When a Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend: The Rules in 13 Countries
Christmas Day 2027 falls on a Saturday and Boxing Day on a Sunday. Whether you get Monday and Tuesday off instead depends entirely on where you live. Here are the rules in 13 countries, from their official sources.
Key facts
- The US moves a Saturday holiday back to Friday and a Sunday holiday forward to Monday.
- The UK, Australia and New Zealand give substitute weekdays, usually the Monday or Tuesday after.
- South Africa, Kenya and Singapore move only Sunday holidays to Monday.
- Ireland, India and the Philippines do not move holidays at all.
The rules
| Country | Holiday on a Saturday | Holiday on a Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| United States (federal) | Observed the Friday before | Observed the Monday after |
| Canada | Depends on the province and employer; most give the next working day | Next working day; Canada Day moves to July 2 |
| United Kingdom | Substitute weekday (usually Monday) | Substitute weekday (usually Monday) |
| Ireland | No day moved; you get a day off, extra leave or pay | Same |
| Australia | Additional weekday holiday for most fixed holidays (varies by state) | Same |
| New Zealand | Moves to Monday if you don’t normally work Saturdays | Moves to Monday if you don’t normally work Sundays |
| South Africa | Not moved | The Monday after is a holiday |
| Singapore | Not moved (employers give a day off in lieu) | The next day is a holiday |
| India | Not moved | Not moved |
| Philippines | Not moved unless a proclamation says so | Same |
| Nigeria | The government often declares the next working day | Same |
| Kenya | Not moved | The Monday after is a holiday |
| Jamaica | Only Labour Day moves to Monday | Most holidays move to Monday |
What it means for Christmas 2027
In the US, federal workers get Friday, December 24 off. In the UK, Australia, New Zealand and most Canadian workplaces, Christmas moves to Monday, December 27 and Boxing Day to Tuesday, December 28. In Ireland, India and the Philippines there is no extra weekday off.
Counting business days
These rules change the number of working days in a period. Our business days calculator uses the substitute days for your country and region, and every holiday list marks them.
Sources
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management: Federal holidays
- Government of Canada: General holidays (federal)
- GOV.UK: UK bank holidays
- Citizens Information: Public holidays in Ireland
- NSW Government: Public holidays
- Employment New Zealand: Public holidays and anniversary dates
- South African Government: Public holidays
- Ministry of Manpower: Public holidays
- Kenya Law: Public Holidays Act (Cap. 110)
- Jamaica Information Service: Public holidays
