Good Friday
Good Friday 2027 falls on Friday 26 March. In 2028, Good Friday falls on Friday 14 April.
The dates of Good Friday, this year and in the years ahead.
When is Good Friday?
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Friday, 18 April 2025 |
| 2026 | Friday, 3 April 2026 |
| 2027 | Friday, 26 March 2027 |
| 2028 | Friday, 14 April 2028 |
| 2029 | Friday, 30 March 2029 |
| 2030 | Friday, 19 April 2030 |
| 2031 | Friday, 11 April 2031 |
Dates calculated from the statutory rules. Source: GOV.UK: UK bank holidays. More about our sources
What is Good Friday?
On Good Friday, Christians remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus. It is the Friday before Easter Sunday and one of the most solemn days of the Christian year. Many churches hold services in the afternoon, around the time Jesus is said to have died.
The day is the climax of Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday and includes Maundy Thursday, the commemoration of the Last Supper.
Because Good Friday is always two days before Easter Sunday, its date moves every year, between late March and late April.
In 2027 it falls on Friday 26 March.
Good Friday in the UK
Good Friday is a bank holiday throughout the UK. In England and Wales, together with Christmas Day, it has long been a holiday by custom rather than one created by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act. As it always falls on a Friday, there is never a substitute day.
Hot cross buns are the traditional Good Friday treat, and fish is often on the menu. For many people the day marks the start of a four-day Easter weekend, as Easter Monday is also a bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, Easter Monday is not a bank holiday.
Frequently asked questions
When is Good Friday 2027?
In 2027, Good Friday falls on Friday 26 March.
Is Good Friday a day off?
Yes, Good Friday is a public holiday in the United Kingdom.
Why is it called Good Friday?
The origin is not certain. The most common explanation is that 'good' is used in an older sense of 'holy' or 'pious'.
Is Good Friday a bank holiday in Scotland?
Yes. Good Friday is a bank holiday in every part of the UK. It is Easter Monday that is not a bank holiday in Scotland.
Am I entitled to a day off on a bank holiday?
There is no statutory right to time off on a bank holiday. Whether you have the day off, and whether you are paid extra if you work, depends on your contract. Employers may include bank holidays in your statutory annual leave.