The smartest vacation planners don't wait for the new year to arrive — they mark the long weekends in advance and book time off before the rush. 2027 brings several well-placed public holidays that are perfect for family getaways, short trips abroad, or simply recharging at home. Here's a clear breakdown of every date worth knowing so you can plan ahead with confidence.
2027 public holidays at a glance
Most public holiday dates can be calculated well in advance, which means your leave planning doesn't have to wait. Keep in mind, however, that any mandatory make-up working Saturdays — where a day off is moved in exchange for working a weekend — will only be confirmed once the official annual work schedule regulation is published. Always double-check before booking non-refundable travel.
January 1–3 — a three-day New Year's break
New Year's Day falls on a Friday in 2027, which means the year kicks off with an instant three-day weekend. Friday the 1st is a public holiday, followed immediately by Saturday and Sunday — no extra vacation days needed to enjoy a proper long break to start the year.
March 13–15 — three-day weekend in mid-March
March 15th is a national public holiday commemorating a historic independence movement, and in 2027 it falls on a Monday. Combined with the preceding Saturday and Sunday, this gives you another effortless three-day weekend — ideal for a spring city break or a day trip.
March 26–29 — four-day Easter weekend
Easter falls at the end of March in 2027. Good Friday is on March 26th, Easter Sunday on March 28th, and Easter Monday on March 29th. With the weekend sandwiched in between, you're looking at a full four-day holiday stretch — one of the best opportunities of the year for a longer trip without burning through much vacation time.
May 15–17 — three-day Whit Sunday weekend
Whit Monday (Pentecost Monday) lands on May 17th in 2027, creating a three-day weekend from Saturday the 15th through Monday the 17th. Note that May 1st — Labor Day — falls on a Saturday that year, so unfortunately it won't extend the weekend on its own.
August 20–22 — three-day late-summer long weekend
A major national public holiday falls on Friday, August 20th in 2027. With the weekend following directly after, this creates a three-day break right at the tail end of summer — a great window for one last warm-weather getaway before the season turns.
October 23–24 — no extended weekend this time
The national public holiday on October 23rd falls on a Saturday in 2027, which means it doesn't automatically generate an extra weekday off. This one won't give you a bonus long weekend, so factor that into your autumn planning.
October 30 – November 1 — three-day All Saints' weekend
All Saints' Day falls on Monday, November 1st in 2027, so after the Saturday and Sunday, you get a third consecutive day off. It's a lovely opportunity for an autumn family outing or a quiet long weekend escape before the holiday season ramps up.
December 24–26 — Christmas holidays
Christmas Day falls on Saturday, December 25th, and Boxing Day on Sunday, December 26th in 2027. Because both public holidays land on weekend days, they don't automatically create a four-day break based on the calendar alone. Whether that changes will depend on the official work schedule regulation for the year.
What about make-up working Saturdays?
In some years, certain public holidays are "moved" to create a longer break — but in exchange, employees are required to work a Saturday to compensate. The exact dates for any such arrangements in 2027 will be confirmed in the official annual work schedule decree. It's worth waiting for that before locking in your plans around those specific dates.
Frequently asked questions
How many long weekends are there in 2027?
Based on the current calendar, 2027 has at least five long weekends of three or more days: New Year's, mid-March, Easter (four days), Whit Monday, August, and All Saints' Day in November.
When is the longest holiday stretch in 2027?
The Easter weekend — running from Good Friday, March 26th to Easter Monday, March 29th — is the longest automatic public holiday stretch of the year, giving four consecutive days off without needing to use any vacation time.
When will make-up working Saturdays for 2027 be announced?
The official work schedule regulation, which confirms any mandatory working Saturdays or moved rest days, is published by the government ahead of the new year. It's best to wait for that before making non-refundable travel bookings tied to those dates.
Is May 1st a long weekend in 2027?
No — Labor Day on May 1st falls on a Saturday in 2027, so it doesn't extend the weekend beyond the usual two days.
