Public holiday in United Kingdom
Christmas Day - in lieu in United Kingdom
Monday, December 27, 2027
Nationwide public holiday
Christmas Day (in lieu) is the substitute public holiday used in the United Kingdom when Christmas Day falls on a weekend. In 2027, it is observed nationwide on 27 December.
About Christmas Day - in lieu in United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, Christmas Day (in lieu) is the day off used to make up for Christmas Day when 25 December falls on a Saturday or Sunday. The substitute day is a nationwide public holiday and, in 2027, it falls on 27 December. It sits within the wider Christmas period and is usually treated as part of the late-December holiday break, alongside Boxing Day where that date also becomes a substitute holiday. The day has practical significance because it shifts the public holiday to a weekday, giving many people the chance to observe Christmas away from work.
History
The substitute-holiday system used in the United Kingdom developed to ensure that a public holiday is still observed on a weekday when Christmas Day falls on a weekend. The phrase “in lieu” is used for that replacement day.
Traditions
There are no separate nationwide traditions unique to Christmas Day (in lieu). In practice, people generally follow the same family, religious and festive customs associated with Christmas Day itself, only on the substituted weekday.
How Christmas Day - in lieu is celebrated in United Kingdom
The day is commonly treated as part of the Christmas break rather than as a distinct occasion. Many people spend it with family, continue festive meals and visits, or use it as a day of rest, depending on work schedules and local circumstances.
Interesting facts
When Christmas Day falls on a weekend, the United Kingdom uses a weekday substitute holiday so that the public holiday is not lost. In some years, Boxing Day may also have an equivalent substitute day, creating a longer run of late-December public holidays.