How to use this
Every event below has a Plan my leave around it link. It opens the holiday planner with that date filled in, then shows the cheapest ways to be off for it on your own work pattern, from one day of leave up to a full week.
Dates marked as expected can still move, so check them again before you book anything you can't change.
November 2026
- Grand Theft Auto VI launch · Thu 19 Nov 2026 · Game launch
PS5 and Xbox Series X|S (PC later). Rockstar and Take-Two have confirmed Thursday 19 November 2026. It has moved before, so check again before you book.
How to get it off: Book the Thursday and Friday and you get four days in a row for two days of leave. On a rota, swapping one shift is often enough. Plan my leave around it
December 2026
- Avengers: Doomsday in cinemas · Wed 16 Dec 2026 · Film release
UK cinemas. Opens in the UK on Wednesday 16 December 2026, two days before the US.
How to get it off: It lands in the busiest week for leave requests. Ask now, or take the Wednesday evening off and save your leave for Christmas. Plan my leave around it - Christmas 2026 · Fri 25 Dec – Mon 28 Dec 2026 · Holidays
Bank holidays on Fri 25 and Mon 28 December. Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, so the bank holiday moves to Monday 28 December.
How to get it off: Three days of leave can give you ten days off in a row. Plan my leave around it · Full guide - New Year’s Eve · Thu 31 Dec 2026 · Holidays
Thursday 31 December 2026. New Year’s Day, Friday 1 January 2027, is a bank holiday across the UK. In Scotland, 2 January moves to Monday 4 January.
How to get it off: A late shift on New Year’s Eve often pays a premium. Check your contract before you give it away. Plan my leave around it
February 2027
- Six Nations 2027 · Fri 5 Feb – Sat 13 Mar 2027 · Sport
Opens in Dublin, ends at Twickenham. Opens with Ireland v England in Dublin on Friday 5 February (8:10pm kick-off) and ends on Super Saturday, 13 March, with England v Scotland at Twickenham.
How to get it off: Most matches are at weekends. The Friday-night opener is the one to book off if you work evenings. Plan my leave around it
March 2027
- Eid al-Fitr · Tue 9 Mar 2027 · Religious festivals · date expected, not confirmed
Across the UK. Expected around Tuesday 9 March 2027. The exact day depends on the moon sighting, so it can be a day later.
How to get it off: Book both possible days, or agree with your manager that you can swap at short notice. Plan my leave around it - Easter 2027 · Fri 26 Mar – Mon 29 Mar 2027 · Holidays
Good Friday 26 March and Easter Monday 29 March. Easter Monday is a bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not in Scotland.
How to get it off: Book the four days after Easter Monday and you get ten days off for four days of leave. Plan my leave around it
April 2027
- Grand National · Sat 10 Apr 2027 · Sport
Aintree, Liverpool (festival 8–10 April). The race is at 4pm on Saturday 10 April 2027. The festival starts on the Thursday.
How to get it off: Going to the races? Ladies Day is the Friday, so that’s the day most people book. Plan my leave around it
May 2027
- FA Cup Final · Sat 22 May 2027 · Sport
Wembley Stadium. Saturday 22 May 2027, the week before the late May bank holiday.
How to get it off: A Saturday final means a long day travelling. The Friday before and the Monday after are the ones to book. Plan my leave around it
June 2027
- Glastonbury Festival · Wed 23 Jun – Sun 27 Jun 2027 · Music & festivals
Worthy Farm, Somerset. Back after the 2026 fallow year, from Wednesday 23 to Sunday 27 June 2027.
How to get it off: Three days of leave covers Wednesday to Friday. Add the Monday after to recover. Plan my leave around it
June 2028
- Euro 2028 (UK and Ireland) · Fri 9 Jun – Sun 9 Jul 2028 · Sport
Opener in Cardiff, final at Wembley. Runs from 9 June to 9 July 2028, with matches in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The match schedule by team comes after the draw.
How to get it off: Every employer will get leave requests for the same match days. Book as soon as your team’s fixtures are out. Plan my leave around it
Getting leave for a big day
- Ask early. When everyone wants the same day, most workplaces go first come, first served.
- By law (unless your contract says otherwise) you give notice of twice the length of the leave, and your employer can refuse with notice as long as the leave.
- On a rota, look for a swap before you use leave. A colleague who wants a different day off is the cheapest way to get yours.
- Holiday pay on irregular hours builds up at 12.07% of the hours you work, so check how much you have before you plan.
Never miss the next one
Log each shift as you finish it in Shiftaan and you'll always know which ones are still unpaid. Start free, no card needed.
Common questions
Can I book a day off for a game or film release?
Yes. It's annual leave like any other. You don't have to give a reason, but you do need to give enough notice and your employer can refuse.
Can my employer refuse leave for an event?
Yes. Unless your contract says otherwise, they can refuse by giving you notice at least as long as the leave you asked for. Asking early is the best way to avoid that.
Why are some dates marked as expected?
Some dates depend on things that can change, like a moon sighting or a launch that's still on track. We mark those so you know to check again before you book.