to say that today, Monday 27 December is indeed a bank holiday across the United Kingdom.

It’s a substitute for what would have been the bank holiday for Christmas Day.

And if extra snooze days are your thing, you’re in luck – Tuesday 28 December is also a bank holiday, filling in for what would have occurred if Boxing Day had fallen on a weekday.

Get some Zzzzz African woman sleeping in her bed. Young woman sleeping in her bed in the morning at home. — No work? Why not catch up on some well-deserved zzzs? (Picture: Getty Images)

When’s the next bank holiday?

Luckily, you don’t have to wait too long for your next dose of BH goodness – the next one is on Monday 3 January. Since New Year’s Day (January 1) falls on Saturday, its accompanying ‘off-day’ falls on the next weekday after it, which is Monday.

Are shops open today?

Though today is often referenced to as ‘Christmas Day (Observed)’ in matters relating to trade, many supermarkets and retail stores will be open today, with some operating with different opening hours. Normal house for services such as the Post Office may not resume until Wednesday 29 December.