Public Holidays in the United Kingdom are referred to as Bank Holidays. During UK Bank Holidays, government offices and most small and large businesses are closed.
Bank Holidays are declared by statute, royal proclamation, and conventional law.
It is typically celebrated on the date itself. However, if the holiday falls on a Sunday, it is usually moved to the next day (Monday).
A holiday that is observed on a different date is called a substitute day or bank holiday in lieu.
Although some big and small businesses remain open during Bank Holidays, it is best to check if the store you wish to go to is open or not or has changed operating hours.
In this article, you will read about Bank Holidays in the United Kingdom in 2022 and 2023 for England, Wales, North Ireland, and Scotland.
Not only will you know when celebrations will occur but have information about closed shops.
Here is a quick summary of what this article entails:
- Bank Holidays 2022-2023 England and Bank Holiday Wales
- Bank Holiday Northern Ireland
- Bank Holidays 2022-2023 Scotland
- Local and Extra Bank Holiday 2022-2023
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Are Your Thoughts?
Contents
Bank Holidays 2022-2023 England and Bank Holiday Wales
| Year | Date | Day | Bank Holiday |
| 2022 | 3 January | Monday | New Year’s Day (substitute day) |
| 15 April | Friday | Good Friday | |
| 18 April | Monday | Easter Monday | |
| 2 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday | |
| 2 June | Thursday | Spring bank holiday | |
| 3 June | Friday | Platinum Jubilee bank holiday | |
| 29 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday | |
| 19 September | Monday | Bank Holiday for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II | |
| 26 December | Monday | Boxing Day | |
| 27 December | Tuesday | Christmas Day (substitute day) | |
| 2023 | 2 January | Monday | New Year’s Day (substitute day) |
| 7 April | Friday | Good Friday | |
| 10 April | Monday | Easter Monday | |
| 1 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday | |
| 29 May | Monday | Spring bank holiday | |
| 28 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday | |
| 25 December | Monday | Christmas Day | |
| 26 December | Tuesday | Boxing Day |
Bank Holiday Northern Ireland
| Year | Date | Day | Bank Holiday |
| 2022 | 3 January | Monday | New Year’s Day (substitute day) |
| 17 March | Thursday | St Patrick’s Day | |
| 15 April | Friday | Good Friday | |
| 18 April | Monday | Easter Monday | |
| 2 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday | |
| 2 June | Thursday | Spring bank holiday | |
| 3 June | Friday | Platinum Jubilee bank holiday | |
| 12 July | Tuesday | Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) | |
| 29 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday | |
| 19 September | Monday | Bank Holiday for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II | |
| 26 December | Monday | Boxing Day | |
| 27 December | Tuesday | Christmas Day (substitute day) | |
| 2023 | 2 January | Monday | New Year’s Day (substitute day) |
| 17 March | Friday | St Patrick’s Day | |
| 7 April | Friday | Good Friday | |
| 10 April | Monday | Easter Monday | |
| 1 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday | |
| 29 May | Monday | Spring bank holiday | |
| 12 July | Wednesday | Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) | |
| 28 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday | |
| 25 December | Monday | Christmas Day | |
| 26 December | Tuesday | Boxing Day |
Bank Holidays 2022-2023 Scotland
| Year | Date | Day | Bank Holiday |
| 2022 | 3 January | Monday | New Year’s Day (substitute day) |
| 4 January | Tuesday | 2nd January (substitute day) | |
| 15 April | Friday | Good Friday | |
| 2 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday | |
| 2 June | Thursday | Spring bank holiday | |
| 3 June | Friday | Platinum Jubilee bank holiday | |
| 1 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday | |
| 19 September | Monday | Bank Holiday for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II | |
| 30 November | Wednesday | St Andrew’s Day | |
| 26 December | Monday | Boxing Day | |
| 27 December | Tuesday | Christmas Day (substitute day) | |
| 2023 | 2 January | Monday | New Year’s Day (substitute day) |
| 3 January | Tuesday | 2nd January (substitute day) | |
| 7 April | Friday | Good Friday | |
| 1 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday | |
| 29 May | Monday | Spring bank holiday | |
| 7 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday | |
| 30 November | Thursday | St Andrew’s Day | |
| 25 December | Monday | Christmas Day | |
| 26 December | Tuesday | Boxing Day |
Local and Extra Bank Holiday 2022-2023
Aside from bank holidays, students can expect more holidays related to school terms.
