Bank Holidays in the United Kingdom
Complete list of official bank holidays in the United Kingdom for , covering England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Data sourced live from official government records.
Found … public holidays in the United Kingdom for .
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About Bank Holidays in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, public holidays are officially known as bank holidays — a term with historical roots in the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, which designated days on which the Bank of England would be closed. Today, the term covers all statutory days off recognized across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
One of the most important things to understand about UK bank holidays is that each of the four nations has a different set. England and Wales share the same 8 bank holidays, while Scotland observes 9, including 2nd January as an additional New Year holiday. Northern Ireland also observes 10 bank holidays, including St. Patrick's Day (March 17) and the Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen's Day (July 12).
Some of the most distinctive UK bank holidays include Boxing Day on December 26, a uniquely British tradition with origins in the Victorian era when employers would give a "Christmas box" to servants and tradespeople. The August Bank Holiday — the last Monday in August for England and Wales, the first Monday in August for Scotland — is one of the most popular holiday weekends of the year. Spring Bank Holiday on the last Monday in May also creates a popular long weekend.
Regarding pay, there is no statutory right for workers to be paid extra or to have time off on a bank holiday in the UK. Whether you get paid holiday on bank holidays depends entirely on your employment contract. Many contracts include bank holidays in annual leave entitlement, while others offer them as additional paid days. Always check your employment contract for clarity.
The UK occasionally adds extra bank holidays for special national events. For example, extra bank holidays were created for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022 and for King Charles III's coronation in May 2023. These are not regular annual occurrences.
Frequently Asked Questions — UK Bank Holidays
How many bank holidays are in the UK?
The number of bank holidays varies by nation. England and Wales have 8 bank holidays per year. Scotland has 9, including 2 January as an additional New Year holiday. Northern Ireland has 10, including St. Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne. Occasional extra bank holidays are proclaimed for significant national events such as royal coronations or jubilees.
Does Scotland have different bank holidays?
Yes. Scotland has its own distinct bank holiday schedule. Key differences include 2 January (an additional New Year holiday not observed in England and Wales), and Scotland does not observe the August Bank Holiday on the same date as England and Wales — instead Scotland observes it on the first Monday in August, rather than the last. Good Friday is a bank holiday in England and Wales but not a statutory bank holiday in Scotland.
Is Boxing Day a bank holiday?
Yes, Boxing Day (December 26) is a bank holiday across all four nations of the United Kingdom. It is one of the most celebrated holiday periods in the UK, often associated with shopping sales, football matches, and family gatherings. If Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, substitute bank holidays are given on the nearest weekday.
Are bank holidays paid in the UK?
There is no automatic legal right to paid time off on bank holidays in the UK. Your entitlement depends on what your employment contract says. Many workers do receive bank holidays as paid days off — either included within their statutory minimum annual leave (5.6 weeks) or as additional days on top of it. Part-time workers have a pro-rata entitlement. Always check your contract and speak to your employer if unclear.
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