Complete month-by-month breakdown of UK bank holidays in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland including regional differences.
Public holidays across the United Kingdom are commonly referred to as bank holidays, and they are an essential part of British work culture, family life, and tradition. Every year, millions adjust their calendars around these dates for everything from school breaks to public events.
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland share several of these holidays, but each country also observes its own unique cultural celebrations. From Good Friday to Boxing Day, these official days off impact transport, public services, retail operations, and work schedules. Employers and employees alike rely on this calendar to plan ahead for annual leave, business operations, and civic activities.
Understanding the bank holiday calendar helps in avoiding last-minute disruptions, especially for travel plans and workplace schedules. Knowing when these holidays fall—and how they vary by region—ensures better productivity, family engagement, and cultural connection.
January
New Year’s Day (January 1) Observed across all four nations of the UK. Offices, schools, and most businesses remain closed.
March
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) – Northern Ireland Honors Ireland’s patron saint. Celebrated with parades and cultural events. It's an official bank holiday only in Northern Ireland.
Mothering Sunday (Fourth Sunday in Lent) Widely observed across the UK, although not an official bank holiday. Many families gather for special meals or gift-giving.
April
Good Friday (Date Varies) A Christian observance marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Recognized as a bank holiday throughout the UK.
Easter Monday (Date Varies) Observed in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Not a bank holiday in Scotland.
May
Early May Bank Holiday (First Monday in May) Often referred to as May Day, this is a nationwide celebration except in Scotland, where it is recognized under a slightly different name and tradition.
Spring Bank Holiday (Last Monday in May) Observed in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland typically observes its own version on a different date.
June
The Queen’s Official Birthday (Usually second Saturday in June) Although not a bank holiday, this event features the ceremonial Trooping the Colour parade in London. Recognized nationally as a significant royal occasion.
July
Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) (July 12) – Northern Ireland Marks the 1690 victory of Protestant King William over Catholic King James. An official public holiday in Northern Ireland.
August
Summer Bank Holiday
- First Monday in August – Scotland
- Last Monday in August – England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
This holiday offers a late-summer break, widely used for festivals, travel, or family leisure time.
November
Remembrance Day (November 11) Although not a bank holiday, two minutes of silence are observed at 11 a.m. to honor military service members lost in conflicts. Red poppies are commonly worn throughout the month.
St. Andrew’s Day (November 30) – Scotland Scotland’s national day. Recognized as an official bank holiday in Scotland only.
December
Christmas Day (December 25) Observed throughout the UK. A deeply rooted cultural and religious holiday with widespread closures and family-focused events.
Boxing Day (December 26) Celebrated across all four UK countries, often with shopping, sports events, and additional family gatherings.
When Holidays Fall on a Weekend
If a public holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday, the UK typically designates the following Monday as a "substitute day" off. This ensures that employees still benefit from the holiday, even when it conflicts with their weekend.
Regional Differences at a Glance
| Holiday | England & Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| Good Friday | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| Easter Monday | Bank Holiday | Not a Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| Early May Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday | May Day Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday | Different Date | Bank Holiday |
| Summer Bank Holiday | Last Monday Aug | First Monday Aug | Last Monday Aug |
| St. Patrick’s Day | Not Holiday | Not Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| Battle of the Boyne | Not Holiday | Not Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| Christmas Day | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| Boxing Day | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday |
Key Observations for Planning
UK residents often arrange travel, school terms, and work events around the bank holiday calendar. Employers may also adjust deadlines, business hours, and customer service availability during these periods. For example, couriers and postal services usually slow down during Easter and Christmas.
Those working with international clients may find UK-specific holidays useful when managing deadlines or meetings across time zones. Recognizing dates like St. Andrew’s Day in Scotland or St. Patrick’s Day in Northern Ireland allows better cultural alignment in business relationships.
Bank holidays also drive local tourism. Coastal towns, heritage sites, and countryside accommodations see a spike in visits during long weekends, particularly during the May and August breaks.
Conclusion
Whether you're arranging annual leave, managing payroll cycles, or organizing a family event, understanding the regional differences in UK bank holidays helps avoid last-minute surprises. Each date holds its own meaning, from religious observance to cultural pride, reflecting the UK’s complex history and national character.
For the official and most up-to-date listing of UK bank holidays, including regional variances and substitute days, visit the UK Government’s official public holiday calendar. The site also includes downloadable calendars and future planning tools.
Travelers and employers can align plans more efficiently when factoring in regional schedules. Whether running a business, working in HR, or managing school terms, referencing the official calendar ensures compliance and coordination across departments or regions.
Bank holidays are more than days off—they are symbolic pauses that unite citizens, reinforce traditions, and support work-life balance across the United Kingdom.
Here are FAQs about UK Bank Holidays by Month and Region Explained, designed to give detailed, informative insights into how bank holidays work across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
1. What are UK bank holidays and how do they differ across the four nations?
Bank holidays in the UK are public holidays established by custom and legislation, during which banks and most businesses close, and employees are typically given time off. However, not all bank holidays are observed uniformly across the UK. The United Kingdom is made up of four nations—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, each with its own set of holidays in addition to shared national ones.
For example:
- England and Wales share the same bank holidays.
- Scotland observes several different bank holidays, such as St. Andrew’s Day and 2nd January, and does not celebrate Easter Monday.
- Northern Ireland includes unique holidays like St. Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day).
