UK Bank Holidays 2027: Long Weekends and When to Visit Antalya

Every new year begins with the same small ritual. The calendar comes out, the bank holidays are circled, and the question of where the long weekends fall quietly shapes the months ahead. A bank holiday that lands on a Monday becomes a three-day escape almost by itself; one that falls on a weekend simply disappears. For travellers from England and Wales, 2027 is a well-structured year: every spring and summer bank holiday falls on a Monday, and the spring bank holiday once again sits next to the May half term.

We have prepared this guide to bring the 2027 bank holidays together in one table and to show, for each of them, how a few days of annual leave can turn a long weekend into a proper holiday. For those planning around Antalya's Side and Okurcalar coastlines, we have also described what the sea and the weather are like during those weeks, how the Turkish holiday calendar affects the resort, and which of our hotels suits which kind of break.

UK Bank Holidays 2027: The Complete List

England and Wales have eight bank holidays in 2027. Because Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on a Saturday and a Sunday, both are replaced by substitute days on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December. The table below shows each date, how long the natural break is, and how annual leave could extend it.

Read against Antalya's season, the table points to three clear windows. The May bank holidays fall in the calm, bright opening weeks of the season. The August bank holiday marks the height of summer, when the sea is at its warmest. Easter and Christmas, by contrast, fall outside the beach season, which shapes how they are best used.

Easter 2027: Early Spring, Before the Season

Easter comes early in 2027. Good Friday is on 26 March and Easter Monday on 29 March, which gives a four-day weekend without any leave, and ten days with four days of leave taken between 30 March and 2 April. It is an attractive window for a city break or a cultural journey. On the Turkish Riviera, however, late March is early spring: the days are mild and pleasant for walking, but the beach season has not yet begun.

Kirman Premium's hotels opened their 2026 season on 1 April, as we announced in our new season news. The 2027 opening dates have not yet been announced, so we do not recommend planning a beach stay with us around Easter. The ancient cities of Perge and Aspendos are, however, at their most comfortable in spring, and our guide to Antalya's ancient cities is a good place to start for later in the season.

The Two May Bank Holidays: The Season's Finest Weeks

The early May bank holiday falls on Monday 3 May, creating a natural three-day weekend from 1 to 3 May. With four days of leave from 4 to 7 May, it becomes a nine-day holiday running to Sunday 9 May. Four weeks later, the spring bank holiday on Monday 31 May opens the second window. In many areas the May half term follows in the same week; the Royal Borough of Greenwich, for example, has set it for 31 May to 4 June 2027. Families whose children are off school that week can therefore enjoy nine days from Saturday 29 May to Sunday 6 June with four days of leave.

May is one of the most balanced months on this coastline. The days are warm and bright, the grounds are calm, and the sea warms steadily, averaging 21.4°C over the month according to Turkey's State Meteorological Service. Our guide to May in Antalya looks at this period in detail. For families with young children, Heated Pool for Kichies closes the gap: outside the period of 15 May to 16 October, children's pools are heated to 28°C.

One date deserves particular attention. In 2027 the Turkish Feast of the Sacrifice (Kurban Bayramı) falls on 16-19 May, with its eve on Saturday 15 May. The same week, Germany celebrates Whitsun on 16 and 17 May and schools in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria begin their Whitsun holidays on 18 May. Turkish and German families will therefore be on the coast at the same time, making mid-May one of the busiest weeks of the early season. Guests who prefer the calmer weeks may find the early May bank holiday or the spring bank holiday more relaxed. Our 2027 early booking guide looks at all of these busy weeks in more depth.

Summer Holidays and the August Bank Holiday

School summer holidays in England and Wales usually begin around 21 to 23 July, depending on the council. The end of July and the first half of August are the weeks when British, German and Turkish families are all on holiday at once, which is why family rooms and sea-view rooms are the first to be reserved for this period. Our early summer family guide offers practical ideas for families who can travel before the peak.

The summer bank holiday falls on Monday 30 August 2027, giving a three-day weekend from 28 to 30 August, or nine days with four days of leave from 31 August to 3 September. August is the month in which the sea on the Antalya coast reaches its warmest level of the year, around 28-29°C on average; our August sea temperature and weather guide covers the details. Summer evenings at Kirman Premium are also known for music, as our Stars of 2026 programme showed, and our guide to things to do in Antalya in August lists the month's wider highlights. In 2026 the night museum programme at Side and Aspendos ran from 1 June to 1 October; we described the experience in Ancient Cities by Moonlight. The 2027 programme will be updated once announced.

