
There are seven bank holidays common to all jurisdictions: New Year's Day, Good Friday, the early May bank holiday A bank holiday is a national public holiday in the United Kingdom. These are set by the UK parliament in statute law. The term bank holiday is commonly used interchangeably with other public holidays such as Good Friday and Christmas Day, which are held by convention. The term refers to all public holidays in the United Kingdom be they set out in statute, declared by royal proclamation o… In the United Kingdom, public holidays are days on which most businesses and non-essential services are closed, although an increasing number of retail businesses do open on some of the public holidays. There are restrictions on trading on Sundays and Christmas Day in England and Wales and on New Year's Day and Christmas Day in Scotland. Legally defined holidays, analogous to "public holidays" i…Bank holiday
Public holidays in the United Kingdom
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and is a holiday in some countries. Easter Monday in the Western Christian liturgical calendar is the second day of Eastertide and analogously in the Byzantine Rite is the second day of Bright Week.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland, variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares a border to the south and west with the Republic of Ireland. In 2011, its population was 1,810,863, constituting about 30…
Full Answer
What is the next bank holiday in the UK?
UK bank holiday dates 2021/2022
- Tuesday, November 30 – St Andrew’s Day (Scotland only)
- Monday, December 27 – Christmas Day (substitute day)
- Tuesday, December 28 – Boxing Day (substitute day)
- Monday, January 3 – New Year’s Day (substitute day)
- Tuesday, January 4 – January 2nd (substitute day, Scotland only)
- Thursday, March 17 – St Patrick’s Day ( Northern Ireland only)
Is there a bank holiday in the UK?
Bank holidays in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in 2022 are: A bank holiday is a public holiday in the UK when most people are given an extra day off work. They were given the name bank holidays as banks are closed - and if they can't ...
Why do we have bank holidays?
- To promote the study of Science, both in Secondary and Primary Schools
- To quicken the repayment of the National Debt
- To secure some additional holidays, and to shorten the hours of labour in shops
What holidays are celebrated in UK?
Holidays are ample in England. In addition, a year brings a dozen of major competitions, celebrations and other reasons for festivities in England. However, the major holidays in England are during the Christmas season in winter. Christmas is celebrated on December 25th every year.

What does bank holiday mean in UK?
A bank holiday is a national public holiday in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and the Crown dependencies. The term refers to all public holidays in the United Kingdom, be they set out in statute, declared by royal proclamation or held by convention under common law.
Why do Brits call it a bank holiday?
In the United Kingdom and Ireland a bank holiday is a public holiday, when banks and many other businesses are closed for the day. Bank holidays are often assumed to be so called because they are days upon which banks are shut, but days that banks are shut aren't always bank holidays.
What is the point of a bank holiday?
A bank holiday is a business day during which financial institutions are closed. Bank holidays are most relevant for physical branch locations because many online banking services continue to operate.
What's the difference between a bank holiday and a public holiday UK?
Bank holidays are holidays when banks and many other businesses are closed for the day. Public Holidays are holidays which have been observed through custom and practice, such as Christmas Day.
What is bank holiday called in America?
The United States doesn't actually have “bank holidays.” What most people refer to with the term are federal holidays. These are specific days of the year in which federal government employees do not work.
How many bank holidays are there in the UK?
eight bank holidaysMost of the UK has eight bank holidays per year: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, May Day, late May bank holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Northern Ireland and Scotland have additional public holidays: Orangemen's Day, St Andrew's Day and St Patrick's Day.
Why is it called Boxing Day UK?
Find out where the national holiday gets its name from. Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated in the UK on 26th December, the day after Christmas Day – but why is it called Boxing Day? Traditionally, Boxing Day was used by the rich in Victorian times to box up items they no longer needed to give to the poor.
Why do they call it Boxing Day?
The name comes from a time when the rich used to box up gifts to give to the poor. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants - a day when they received a special Christmas box from their masters. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give Christmas boxes to their families.
How many bank holidays do Americans have?
As of June 2021, there are eleven annual federal holidays in the United States, and one additional quadrennial holiday (Inauguration Day).
What is the difference between a bank holiday and a statutory holiday?
