The fastest way to check is the UK government's official bank holidays page

Go to gov.uk/bank-holidays and you will see the full list of bank holidays for England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The page shows the exact dates for the current year and next year. Bank holidays vary slightly by country within the UK — Scotland has nine, while England, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have eight — so check the section for your region.

If today's date appears on that list, it is a bank holiday. Most banks, post offices, and government offices close on these days. Some businesses stay open, but many do not. If you need a service today and are not sure whether it will be available, call ahead rather than making a trip.

Key Takeaways

  • The official UK government website lists all bank holidays by region, updated annually.
  • Bank holidays differ between England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland — check your specific country.
  • Banks, post offices, and most government services close on bank holidays, but some retail and hospitality businesses remain open.
  • If you need a specific service today, calling ahead takes two minutes and saves a wasted journey.

Why bank holidays matter for your plans

Bank holidays affect more than just banks. Post offices close, so you cannot collect parcels or buy stamps. Most government offices shut, which means you cannot visit the DVLA, register a birth, or handle council business. Courts are closed. Many GP surgeries and dental practices close or run reduced hours.

Supermarkets and shops usually stay open, though some reduce their hours. Pubs and restaurants often stay open and may be busier than usual. Transport runs on a reduced or Sunday schedule — trains, buses, and the London Underground all operate differently on bank holidays, so check your journey planner before you travel.

The bank holidays that happen every year in the UK

England, Wales, and Northern Ireland share most bank holidays. New Year's Day (1 January), Good Friday (date varies), Easter Monday (date varies), Early May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May), Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May), Summer Bank Holiday (last Monday in August), Christmas Day (25 December), and Boxing Day (26 December) are fixed across all three countries.

Scotland observes New Year's Day, 2 January, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Scotland does not observe Easter Monday in the same way as the rest of the UK — instead, it has an additional holiday on 2 January. When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is also a holiday) becomes a substitute bank holiday. The government announces substitute dates in advance on the gov.uk website.

What actually closes and what stays open

Understanding which services shut down helps you plan around bank holidays. Banks and building societies close entirely, as do post offices and government offices like the DVLA and council services. Courts do not sit. Most GP surgeries and dental practices close or run reduced hours, though NHS 111 remains available for medical information.

Supermarkets and high street shops usually stay open, though many reduce their hours. Pubs and restaurants typically remain open and are often busier than usual. Public transport runs on a reduced or Sunday schedule — trains, buses, and the London Underground all operate differently, so check your journey planner before you travel. Royal Mail does not deliver on bank holidays, so parcels arrive the next working day instead.

Planning ahead when a bank holiday falls on a weekday

If you need to visit a bank, post office, or government service and today is a bank holiday, your next option is tomorrow — unless tomorrow is also a holiday. Check the gov.uk list to see the next working day. If you need something urgently, some services have emergency numbers. For example, if you need a GP out of hours, call 111 for NHS information. If you are expecting a parcel delivery, Royal Mail does not deliver on bank holidays, so your parcel will arrive the next working day instead.

If you have a court date or legal important date, courts do not count bank holidays as working days — your important date extends automatically. Check with your solicitor or the court if you are unsure. This matters most when you are close to a filing important date or court appearance date.

How to plan your week around multiple bank holidays

Some years have bank holidays close together — for example, Good Friday and Easter Monday fall four days apart, and the Spring Bank Holiday and Summer Bank Holiday are eight weeks apart. If you are planning something that depends on banks or government offices being open, mark the bank holidays on your calendar now rather than discovering the closure on the day.

The gov.uk bank holidays page shows the dates for the next two years, so you can plan ahead. If you work in a business that depends on bank transfers or postal services, knowing the bank holiday dates in advance helps you schedule payments and shipments around the closures. Many employers and organisations plan their schedules around these dates months in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

That depends on your employment contract. Some contracts say you work bank holidays at normal pay. Others say you get the day off and are paid as usual. Some employers pay extra for bank holiday work. Check your contract or ask your employer — there is no single rule across the UK.

Can I still use online banking on a bank holiday?

Yes. Online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs work on bank holidays. You can check your balance, transfer money, and withdraw cash 24 hours a day. The closure affects only the physical branches and phone lines where you speak to a person.

What if I need to contact my bank on a bank holiday?

Most banks have a phone number for emergencies or fraud on their website and bank card. You can also use online chat or your mobile app to message your bank. If it is not urgent, wait until the next working day to call the main branch.

Do schools close on bank holidays?

Most schools close on bank holidays, but some stay open for holiday clubs or childcare. Check with your child's school directly — they publish their closure dates in advance.

Is Christmas Eve a bank holiday if it falls on a weekday?

No. Christmas Eve is not a bank holiday in the UK. Only Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December) are official bank holidays. However, many businesses choose to close or reduce hours on Christmas Eve.