The UK Government has announced the official bank holidays for 2026 and 2027. Citizens can anticipate eight bank holidays each year, though the specific dates will vary. Bank holidays have been a fixture in the UK since 1871, allowing banks, businesses, and schools to close. The UK currently observes eight bank holidays annually, which is relatively low compared to other countries. For instance, Spain has 14, and Columbia observes 18 due to the Catholic calendar.

Despite ongoing petitions to recognize St George’s Day and Victory in Europe (VE) Day as bank holidays, the UK will maintain its standard eight bank holidays in both 2026 and 2027. However, the timing of these holidays will shift slightly due to calendar variations. In 2026, with Christmas Day falling on a Friday, the Boxing Day bank holiday will be observed on December 28. In 2027, Good Friday and Easter Monday will occur a week earlier than usual. Boxing Day in 2027 will also be celebrated on December 28, as Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, pushing the official bank holiday to the following Monday, December 27. The customary May and August bank holidays will occur each summer.

The full list of bank holidays for 2026 is as follows:

• New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1
• Good Friday – Friday, April 3
• Easter Monday – Monday, April 6
• Early May Bank Holiday – Monday, May 4
• Spring bank holiday – Monday, May 25
• Summer bank holiday – Monday, August 31
• Christmas Day – Friday, December 25
• Boxing Day (substitute day) – Monday, December 28

The full list of bank holidays for 2027 is as follows:

• New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1
• Good Friday – Friday, March 26
• Easter Monday – Monday, March 29
• Early May Bank Holiday – Monday, May 3
• Spring bank holiday – Monday, May 31
• Summer bank holiday – Monday, August 30
• Christmas Day (substitute day) – Monday, December 27
• Boxing Day (substitute day) – Tuesday, December 28

Express readers previously advocated for St George’s Day to become a bank holiday in England. A poll of over 7,000 participants showed that 89% supported the idea. Comments from readers highlighted St. George's symbolic importance as a courageous and virtuous warrior.

In a separate announcement, Stora Enso Oyj has released the dates for its financial reports and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2026. The Financial Statement release for 2025 is scheduled for February 4, 2026. Interim reports for January–March, January–June, and January–September 2026 will be published on May 7, July 23, and October 30, respectively. These reports will typically be released around 8:30 EET. Stora Enso's closed period begins either at the end of a reporting period or 30 days before the results announcement, whichever occurs first.

Stora Enso’s Annual Report for 2025 will be available on the company’s website during the week of February 9, 2026. The Annual General Meeting is planned for March 24, 2026, in Helsinki. Further details about the meeting will be announced by the Board of Directors at a later time.

Stora Enso, a leading provider of renewable products, emphasizes its commitment to replacing fossil-based materials with tree-based alternatives. In 2024, the company had approximately 19,000 employees and sales of EUR 9 billion. Stora Enso's shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Oy and Nasdaq Stockholm AB, and are also traded in the USA OTC Markets.