The term “bank” holiday is used interchangeably with “public” holiday. For all practical purposes there is no difference. There is, however, an academic difference between bank holidays derived from statute and public holidays at common law (such as Christmas Day in England and Wales).
How many bank holidays are there in 2022 UK?
nine publicThe UK will have nine public holidays in 2022, usually there are eight, but there will be an added one to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The public holidays, or bank holidays, are celebrated throughout the year on religious, historical, and special occasions.
What is the difference between public holiday and national holiday?
When we find the difference between Public Holidays, we can see that all national Holidays are Public Holidays but all public holidays are not National Holidays. For example, Christmas is a Public Holiday but it is not a national holiday because it is connected with a religious faith.
When did New Year's day become a bank holiday in England?
19741974 - New Year's Day became an additional bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and Boxing Day became an additional bank holiday in Scotland. 1978 - the first Monday in May in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the last Monday in May in Scotland, became additional bank holidays.
What is British Boxing Day?
Boxing Day, in Great Britain and some Commonwealth countries, particularly Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, holiday (December 26) on which servants, tradespeople, and the poor traditionally were presented with gifts. By the 21st century it had become a day associated with shopping and sporting events.
When did Boxing Day become a bank holiday?
1974Boxing Day was officially recognised as a bank holiday in England, Northern Ireland and Wales in 1871 and in Scotland it was recognised as an official bank holiday in 1974.
Why is called Boxing Day?
The name comes from a time when the rich used to box up gifts to give to the poor. Boxing Day was traditionally a day off for servants - a day when they received a special Christmas box from their masters. The servants would also go home on Boxing Day to give Christmas boxes to their families.
England and Wales
The next bank holiday in England and Wales is Summer bank holiday on the 29th of August
Scotland
The next bank holiday in Scotland is St Andrew’s Day on the 30th of November
Northern Ireland
The next bank holiday in Northern Ireland is Summer bank holiday on the 29th of August
Which country has the most bank holidays?
Northern Ireland has the most bank holidays, marking all the same ones as England and Wales, as well St Patrick’s Day (to celebrate its Patron Saint) on 17 March and the Battle of Boyne on 12 July. St David’s Day in Wales and St George’s Day in England are not marked with a bank holiday.
What is it called when banks close for a break?
These days are called bank holidays they are when the banks would close for a break. Other businesses would be unable to operate without them, so they would close too, giving everyone a national holiday.
Is the UK bank holiday a religious holiday?
The UK bank holiday is a well-loved cultural institution. A bank holiday is basically the same as a public holiday or a religious holiday – lots of workplaces will close for the day in order to celebrate something or mark an occasion, although restaurants, pubs and shops do still open, sometimes with reduced hours.
What bank holiday is on Monday 2nd August?
Scots also celebrate their summer bank holiday on Monday 2nd August instead of Monday 30th August as in England and Wales. Northern Ireland has two more bank holidays than England and Wales, namely St Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day). This gives them 10 bank holidays for 2021.
Why are banks closed on Easter Sunday?
Because it’s a bank holiday, banks are shut (duh). It’s one of the few businesses that are guaranteed to be closed, although even this is changing. By law, larger shops are required to close on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. Besides these two days, businesses are free to operate on bank holidays.
What day is Christmas Day?
Monday 27 December: Christmas Day (substitute day)
What to do on a long weekend?
The temptation is there to scrap the date night, stay in bed and Netflix and chill, but a long weekend deserves more. Get out there, into the fresh air, and enjoy one (or all) of these days out for couples: 1 Ride the London Eye in a Romantic Private Capsule with Michelin star dinner 2 Enjoy a full-day wine tasting masterclass 3 Take a private tour of Kew Gardens, with Michelin star dining 4 Enjoy champagne and lunch at the top of the Shard
Is public transport open on Christmas?
On most Bank Holidays, the tubes and buses run on a Sunday timetable. On Christmas, there’s no public transport, and on Boxing Day and New Years, services are limited.
Do you want to be left alone on a bank holiday?
No one wants to be left alone on a bank holiday. They’re to be celebrated with mates! Instead of doing what you always do on a normal weekend, mix it up with one of these fun-filled experiences to share with friends.
How many bank holidays are there in England?
Nowadays, in England and Wales, there are eight bank holidays every year, while in Scotland there are nine and in Northern Ireland there are 10. 3. Many people head to the beach, if the weather is warm enough, and chill out Credit: Getty.
Why are bank holidays called bank holidays?
The days became known as bank holidays because when Sir John drafted the legislation it was called the Bank Holiday Bill as it progressed through parliament.
Why do people celebrate bank holidays?
EVERYONE loves a bank holiday, giving people a day off work and the chance to meet up with friends and family and have a bit of fun.
Which country has the second lowest number of bank holidays in 2022?
England has the second lowest number in the world with just eight days – along with the Netherlands and Hungry. Mexico is the worst though with just seven days off. Bank holidays 2022: Full list of dates next year including bonus extra day. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Which country has the most bank holidays?
Cambodia has the most bank holidays in the world with a total of 28 days off. Sri Lanka isn’t too far behind with 25 while India and Kazakhstan both have 21. In Europe, Austria has the most days off, granting 18 days holiday.
Who introduced the bank holiday?
We have Sir John Lubbock to thank for introducing the bank holiday. Sir John, who was also the first Baron of Avebury, was a scientific writer, banker and Liberal politician. Born in London in 1834, Lubbock grew up on the High Elms family estate near Downe in Kent.
What act introduced public holidays in addition to those customarily recognised?
The Bank Holidays Act introduced public holidays in addition to those customarily recognised.
What are the public holidays in the UK?
Public holidays in the UK are usually called bank holidays. Some bank holidays in the UK coincide with colorful UK festivals, which is a great way to sample the top local British foods. Many businesses typically close, however, for UK national holidays and some UK transport may run on reduced schedules. Guy Fawkes Night is a widely celebrated UK ...
What are the UK bank holidays in 2022?
1 January (Saturday): New Year’s Day. 3 January (Monday): New Year’s Day holiday . 4 January (Tuesday): New Year’s holiday (Scotland)
Why is it important to know the dates of the UK holidays?
This is because many businesses and public institutions typically close or have reduced services on these days.
Which country has two more holidays than England?
For example, Northern Ireland has two more holidays than England. These are St Patrick’s Day and the Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Scotland also has several holidays that only apply to certain regions. When UK holidays fall on a weekend, the next weekday (often a Monday) usually becomes a substitute day UK national holiday.
Is Guy Fawkes Night a bank holiday?
Guy Fawkes Night is a widely celebrated UK holiday, although not an official UK bank holiday. It’s important to note that UK bank holidays are slightly different across the four countries of the UK. For example, Northern Ireland has two more holidays than England. These are St Patrick’s Day and the Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
What are the bank holidays in the UK?
Here is a full list of all of the annual bank holidays that take place across the UK: 1 New Year's Day (UK) 2 2 January (Scotland only) 3 St Patrick's Day (Northern Ireland only) 4 Good Friday (UK) 5 Easter Monday (England and Wales and Northern Ireland) 6 Early May Bank Holiday (UK) 7 Spring Bank Holiday (UK) 8 Battle of the Boyne (Northern Ireland only) 9 First Monday in August (Scotland only) 10 Last Monday in August (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) 11 St. Andrew's Day (Scotland only) 12 Christmas Day (UK) 13 Boxing Day (UK)
How many bank holidays are there in England?
In England and Wales, there are eight bank holidays every year, while in Scotland there are nine and in Northern Ireland there are 10.
Who invented the bank holiday?
Bank holidays were first introduced by a man named Sir John Lubbock who was a scientific writer, banker and politician, and the first Baron of Avebury. (He is also reported to have studied ants and tried to teach his poodle how to read!) In 1871, he drafted the Bank Holiday Bill.
When was the first bank holiday?
In 1871 , he drafted the Bank Holiday Bill. When it became law, he created the first official bank holidays.
What bank holiday was on 31 December 1999?
For example, the millennium bank holiday on 31 December 1999 and the Golden Jubilee bank holiday on Monday 3 June 2002 were extra special days when many adults got an extra day off work.
