The fastest way to check today's bank holiday status
The UK government publishes an official list of bank holidays each year on gov.uk/bank-holidays. That page shows you every bank holiday for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — and you can check it right now to see if today is one of them. The dates vary slightly by country within the UK, so make sure you are looking at the right region.
Bank holidays in the UK are fixed dates set by law, not floating holidays that change year to year. This means you can also check a calendar or your phone's calendar app if you have already marked them — most UK calendars include bank holidays by default. If you need to know urgently, the gov.uk page loads in seconds and requires no login.
Key Takeaways
- The official UK government bank holidays page at gov.uk/bank-holidays shows all dates for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland separately.
- Bank holidays differ by country within the UK — Scotland has different dates than England, for example — so check the correct region.
- Most bank holidays fall on the same date every year, so you can mark them in your calendar once and refer back.
- If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the government may declare a substitute day off on the following Monday or Tuesday.
How bank holidays differ across the UK
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland do not all observe the same bank holidays. England has eight bank holidays per year. Scotland has nine but celebrates different dates — for example, Scotland observes New Year's Day on January 2 instead of January 1, and has a Spring Holiday in May that England does not. Wales and Northern Ireland each have their own variations as well.
If you work across regions or live near a border, check which region applies to your workplace or your location. Your employer should tell you which bank holidays you observe, but the gov.uk page is the definitive source. Some private employers do not follow the standard bank holidays and may have their own holiday calendar instead.
What happens when a bank holiday falls on a weekend
When a bank holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday, the UK government usually declares a substitute day off on the following weekday — normally the Monday or Tuesday. This is called a substitute bank holiday or bank holiday in lieu. The substitute day is treated as a full bank holiday for all purposes: banks close, most businesses shut, and employees get the day off.
The government announces substitute dates when they declare the year's bank holidays. For example, if Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, you will see the substitute date listed as the following Monday. Check the gov.uk page for the current year to see both the original date and any substitutes.
Bank holidays and your pay or time off
If today is a bank holiday and you do not work, you are not may have access to to extra pay simply because it is a bank holiday — that depends on your employment contract. Some employees are paid as normal on bank holidays. Others receive time off in lieu, meaning they get a day off at another time. Some workers, particularly in retail, hospitality, and healthcare, work on bank holidays and receive extra pay or a day off later.
Your contract or staff handbook should state how your employer handles bank holidays. If you are unsure whether you should be paid or given time off today, contact your HR department or manager. Bank holiday pay is not automatic; it is whatever your contract says.
Checking bank holidays for planning ahead
If you need to know bank holidays for the rest of the year — to plan time off, book travel, or understand when services will be closed — the gov.uk page lists all upcoming dates. You can also download or print the list. Many people add bank holidays to their personal calendar at the start of the year so they do not have to look them up repeatedly.
Some services, like banks, post offices, and government offices, close on bank holidays. If you need to visit one of these services, check whether today is a bank holiday before you go. Many online services and shops remain open on bank holidays, but it is worth checking the specific business or service you need.
What to do if you are unsure about today
If you arrived at this page because you are not sure whether today is a bank holiday, open gov.uk/bank-holidays in another tab and compare today's date to the list for your region. The page is updated each year and is the official source used by all UK government departments and most employers.
If your employer has told you today is a bank holiday but you cannot find it on the gov.uk list, ask your HR or payroll team which holiday calendar they follow. Some private companies observe different holidays or have their own closure dates that do not match the standard bank holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all UK bank holidays fall on the same date every year?
Most do, but not all. New Year's Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day are fixed. Easter holidays move each year because Easter itself moves. Bank holidays that fall on weekends get substitute dates the following Monday or Tuesday, which changes the observed date.
What if I work on a bank holiday — do I get paid extra?
That depends on your employment contract, not on the bank holiday itself. Some contracts pay normal wages on bank holidays. Others offer time off in lieu or extra pay. Check your contract or ask your employer what applies to you.
Are bank holidays the same in Scotland as in England?
No. Scotland has nine bank holidays compared to England's eight, and some dates differ. For example, Scotland observes January 2 as a bank holiday instead of a different date. Always check the gov.uk page for your specific region.
Will banks and post offices be closed today if it is a bank holiday?
Most will be, yes. Banks, post offices, and government offices typically close on bank holidays. However, some supermarkets, shops, and online services stay open. If you need a specific service, contact them directly or check their website before you go.
Can my employer make me work on a bank holiday?
Yes. Bank holidays are not automatic days off for all workers. Your contract determines whether you work or get the day off. Many retail, hospitality, and healthcare workers work on bank holidays as part of their normal schedule.