Banking Holidays in UK: A Comprehensive Guide

In the UK, banks and financial institutions observe various holidays throughout the year, affecting banking services and transactions. These holidays are typically public holidays in the UK.

Some of the most significant banking holidays in the UK include New Year's Day, Good Friday, and Christmas Day. These days are typically observed by all banks and financial institutions.

Bank branches may be closed on these holidays, and online banking services may also be unavailable. It's essential to check your bank's website or mobile app for specific holiday hours and availability.

If you need to conduct banking transactions on a holiday, you can usually do so at an ATM or by using online banking services up to a certain point before the holiday.

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Bank holidays in the UK are an essential part of the country's culture and calendar. There are eight bank holidays in the UK, including Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, and Christmas Day.

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Most businesses, banks, and non-essential services close on bank holidays, although not all shops are affected. Restaurants and pubs, however, usually stay open.

Here is a list of the eight bank holidays in the UK:

In the UK, bank holidays are a great opportunity to take a break and relax.

There are several bank holidays throughout the year, including Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, and Spring Bank Holiday. These holidays are usually observed on specific dates, but can sometimes fall on a Sunday or Monday.

If a bank holiday falls on a Sunday, it's often observed on the following Monday, creating a long weekend. This is the case for New Year's Day, Easter Monday, and Christmas Day.

Employers can make employees take a bank holiday as part of their holiday entitlement if the bank holiday falls on a day they usually work. The employer must either make this clear in the employment contract or give the employees notice that the day needs to be taken as part of their holiday entitlement.

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In Scotland, 2 January is a public holiday, and St. Andrew's Day on 30 November is also a statutory bank holiday. Unlike other bank holidays, it must be taken by workers in lieu of another bank holiday.

Here's a list of some of the bank holidays in the UK:

It's worth noting that if an employee works on a bank holiday, they must still get their full 5.6 weeks of statutory holiday entitlement as paid time off.

Special bank holidays in the UK are a unique occurrence, often declared to commemorate significant events or milestones. These extra days off are not always included in the standard holiday entitlement and can vary depending on individual employment contracts.

During the sterling crisis of 1968, the UK government declared a bank holiday to close the London gold market and stem the losses suffered by the British pound. This was a one-off decision made by Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

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In some cases, special bank holidays are announced to celebrate royal weddings, such as the wedding of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips in 1973, and the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.

The UK also celebrates special holidays to mark significant anniversaries, like the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 1977 and the Golden Jubilee in 2002.

Here are some notable special bank holidays in the UK:

In England and Wales, there are several bank holidays throughout the year. The upcoming bank holidays in 2025 are: Good Friday on 18 April, Easter Monday on 21 April, Early May bank holiday on 5 May, Spring bank holiday on 26 May, Summer bank holiday on 25 August, Christmas Day on 25 December, and Boxing Day on 26 December.

If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday becomes a bank holiday, normally the following Monday. For example, in 2026, Christmas Day falls on a Friday, so Boxing Day is moved to Monday, 28 December.

Here are the upcoming bank holidays in England and Wales for the next few years:

In England and Wales, New Year's Day falls on January 1st, unless it's a Saturday or Sunday, in which case it's celebrated on the following Monday.

The first day of the year is a statutory holiday, and it's a great time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the new one.

New Year's Day is a proclaimed holiday, which means it's officially recognized by the government, but it wasn't always a statutory holiday. Before 1974, it wasn't a statutory holiday, but now it's a widely recognized celebration.

Here's a list of bank holidays in England and Wales:

These bank holidays are a great time to take a break and enjoy some well-deserved time off with family and friends.

In England and Wales, Good Friday is a common law holiday, which means it's officially recognized by the courts, but it's not a statutory holiday.

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Past bank holidays in England and Wales have been observed on various dates, often falling on Mondays. In 2024, bank holidays include the Spring bank holiday on May 27th, Early May bank holiday on May 6th, and Summer bank holiday on August 26th.

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These bank holidays are typically observed on Mondays, although some exceptions exist. For example, in 2022, the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday was observed on a Friday, June 3rd.