September and the October Half Term

There are no bank holidays between the end of August and Christmas, yet this is one of the most rewarding periods on the Turkish Riviera. In September, the sea stays at 27-28°C and the resort grows calmer once schools return; our guides to September in Antalya and things to do in September explain why.

October half term usually falls in the last week of the month; the 2027 dates are set by each council. According to data from Turkey's State Meteorological Service for 1991-2020, Antalya in October averages highs of 27.3°C and lows of 15.9°C, with the sea around 25-26°C. Our October weather guide sets out the figures, and our October half term family guide describes the experience with children. In 2027, Turkey's Republic Day falls on Friday 29 October, creating a long weekend for Turkish guests at the same time; we explored this in our Republic Day 2026 guide.

Christmas and New Year

Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on a Saturday and a Sunday in 2027, so the substitute bank holidays move to Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December. With three days of leave from 29 to 31 December, the break extends to nine days, running to Sunday 2 January 2028. New Year's Day 2027 itself falls on a Friday and begins the year with a three-day weekend. Both periods fall outside our beach season, and they are best used for city or winter holidays, leaving the Mediterranean for the spring and summer bank holidays.

Which Hotel for a Long Weekend?

On a short break, the choice of hotel matters even more than on a long summer holiday. Travel time should be short and the holiday should begin on the first evening. Kirman Premium's five hotels are spread across two distinct stretches of coast: Sidemarin and Calyptus in the Side area are close to the ancient city and the lively surroundings of Manavgat, while Sidera, Arycanda and Leodikya in Okurcalar sit along a calmer, broader shoreline. Our guide Side vs Alanya compares the two areas, and How to Get to Antalya covers flights and transfers.

Okurcalar

Leodikya Kirman Premium

Mega aquapark - Check24 award winner - Family rooms

A strong choice for the half-term weeks and the summer holidays. Its mega aquapark makes even a short break feel full for children.

Discover the Hotel →

Okurcalar

Sidera Kirman Premium

Premium - Private pier - Romantic and tranquil

A natural choice for couples seeking a calm escape over a May bank holiday weekend. Its private pier brings the best hours of the day out over the sea.

Learn More →

Side

Sidemarin Kirman Premium

Family friendly - Walking distance to the ancient city

Ideal for families who want to combine a spring or autumn break with culture. Being within walking distance of ancient Side makes evening strolls part of the holiday.

Explore Now →

Calyptus Kirman Premium, loved by families for its aquapark and cinema hall, and Arycanda Kirman Premium, renewed in 2024-2025 and set close to nature, are also well worth considering. Our five-hotel comparison places all of them side by side.

Some privileges are a permanent part of our concept. Under Premium For Kichies, two children up to 12.99 years stay free, complemented by the Kichi Kids Bag at check-in, the Kichi Bar and Play & Stay. Families with babies can rely on the Baby Star package. Couples may explore Premium Honeymoon, while guests looking for an active break will find Premium Sports & Wellness a good fit. Free transfer is currently available for bookings made through our official website; the 2027 conditions will be confirmed with the campaign announcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bank holidays are there in the UK in 2027?

England and Wales have eight bank holidays in 2027: 1 January, 26 March, 29 March, 3 May, 31 May, 30 August, 27 December and 28 December. Christmas Day and Boxing Day move to substitute days because 25 and 26 December fall on a weekend.

When is the May half term 2027?

In many areas the May half term runs in the week of the spring bank holiday; the Royal Borough of Greenwich, for example, has set 31 May to 4 June 2027. Dates vary by council, so please check your own school's calendar.

When is the best bank holiday in 2027 for a holiday in Antalya?

The two May bank holidays and the August bank holiday fall within the beach season. May offers calm, bright weeks with the sea averaging 21.4°C, while August brings the warmest sea of the year at around 28-29°C.

Is Easter 2027 a good time for a beach holiday in Antalya?

Easter 2027 falls on 26-29 March, which is early spring on the Turkish Riviera. The weather suits sightseeing, but the beach season has not yet started. Kirman Premium's 2027 opening dates have not been announced; in 2026 the season opened on 1 April.

Which Turkish holidays affect hotel availability in 2027?

The Feast of the Sacrifice on 16-19 May 2027, which coincides with the German Whitsun holidays, and Republic Day on Friday 29 October are the Turkish holidays most likely to bring busier weeks to the coast.

If your 2027 plans are taking shape, simply share your dates and wishes with us, and we will be glad to help you find the right hotel and room type for your break. Current offers can be found on our offers page, and all of our hotels on our homepage.

Photos: Kirman Premium archive.