Generally, summer holidays are from late July to early September, whereas the autumn half-term is during the fourth week of October.
Visit Gov.UK to know more about school term and holiday dates.
In Scotland, towns and cities have local holidays declared by local authorities. However, local holidays are usually not followed by most businesses and government offices.
Thus, you can expect them to open and either celebrate the local holiday or not.
Listed below are some local holidays observed in Scotland.
List of Local Holidays in Scotland
| Holiday | Date | Towns/Cities |
| Day after Up Helly Aa fire festival | 24 hours on the last Tuesday of January | Shetland |
| Winter Holiday | First Monday in February | Inverness |
| Easter Monday | Easter holiday | Ayr, Edinburgh, Falkirk, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Kilmarnock, North Lanarkshire, Paisley, Stirling, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire |
| Victoria Day | Last Monday strictly before 24 May | Edinburgh |
| Fourth Monday in May | Perth | |
| Last Monday in May | Dundee
Paisley |
|
| Linlithgow Marches | The first Tuesday after the second Thursday in June | Linlithgow |
| Lanimer Day | Second Thursday in June | Lanark area only |
|
Fair Holiday |
Last Monday in June | Elgin |
| Saturday preceding first Monday in July | Edinburgh | |
| First Monday in July | Falkirk, Inverness | |
| Second Monday in July | Aberdeen | |
| Third Monday in July | Arbroath, Fife, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire | |
| Fourth Friday in July | Scottish Borders | |
| Last Monday in July | Dundee | |
| Braw Lads Gathering | Saturday nearest June 30th | Galashiels |
| Late Summer Holiday | First Monday in September | Elgin, Inverclyde |
| Ayr Gold Cup | Third Friday in September | Ayr, Kilmarnock |
| Saturday 22 April 2023 | Ayr, Kilmarnock | |
| Autumn Holiday | Third Monday in September | Edinburgh |
| Last Monday in September | Aberdeen, Angus except for Carnoustie and Monifieth, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Paisley, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire | |
| First Monday in October | Carnoustie and Monifieth, Dundee, Inverness, Perth | |
| Second Monday in October | Scottish Borders | |
| Third Monday in October | Elgin, Fife | |
| Samhain holiday | from sunset on October 31st to sunset on November 1st | Inverness |
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Bank Holidays in 2022-2023?
England and Wales have eight bank holidays, Scotland has nine holidays, and Northern Island has 10 holidays.
What Are Common and Unique Holidays in the UK?
The Bank Holidays common to all UK countries are Boxing Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, the early May bank holiday, the Spring bank holiday, and the Summer bank holiday.
St Patrick’s Day and Orangemen’s Day are unique holidays observed only in Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the 2nd of January and St Andrew’s Day on the 30th of November are special holidays observed.
Is New Year‘s Day a Bank Holiday?
Yes, New Year’s Day is a Bank Holiday celebrated every year. Since New Year’s Day falls on Sunday, it is moved to January 2nd on a Monday as a substitute day in 2023.
What Is a Special Holiday in 2022?
The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II was celebrated as a special holiday on June 3rd, Friday.
Another special holiday was the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19th, Monday.
What Are Your Thoughts?
Which UK Bank Holiday is your favorite and how did you celebrate it? If you are going on a vacation in the UK, don’t forget to check the holidays ahead of time to plan your itinerary accordingly.
Although major holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Day make the streets packed, it is one of the most exciting holidays full of events and special offers to look forward to.
Do you have tips or recommendations on UK Bank Holidays? Share any additional details you know in the comments section below. Don’t forget to share this quick holiday list guide with others who may need it.
If you are interested in learning more about the UK, refer to our detailed guides about the UK such as What Is A Zip Code In The UK, A Guide To The London Boroughs And Neighbourhoods, and Travel Using Public Transport in London.