Bank holidays can sometimes fall on days when employees do not usually work. In such cases, employers cannot require employees to use that day as part of their holiday entitlement. For instance, if an employee works part-time and does not work on Mondays, their employer cannot make them use a Monday bank holiday as a holiday.

In 2023, bank holidays included the Spring bank holiday on May 29th, Early May bank holiday on May 1st, and Summer bank holiday on August 28th. These dates often coincide with other national celebrations, such as Easter Monday and Good Friday.

Here's a list of past bank holidays in England and Wales from 2020 to 2024:

These bank holidays often have a core meaning that is rooted in history and tradition. For instance, the Summer bank holiday is often associated with the end of summer, while the Spring bank holiday marks the beginning of spring.

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If you're off sick or on statutory leave, you may still get to enjoy bank holidays - but how do they work? Bank holidays are included in your holiday entitlement, so you'll still build up paid days off while you're off.

If you're on sick leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave, shared parental leave, ordinary parental leave, parental bereavement leave, or carer's leave, you'll still get to enjoy bank holidays. These types of leave are included in your holiday entitlement, so you won't miss out on your paid days off.

Here's a list of the types of leave where you'll still get to enjoy bank holidays:

This means you'll still get to enjoy bank holidays like Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, and Spring Bank Holiday, even if you're not feeling well or on statutory leave.

Northern Ireland has its own set of bank holidays, which are slightly different from the rest of the UK. In Northern Ireland, St Patrick's Day is celebrated as a bank holiday on March 17th every year.

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You can find the exact dates of upcoming bank holidays in Northern Ireland for 2025, 2026, and 2027 in the table below.

Northern Ireland also has its own special bank holidays, such as the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) on July 14th in 2025 and July 12th in 2027.

In Northern Ireland, there are several bank holidays throughout the year that you should be aware of. St Patrick's Day is on March 17th, a Monday in 2025 and a Tuesday in 2026.

St Patrick's Day is a significant celebration in Northern Ireland, and you can expect many festivals and events taking place around this time. In 2025, it falls on a Monday, which means you may have a long weekend to enjoy.

If you're planning a trip to Northern Ireland in May, be aware that there are two bank holidays: the Early May bank holiday on the first Monday of May, and the Spring bank holiday on the last Monday of May. In 2025, these dates are May 5th and May 26th respectively.

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If you're looking for a summer break, the Summer bank holiday in Northern Ireland is on the last Monday of August. In 2025, this falls on August 25th.

Here's a list of upcoming bank holidays in Northern Ireland:

Northern Ireland has a rich history and culture, and its bank holidays are a great way to experience it. Boxing Day, which falls on December 26th, is a public holiday in Northern Ireland.

You can expect many shops and businesses to be closed on this day, giving you a chance to relax and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Boxing Day is a great time to visit local markets, go for a hike, or simply spend time with family and friends.

If you're planning a trip to Northern Ireland, make sure to check the dates for the Summer bank holiday, which falls on a Monday in August. This is a great time to visit popular tourist spots like the Giant's Causeway or the Titanic Belfast museum.

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Here's a list of past Summer bank holidays in Northern Ireland:

St Patrick's Day is another important holiday in Northern Ireland, which is celebrated on March 17th. While it's not always a public holiday, there are often substitute days declared on a Monday in March.

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Holiday entitlement can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to bank holidays. If a bank holiday falls on a day you usually work, your employer can make you take it as part of your holiday entitlement.

Your employer must make this clear in your employment contract or give you notice that the day needs to be taken as part of your holiday entitlement. This is a standard rule that applies to most workplaces.

If you don't usually work on a bank holiday day, you can't be forced to take it as part of your holiday entitlement. For example, if you work part-time and don't work on Mondays, you can't be made to take a bank holiday on that day.

Working on a bank holiday is an option, but it's not always straightforward. You can ask your employer if you can work on the bank holiday and take another day off instead, known as taking a day's holiday 'in lieu'. However, your employer doesn't have to agree to this.

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