Is There a Holiday in the UK Today?

The United Kingdom observes a mix of fixed and moving holidays, often referred to as “bank holidays.” Understanding which days are designated as holidays can be tricky, especially with the variations between England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. This guide clarifies the different types of UK holidays and provides resources to determine if today is a holiday.

Fixed holidays, like Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, always fall on the same date. However, some significant dates, like Good Friday and Easter Monday, change annually based on the lunar calendar.

There are also traditional observances that are not official bank holidays, such as:

These dates might be culturally significant but don’t guarantee a day off work or school.

The term “bank holiday” originated from the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, which specified days when banks could close. While the legislation has evolved into the Banking and Financial Dealings Act, the concept of bank holidays persists. Essentially, a bank holiday is a non-working day for financial institutions that isn’t already a designated public holiday. This practice exists in other countries but might not be called a “bank holiday.” The TARGET2 system, a European payment network, dictates non-transfer days across the EU and beyond.

Many countries observe bank holidays on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, even though they aren’t official public holidays. In the UK, the term “bank holiday” is commonly used even for traditional holidays. For example, “May Day” is often called “Early May Bank Holiday.” The truly additional bank holidays are:

• Spring Bank Holiday: First Monday in May
• Summer Bank Holiday: Last Monday in August in England and Wales; First Monday in September in Scotland. This is sometimes referred to as the “August Bank Holiday.”

To determine if today is a UK bank holiday, consult the official government website or a reliable calendar resource that provides up-to-date information, including regional variations. Knowing the specific dates of bank holidays allows for better planning and understanding of potential closures or reduced services. Remember to check specific regions, as bank holidays can differ between England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

The following table outlines the moving holiday dates for the upcoming years: