New Year's Day
New Year's Day 2027 falls on Friday 1 January. In 2028, New Year's Day falls on Saturday 1 January.
The dates of New Year's Day, this year and in the years ahead.
When is New Year's Day?
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Wednesday, 1 January 2025 |
| 2026 | Thursday, 1 January 2026 |
| 2027 | Friday, 1 January 2027 |
| 2028 | Saturday, 1 January 2028Day off: Monday, 3 January 2028 |
| 2029 | Monday, 1 January 2029 |
| 2030 | Tuesday, 1 January 2030 |
| 2031 | Wednesday, 1 January 2031 |
Dates calculated from the statutory rules. Source: GOV.UK: UK bank holidays. More about our sources
Why does the year start in January?
New Year's Day is the first day of the calendar year. Starting the year in January goes back to the Romans, who began their civil year on the first day of that month. Over the following centuries many European countries began their year on other dates, often in March. England and its American colonies only switched to a year starting in January in the mid-eighteenth century, at the same time as they adopted the Gregorian calendar; Scotland had already done so long before.
The date never changes; only the day of the week does. The table above shows which day New Year's Day falls on in the coming years.
New Year's Day in the UK
New Year's Day is a bank holiday in every part of the UK. If it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday becomes a substitute bank holiday. Scotland also has 2 January as a bank holiday, so most Scots get two days to recover from Hogmanay.
Many people spend the day quietly after a late night: a long walk, a family lunch or a bracing New Year's Day swim in the sea, which has become a tradition in many coastal towns. In Scotland the custom of first-footing lives on: the first visitor to cross the threshold after midnight brings luck for the year, traditionally carrying a gift such as shortbread or a lump of coal.
Frequently asked questions
When is New Year's Day 2027?
In 2027, New Year's Day falls on Friday 1 January.
Is New Year's Day a day off?
Yes, New Year's Day is a public holiday in the United Kingdom.
Why does the year start in January?
Because the Romans began their civil year in January. Many European countries later used other start dates, but over time the first of January became the standard almost everywhere.
Is 2 January a bank holiday?
Only in Scotland. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 2 January is a normal working day unless it becomes a substitute day because New Year's Day falls on a weekend.
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.