✨ Oh that feeling when you’ve got a brand new calendar, ready to fill with excitement. Twelve expansive blank pages for dreaming up trips, projects, and planning your time off in 2026.
Here’s EXACTLY how to get 57 days off work by taking 24 days of annual leave in 2026 (or 48 days off if you stick to the 20‑day plan).
With a bit of creative scheduling (yes, there’s such a thing), you can take advantage of bank holidays to give yourself some lovely big chunks of time away from work.
Good Tuesday was started on a quest to take a step back, prioritise friendships, and honour them. Celebrate more. Dance more. Because no matter how much you love your work, having adequate time to rest and play can make you a happier, more productive (and fun) person to be around.
And anyway, what’s the point in working hard if you can’t take time to enjoy life with family and friends too, right?
So, would you like to know how to double your holiday allowance for adventuring or relaxing next year using your standard annual leave?
January: New Year’s Reset
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Bank holiday: Thursday 1 January
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Book off: Friday 2 January
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Leave used: 1
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Time off: Thursday 1 – Sunday 4 January → 4 days
Easter Break
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Bank holidays: Friday 3 April, Monday 6 April
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Book off: Monday 30 March – Thursday 2 April
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Leave used: 4
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Time off: Saturday 28 March – Monday 6 April → 10 days
May Options
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Early May: Bank holiday Monday 4 May, book off Tuesday 5 – Friday 8 May → 9 days off (4 leave)
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Spring Bank Holiday: Bank holiday Monday 25 May, book off Tuesday 26 – Friday 29 May → 9 days off (4 leave)
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You can choose one of these (20‑day plan) or take both (24‑day plan).
Summer Bank Holiday
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Bank holiday: Monday 31 August
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Book off: Tuesday 1 – Friday 4 September
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Leave used: 4
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Time off: Saturday 29 August – Sunday 6 September → 9 days
Christmas & New Year
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Bank holidays: Friday 25 December, Monday 28 December
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Book off: Monday 21 – Thursday 24 December and Tuesday 29 – Thursday 31 December
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Leave used: 7
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Time off: Saturday 19 December – Sunday 3 January 2027 → 16 days
Totals
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20‑day plan (choose one May block): 48 days off
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24‑day plan (take both May blocks): 57 days off
| Period | Bank Holidays | Leave Days to Book | Leave Used | Time Off (20‑day plan) | Time Off (24‑day plan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January: New Year’s Reset | Thu 1 Jan | Fri 2 Jan | 1 | 4 days | 4 days |
| Easter Break | Fri 3 Apr, Mon 6 Apr | Mon 30 Mar – Thu 2 Apr | 4 | 10 days | 10 days |
| Early May Bank Holiday | Mon 4 May | Tue 5 – Fri 8 May | 4 | Choose one May block | 9 days |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Mon 25 May | Tue 26 – Fri 29 May | 4 | 9 days | 9 days |
| Summer Bank Holiday | Mon 31 Aug | Tue 1 – Fri 4 Sep | 4 | 9 days | 9 days |
| Christmas & New Year | Fri 25 Dec, Mon 28 Dec | Mon 21 – Thu 24 Dec, Tue 29 – Thu 31 Dec | 7 | 16 days | 16 days |
| Totals | 8 bank holidays | — | 20 days | 48 days off | 57 days off |