The quickest way to find out

The fastest way to know if today is a bank holiday in the UK is to check the UK government's official bank holidays page at www.gov.uk/bank-holidays. It lists every bank holiday for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and you can see at a glance whether today falls on one. Bank holidays vary by nation — Scotland has different dates than England, for example — so make sure you're looking at the right part of the country.

If you need to know right now without leaving this page, the answer depends on which nation you're in. England, Wales, and Northern Ireland observe the same bank holidays most of the year, but Scotland has two extra holidays (2 January and 1 May) that the others don't. The easiest approach is to open the gov.uk page in another tab and cross-check today's date against the full list.

Your bank, building society, or employer may also have a notice on their website or app if today is a bank holiday affecting their services. Many businesses post this information prominently during the week before.

Key Takeaways

  • The UK government's bank holidays page at www.gov.uk/bank-holidays shows the official list for each nation and updates it annually.
  • Scotland observes two bank holidays that England, Wales, and Northern Ireland do not: 2 January and 1 May.
  • Bank holidays affect bank opening hours, post office services, and some business operations, but not all employers close on every bank holiday.
  • If you need to know whether a specific service is open today, contact them directly rather than relying on the bank holiday list alone.

The full list of UK bank holidays by nation

England, Wales, and Northern Ireland share eight bank holidays each year: New Year's Day (1 January), 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 (25 December), and Boxing Day (26 December). When Christmas or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, the bank holiday moves to the following Monday or Tuesday.

Scotland observes the same eight holidays as the rest of the UK, plus two additional ones: 2 January (New Year's Day holiday) and 1 May (Early May Bank Holiday, though Scotland celebrates this on a different date than England). This means Scotland has ten bank holidays per year while the other nations have eight.

The dates stay the same year to year, except when a holiday falls on a weekend. In those cases, the bank holiday is observed on the next weekday. For example, if Christmas Day is a Saturday, the bank holiday is observed on Monday 27 December instead.

What actually closes on a bank holiday

Banks and building societies close on bank holidays, and post offices close as well. However, not every business shuts down. Supermarkets, shops, restaurants, and many other businesses stay open on bank holidays, though some may have reduced hours. Schools close on bank holidays, and most government offices do too.

Your employer is not legally required to give you the day off just because it's a bank holiday. Many do, but some industries — retail, hospitality, healthcare, transport — operate normally on bank holidays. If your contract doesn't specify bank holiday arrangements, ask your employer what to expect.

If a bank holiday falls on a day you normally work and you're not given the day off, you may be may have access to to paid leave in lieu (time off on another day) or extra pay, depending on your employment contract. This varies by employer, so check your contract or employee handbook.

How to plan around bank holidays

If you need to visit your bank, post office, or a government service, check the bank holiday dates at the start of the month and plan ahead. Many people try to do banking on the Friday before a Monday bank holiday, so expect longer queues. If you use online banking or post office services, you can often complete transactions outside office hours.

For travel, transport services may run on a reduced timetable on bank holidays. Check with your train company, bus operator, or airline a few days before if you're travelling on or around a bank holiday. Some roads are busier on bank holidays because more people are travelling for leisure, so factor in extra time if you're driving.

Bank holidays and pay

If you work on a bank holiday, your pay depends on your employment contract. Some employers pay you at your normal rate, some pay extra (often time-and-a-half or double time), and some give you a day off in lieu instead. Check your contract or ask your employer what applies to you.

If you're self-employed or a freelancer, bank holidays don't automatically mean you stop working or get paid extra. You decide whether to work and how to price your time. Some self-employed people charge a premium on bank holidays; others take the day off and lose the income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all UK shops close on bank holidays?

No. Most supermarkets and high street shops stay open on bank holidays, though some may have shorter hours. Post offices and banks close, but retail businesses decide for themselves. Check the website or call ahead if you need to visit a specific shop.

What happens if Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend?

The bank holiday moves to the next weekday. If Christmas is a Saturday, the bank holiday is observed on Monday 27 December. If Boxing Day is a Sunday, it's observed on Tuesday 27 December. Your employer and services should follow the moved date.

Does my employer have to give me bank holidays off?

No. Your contract may require it, but the law doesn't. Many employers do close on bank holidays, but retail, hospitality, healthcare, and transport often operate normally. Check your contract or ask your employer what applies to you.

Are Scottish bank holidays different from English ones?

Mostly the same, but Scotland has two extra bank holidays: 2 January and 1 May. England, Wales, and Northern Ireland don't observe these. If you live or work across the border, check which nation's bank holidays apply to your situation.

Can I get paid extra if I work on a bank holiday?

It depends on your contract. Some employers pay extra (time-and-a-half or double time), some pay your normal rate, and some give you a day off in lieu. Read your employment contract or ask your employer what they offer.