The quickest way to check

The Bank of England and the UK government publish the official bank holiday calendar each year. The fastest way to know if today is a bank holiday in England is to check the gov.uk bank holidays page, which lists every date and shows which holidays explore to England specifically — because Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have different dates.

Bank holidays in England are set by Parliament and do not change year to year without notice. There are eight fixed bank holidays (New Year's Day, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day) plus occasional extra holidays declared by the government. If you need to know right now, gov.uk is the source that employers, banks, and courts use.

The page updates when the government announces additional bank holidays, which happens rarely but does occur — for example, extra holidays were declared for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and the King's Coronation in 2023.

Key Takeaways

  • The official list is on gov.uk under "Bank holidays", and it shows the exact dates for the current and next year.
  • England has eight regular bank holidays plus occasional extra ones announced by the government, and the dates differ from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
  • Bank holidays affect when banks close, when courts are closed, and when some businesses shut, but not all employers give the day off.
  • If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the government may declare a substitute day off on the following Monday or Tuesday.

The eight regular bank holidays in England

England observes the same eight bank holidays every year unless Parliament changes the law. New Year's Day falls on January 1. Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday, which changes each year because Easter is calculated by lunar calendar. May Day 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. Christmas Day is December 25, and Boxing Day is December 26. These dates are fixed by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 and have not changed since then.

When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the government declares a substitute day — usually the following Monday or Tuesday. This substitute is called a "substitute bank holiday" and is announced in advance on gov.uk. For example, if Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, Boxing Day observance moves to the following Monday.

Where to find the official calendar

Go to gov.uk and search for "bank holidays". The page shows a table with the date, the name of the holiday, and which parts of the UK observe it. England's holidays are listed separately from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland because each nation has different dates.

The page covers the current year and the next year. If you need to plan further ahead, the dates for regular bank holidays do not change — you can calculate them yourself using the rules above. The only uncertainty is whether the government will declare an extra bank holiday, which is rare and announced months in advance.

You can also check with your employer or your bank directly. Banks close on bank holidays in England, so if you need to visit a branch or process a time-sensitive transaction, confirm the closure date with your bank rather than assuming.

What actually closes on a bank holiday

Banks close on bank holidays in England — you cannot visit a branch or process transactions through the bank's main office. However, online banking and ATMs usually remain open. Courts are closed, so you cannot file documents or attend hearings. Government offices close, and civil service staff do not work.

Not all businesses close on bank holidays. Shops, restaurants, and many services stay open, though some reduce hours. Employers are not required by law to give employees the day off — the bank holiday is a public holiday, but private employers decide their own closure policy. Check your employment contract or ask your employer whether you get the day off.

Public transport may run on a reduced schedule. Schools are usually open unless the bank holiday coincides with a school holiday period. If you need a service on a bank holiday, contact the organisation directly rather than assuming it will be closed.

Extra bank holidays announced by the government

Beyond the eight regular holidays, the government can declare additional bank holidays by statutory instrument — a formal legal notice. This happens rarely. Recent examples include an extra bank holiday for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee (June 3, 2022) and the King's Coronation (May 8, 2023).

When an extra bank holiday is announced, it appears on the gov.uk bank holidays page and is usually declared several months in advance. Employers, banks, and courts are notified through official channels. If you see a date on the calendar that is not one of the eight regular holidays, check gov.uk to confirm it is a declared extra holiday and not a mistake.

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 are closed and most government offices shut. The term "bank holiday" comes from the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, which defined the days when banks must close.

Some countries distinguish between bank holidays (when financial institutions close) and public holidays (when everything closes). In England, the eight bank holidays are the main public holidays, and they are the days when banks, courts, and government offices close. Christmas Day and Boxing Day are also religious holidays, but they are treated the same way as the others for closure purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get paid if I work on a bank holiday?

That depends on your employment contract and your employer's policy. The law does not require employers to pay extra or give the day off. Some employers pay normal wages, some pay extra, and some require you to work without additional pay. Check your contract or ask your employer what their policy is.

What if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?

The government declares a substitute day, usually the following Monday or Tuesday. This substitute is a bank holiday too, so banks and courts close on the substitute day instead of the weekend. The gov.uk page shows which day the substitute falls on.

Are bank holidays the same across the whole UK?

No. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have different bank holiday dates. Scotland has nine bank holidays, and some fall on different dates than England's. Always check the gov.uk page and select your nation to see the correct dates for where you are.

Can I check bank holidays for next year?

Yes. The gov.uk bank holidays page shows the current year and the next year. The eight regular bank holidays follow the same pattern every year, so you can also calculate them yourself: May Day is always the first Monday in May, and the Summer Bank Holiday is always the last Monday in August.

What happens if I need to go to the bank on a bank holiday?

Banks are closed, but most offer online banking and ATM access. If you need to speak to someone or process a transaction that requires a staff member, you will need to wait until the next business day. Some banks offer limited services through phone or app on bank holidays — contact your bank to ask.