How to learn about today is a bank holiday in the UK
The fastest way is to check the official UK government calendar at gov.uk/bank-holidays. That page lists every bank holiday for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — they are not all the same across the country. You can also search "UK bank holidays 2024" or "UK bank holidays 2025" and cross-reference today's date against the list.
Bank holidays in the UK are set by law, not by individual banks or employers. The government publishes them years in advance, so the dates do not change. If today matches one of the dates on the official list for your part of the UK, then banks, post offices, and most government offices will be closed.
Not every business closes on a bank holiday. Supermarkets, restaurants, and many retail shops stay open. The rule is that banks and building societies close, the post office closes, and most government services close. Your employer may or may not give you the day off — that depends on your contract and your industry.
Key Takeaways
- The UK government publishes the full list of bank holidays at gov.uk/bank-holidays, updated years in advance.
- Bank holidays differ between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — check the list for your specific country.
- Banks, post offices, and government offices close on bank holidays, but most shops and restaurants stay open.
- Your employer is not required to give you a day off on a bank holiday unless your contract says they must.
- If you need to use a bank or post office service, check the holiday dates before you travel.
The bank holidays that explore across all of the UK
These dates are observed in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May), Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May), Summer Bank Holiday (last Monday in August), Christmas Day, and Boxing Day are the same everywhere.
The Early May Bank Holiday and Spring Bank Holiday dates shift year to year because they are tied to specific days of the week, not fixed calendar dates. The Summer Bank Holiday is always the last Monday in August. Christmas and Boxing Day fall on the same calendar dates every year, though if Christmas falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the bank holiday moves to the following weekday.
Bank holidays that vary by country within the UK
Scotland observes New Year's Day and 2 January (a second New Year holiday unique to Scotland). England, Wales, and Northern Ireland do not have a bank holiday on 2 January. Scotland also does not observe Easter Monday as a bank holiday, though it does observe Good Friday.
Northern Ireland observes both Good Friday and Easter Monday, plus an additional holiday on 17 March (Saint Patrick's Day). England and Wales observe Good Friday and Easter Monday but not Saint Patrick's Day as a bank holiday.
Wales has no additional bank holidays beyond those observed across the UK. If you live or work in Wales, check the gov.uk list to confirm the dates for your region, because the page breaks down the holidays by country.
What actually closes on a bank holiday
Banks and building societies close completely. The post office closes. Most government offices and services close, though some emergency services remain open. Courts are closed. Schools are closed.
Supermarkets, petrol stations, restaurants, pubs, and most retail shops stay open on bank holidays, though some may have reduced hours. Transport runs on a reduced or modified schedule — trains, buses, and the London Underground operate, but with fewer services than on a normal weekday. Check with your specific transport provider if you need to travel on a bank holiday.
If you need to pay a bill, withdraw cash, or post a letter on a bank holiday, you will need to do it the day before or the day after. Some banks offer limited online services, but branch services and counter services are not available.
What your employer is required to do
Your employer is not automatically required to give you a day off on a bank holiday. The bank holiday is a public holiday, but whether you are paid for it or given time off depends on your employment contract and your industry.
If your contract says you get bank holidays off, or if your industry standard is to close on bank holidays, then you are may have access to to that time. If your contract does not mention bank holidays, or if you work in retail, hospitality, healthcare, or emergency services, you may be expected to work. If you do work on a bank holiday, you may receive extra pay, time off in lieu, or nothing extra — that depends on your agreement with your employer.
If you are unsure whether you are may have access to to a day off, check your employment contract or ask your HR department. The government's ACAS service (acas.org.uk) also has information about bank holiday pay and entitlements.
Planning around bank holidays
If you need to use a bank, post office, or government service, check the bank holiday dates before you make the trip. The gov.uk bank holidays page shows the dates for the current year and the next year, so you can plan ahead.
If you are expecting a payment or a delivery, remember that bank holidays may delay processing. Payments made on a bank holiday may not clear until the next working day. Postal deliveries do not happen on bank holidays, so if you are sending something urgent, avoid posting it the day before a bank holiday.
If you are travelling by train, bus, or other public transport on or around a bank holiday, check the transport operator's website for schedule changes. Many services run on a Sunday schedule on bank holidays, which means fewer trains and buses than on a normal weekday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to work on a bank holiday?
Not unless your contract says you do or your industry normally operates on bank holidays. Retail, hospitality, healthcare, and emergency services often work on bank holidays. Check your contract or ask your employer what the expectation is for your role.
Will my bank be open on Christmas Day or Boxing Day?
No. Banks close on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day. If Christmas or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, the bank holiday moves to the following weekday. Plan any banking you need to do before the Christmas period.
Are bank holidays the same in Scotland as in England?
No. Scotland observes 2 January as a bank holiday (England, Wales, and Northern Ireland do not) and does not observe Easter Monday. Northern Ireland observes Saint Patrick's Day on 17 March. Check the gov.uk list for your specific country.
Will the post office be open on a bank holiday?
No. Post offices close on all bank holidays. If you need to post something or collect a parcel, do it the day before or the day after the bank holiday.
Do supermarkets close on bank holidays?
Most supermarkets stay open on bank holidays, though they may have reduced hours. Some smaller shops may close. If you are unsure about a specific shop, call ahead or check their website before you travel.