The differences reflect cultural, religious, and historical distinctions. While the government sets bank holidays, employers aren’t legally required to give these days off, and in sectors like healthcare, retail, or emergency services, work continues as usual.
2. How are UK bank holidays distributed by month across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland?
Bank holidays are scattered across the calendar year, but their distribution and frequency vary by nation. Here's a general breakdown by month and region:
January:
- New Year’s Day (All UK)
- 2nd January (Scotland only)
March/April (dates vary due to Easter):
- Good Friday (All UK)
- Easter Monday (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)
May:
- Early May Bank Holiday (All UK)
- Spring Bank Holiday (Late May) (All UK)
June:
- Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen’s Day (12 July) (Northern Ireland only)
August:
- Summer Bank Holiday (first Monday) (Scotland only)
- Summer Bank Holiday (last Monday) (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)
November:
- St. Andrew’s Day (30 November) (Scotland only)
December:
- Christmas Day (All UK)
- Boxing Day (All UK)
Note: If Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday (usually the following Monday or Tuesday) becomes the official holiday. The same applies for New Year’s Day.
3. Why do Scotland and Northern Ireland have different bank holidays from England and Wales?
The variation in bank holidays across the UK’s nations is deeply rooted in historical, religious, and cultural traditions unique to each country. Scotland and Northern Ireland, for example, have different historical figures, religious milestones, and political events that shape their public calendar.
In Scotland, the 2nd of January is an important part of the extended Hogmanay (New Year) celebrations, while St. Andrew’s Day is the national saint’s day. Scotland also doesn't observe Easter Monday, making its holiday calendar quite distinct.
In Northern Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) is a significant religious and cultural celebration, while Orangemen’s Day (July 12) marks the Battle of the Boyne, a Protestant celebration of victory over Catholic forces in 1690.
These unique dates reflect each nation's heritage and identity, and while they’re not UK-wide holidays, they are legally recognized within their respective regions.
4. What happens when a UK bank holiday falls on a weekend?
When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the UK assigns a “substitute” bank holiday to the next available weekday, usually Monday. This ensures that workers still benefit from the public holiday. For instance:
- If Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, Monday 26th December becomes Boxing Day, and Tuesday 27th December becomes the substitute for Christmas Day.
- If New Year’s Day lands on a Saturday, Monday 3rd January will typically be the substitute holiday.
The official UK government website updates the holiday calendar each year, specifying which days are substitutes. Employers usually align their schedules with these changes, though some industries may not observe substitute holidays, depending on contract terms or operational needs.
5. Are employers required to give employees paid time off on UK bank holidays?
No, UK employers are not legally required to give paid time off on bank holidays, unless it’s explicitly stated in the employee’s contract or collective agreement. Bank holidays are statutory holidays, but statutory paid leave in the UK is calculated as a total of 28 days per year, which can include bank holidays.
Some companies offer bank holidays as additional days off, while others incorporate them into the overall annual leave allowance. Employers in sectors such as retail, healthcare, transport, and hospitality often require staff to work on bank holidays, though compensation may include overtime pay, time off in lieu, or bonuses, depending on the employer’s policy.
For public sector workers or office jobs, bank holidays are typically observed with a paid day off. However, employment contracts and union agreements remain the definitive source for what each worker is entitled to.
Major Public (Bank) Holidays in the UK by Month
January
- New Year’s Day (January 1) — England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
- St. Andrew’s Day (November 30) — Scotland (public holiday)
March
- St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) — Northern Ireland (public holiday)
- Mothering Sunday (date varies, 4th Sunday of Lent) — Not a public holiday but widely celebrated
April
- Good Friday (date varies) — England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
- Easter Monday (date varies) — England, Wales, Northern Ireland (not Scotland)
- Early May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May) — All UK except Scotland (Scotland has a May Day holiday)
- May Day / Spring Bank Holiday — Scotland observes a May Day holiday (first Monday in May)
May
- Spring Bank Holiday / Late May Bank Holiday (last Monday in May) — England, Wales, Northern Ireland; Scotland observes a different day for Spring Bank Holiday
June
- Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) (July 12) — Northern Ireland (public holiday)
- Queen’s Official Birthday / Trooping the Colour (usually June, second Saturday) — Not a public holiday but significant event
August
- Summer Bank Holiday (first Monday in August) — Scotland
- Summer Bank Holiday (last Monday in August) — England, Wales, Northern Ireland
November
- Remembrance Day (November 11) — Observed but not a public holiday
- St. Andrew’s Day (November 30) — Scotland (public holiday)
December
- Christmas Day (December 25) — All UK
- Boxing Day (December 26) — All UK
Summary by Region:
| Holiday | England & Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| Good Friday | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| Easter Monday | Bank Holiday | Not a Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| Early May Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday | May Day Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday | Different Date | Bank Holiday |
| Summer Bank Holiday | Last Monday Aug | First Monday Aug | Last Monday Aug |
| St. Patrick’s Day | Not Holiday | Not Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| Battle of the Boyne | Not Holiday | Not Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| Christmas Day | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| Boxing Day | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday |
Notes:
- When a holiday falls on a weekend, the "substitute" weekday is usually given off (often the following Monday).
- Scotland has some unique holidays and different dates for common holidays.
- Northern Ireland has additional holidays linked to its cultural and religious history.
- Bank Holidays are statutory public holidays, but there are other important observances not official holidays.
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