The quickest way to find out
The UK government publishes the official bank holiday calendar on gov.uk/bank-holidays. That page lists every bank holiday for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland separately — they are not all the same. You can check today's date against the list in seconds.
If you need to know whether a specific business will be open, call them directly rather than relying on the bank holiday list. Some businesses open on bank holidays; others close on days that are not official bank holidays. A bank holiday does not automatically close every shop, office, or service.
Key Takeaways
- England has eight bank holidays per year, listed on gov.uk/bank-holidays, and the dates are fixed each year except for Easter-related holidays.
- Bank holidays in England are different from those in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, so check the England-specific list.
- A bank holiday does not mean all businesses close — many shops, restaurants, and services stay open, so contact the business directly if you need to know.
- If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the government may declare a substitute day off on the following Monday or Tuesday, announced months in advance.
England's bank holidays and when they fall
England observes eight bank holidays in a standard year. New Year's Day, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day fall on fixed dates. Good Friday and Easter Monday move each year because they follow the lunar calendar.
The Early May Bank Holiday is always the first Monday in May. The Spring Bank Holiday is the last Monday in May. The Summer Bank Holiday is the last Monday in August. When Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the government declares a substitute day — usually the following Monday or Tuesday — and announces this well in advance, normally by autumn of the previous year.
You can see the exact dates for the current and next few years on gov.uk/bank-holidays without needing to calculate anything yourself.
Why bank holidays matter for banks and businesses
On a bank holiday, the Bank of England is closed and most high street banks do not process payments or transfers. If you send money on a bank holiday, it will not arrive until the next working day. Standing orders and direct debits scheduled for a bank holiday usually process on the next working day instead.
Cheques take longer to clear around bank holidays because the clearing system also closes. If you deposit a cheque on a Friday before a Monday bank holiday, it will not clear until Wednesday at the earliest.
Stock markets, currency exchanges, and government offices also close on bank holidays. If you are waiting for a payment from a government department or a financial institution, a bank holiday will delay it by one day.
Checking whether a specific service will be open
A bank holiday does not tell you whether your GP surgery, local council office, post office, or favourite restaurant will be open. Many of these stay open on bank holidays; others close. The only reliable way to know is to check the business's website, call them, or look at their opening hours on Google Maps.
Post offices have variable hours on bank holidays — some close, some open for reduced hours. The Royal Mail website shows which post offices are open on specific dates.
If you need to use a service on a day you think might be a bank holiday, check that service's hours first rather than assuming it will be closed.
Bank holidays versus public holidays
In England, "bank holiday" and "public holiday" are used interchangeably, but they mean the same thing: a day when banks and most government offices close and many workers get a day off. Not every worker gets a bank holiday off — retail staff, healthcare workers, and hospitality workers often work on bank holidays.
If you are employed, your contract will say whether you get bank holidays off or whether you work them and get a different day in lieu. This is between you and your employer; the government does not mandate that all workers have the day off.
What happens to payments and important date on bank holidays
If a payment important date falls on a bank holiday, the important date usually moves to the next working day. Tax returns, council tax payments, and utility bills often have this rule built in. Check the specific important date notice or contact the organisation to confirm.
If you are expecting a payment — a salary, a tax refund, a benefit payment — and it is due on a bank holiday, it will arrive on the next working day instead. Some employers and benefit systems process payments the day before a bank holiday to avoid this delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all shops close on bank holidays in England?
No. Most supermarkets, shopping centres, and high street shops stay open on bank holidays, though some reduce their hours. Independent shops are more likely to close. Check the specific shop's website or call them to be sure.
What happens if I send a bank transfer on a bank holiday?
The transfer will not process until the next working day. If you send it on a Friday before a Monday bank holiday, it will not arrive until Tuesday. Faster payment schemes have the same rule — bank holidays are not working days for the banking system.
Are Scottish and Welsh bank holidays the same as England's?
No. Scotland has nine bank holidays and Wales has nine, but the dates are different from England's. Northern Ireland also has its own list. Always check the list for the specific country on gov.uk/bank-holidays.
Can my employer make me work on a bank holiday?
Yes, if your contract allows it. Many workers in retail, healthcare, hospitality, and emergency services work on bank holidays. Your contract will say whether you get the day off or work it and receive a different day in lieu or extra pay.
How far in advance are bank holidays announced?
Fixed bank holidays (New Year's Day, Christmas, Boxing Day, and the May and August Mondays) are set years in advance. Substitute days for bank holidays that fall on weekends are usually announced by autumn of the previous year. Easter dates change annually and are published well ahead.