UK Bank Holidays and UK Public Holidays

Aztec calendar stone
National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales enjoy similar sets of bank holidays every year. Some are celebrated in all four countries, and some are only celebrated in one or more countries.

We all think of bank holidays and public holidays as being the same, and often use the terms interchangeably. However, there is a difference: bank holidays are those holidays when banks and some other businesses are closed, and public holidays are those holidays that have become established through common practice.

Many tourist attractions hold special events on bank holidays, but check your travel arrangements because some train and bus companies offer a reduced service.

Bank holidays in England and Wales

England and Wales celebrate the same eight bank holidays every year:
  • New Year's Day
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Monday
  • May Day Bank Holiday
  • Spring Bank Holiday
  • Summer Bank Holiday
  • Christmas Day
  • Boxing Day

Bank holidays in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland  celebrate 10 bank holidays every year. These include the same eight as England and Wales, with two that are unique to Northern Ireland:
  • New Year's Day
  • St. Patrick's Day
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Monday
  • May Day Bank Holiday
  • Spring Bank Holiday
  • Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day)
  • Summer Bank Holiday
  • Christmas Day
  • Boxing Day

Bank holidays in Scotland

Scotland celebrates eight bank holidays every year. Six are common with England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with two that are unique to Scotland:
  • New Year's Day
  • 2nd January Bank Holiday
  • Good Friday
  • May Day Bank Holiday
  • Spring Bank Holiday
  • Early Simmer Bank Holiday
  • Christmas Day
  • Boxing Day

New Year's Day

New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1 every year, unless that is a weekend day when it is moved to the following Monday. Consequently, it can be celebrated on January 1, 2, or 3.

2nd January Bank Holiday

The 2nd January bank holiday is only celebrated in Scotland. It falls on the first weekday after New Year's Day. Consequently,  it can be celebrated on January 2, 3, or 4.

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17 every year, unless that is a weekend day when it is moved to the following Monday. Consequently, it can be celebrated on March 17, 18, or 19.

Good Friday

Good Friday is celebrated on the Friday immediately before Easter Sunday every year. As the date for Easter Sunday varies each year, so does the date for Good Friday. Easter Sunday is known as a movable feast, and can fall between March 22 and April 25. Consequently, Good Friday can be celebrated between March 20 and April 23.

Easter Monday

Easter Monday, which is not observed in Scotland, is celebrated on the Monday immediately after Easter Sunday every year. As the date for Easter Sunday varies each year, falling between March 22 and April 25, so does the date for Easter Monday. Consequently, Easter Monday can be celebrated between March 23 and April 26.

May Day Bank Holiday

The May Day bank holiday is celebrated on the first Monday of May every year. Consequently, it can be celebrated anywhere from the May 1 to May 7.

Spring Bank Holiday

The Spring bank holiday is celebrated on the last Monday of May every year. Consequently, it can be celebrated anywhere from the May 25 to May 31.

Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day)

The Battle of the Boyne bank holiday, which is only observed in Northern Ireland, is celebrated on July 12 every year, unless that date falls on a weekend when it is moved to the following Monday. Consequently, it can be celebrated on July 12, 13, or 14.

Early Summer Bank Holiday

The Early summer bank holiday, which is only observed in Scotland, is celebrated on the first Monday in August every year. Consequently, it be celebrated anywhere from August 1 to August 7.

Summer Bank Holiday

The Summer bank holiday, which is not observed in Scotland, is celebrated on the last Monday in August every year. Consequently, it can be celebrated anywhere from August 25 to August 31.

St. Andrew's Day

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on November 30 every year, unless that is a weekend day when it is moved to the following Monday. Consequently, it can be celebrated on November 30, December 1, or December 2.

Christmas Day Bank Holiday

The Christmas Day bank holiday is celebrated on December every year, unless that date falls on a weekend when it is moved to the following Monday. Consequently, it can be celebrated on December 25, 26, or 27.

Boxing Day Bank Holiday

The Boxing Day bank holiday is celebrated on the first weekday after the Christmas Day bank holiday. Consequently it be celebrated on December 26, 27, or 28.

UK Bank Holidays Dates for 2017

  • New Year's Day: January 2
  • 2nd January Bank Holiday: January 3
  • St. Patrick's Day: March 17
  • Good Friday: April 14
  • Easter Monday: April 17
  • May Day Bank Holiday: May 1
  • Spring Bank Holiday: May 29
  • Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day): July 12
  • Early Summer Bank Holiday: August 7
  • Summer Bank Holiday: August 28
  • St. Andrew's Day: November 30
  • Christmas Day: December 25
  • Boxing Day: December 26

UK Bank Holidays Dates for 2016

  • New Year's Day: January 1
  • 2nd January Bank Holiday: January 2
  • St. Patrick's Day: March 17
  • Good Friday: March 25
  • Easter Monday: March 28
  • May Day Bank Holiday: May 2
  • Spring Bank Holiday: May 30
  • Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day): July 12
  • Early Summer Bank Holiday: August 1
  • Summer Bank Holiday: August 29
  • St. Andrew's Day: November 30
  • Christmas Day: December 27 (substitute day)
  • Boxing Day: December 26

UK Bank Holidays Dates for 2015

  • New Year's Day: January 1
  • 2nd January Bank Holiday: January 2
  • St. Patrick's Day: March 17
  • Good Friday: April 3
  • Easter Monday: April 6
  • May Day Bank Holiday: May 4
  • Spring Bank Holiday: May 25
  • Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day): July 13
  • Early Summer Bank Holiday: August 3
  • Summer Bank Holiday: August 31
  • St. Andrew's Day: November 30
  • Christmas Day: December 25
  • Boxing Day: December 28