The quickest way to learn about today is a bank holiday

The UK government publishes an official list of bank holidays on gov.uk/bank-holidays. You can check the current date against that list in seconds. Bank holidays in the UK are not the same across all four nations — England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have their own calendar, with Scotland and Northern Ireland observing different dates than England and Wales for some holidays.

If you need to know right now, search "UK bank holidays 2024" or "UK bank holidays 2025" (depending on the current year) and the gov.uk page will appear at the top. The page shows the full year's dates in a simple table format, broken down by nation.

Most banks, post offices, and government offices close on bank holidays. If you are trying to reach a specific organisation, their website usually states their holiday closure dates separately, as some businesses stay open on certain bank holidays.

Key Takeaways

  • The official UK bank holiday list is published on gov.uk and shows dates that vary by England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
  • England and Wales share most bank holidays, but Scotland and Northern Ireland observe different dates for some holidays.
  • Bank holidays affect bank opening hours, post office services, and government office availability, though not all private businesses close.
  • If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday is usually observed as a substitute holiday instead.

The difference between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

England and Wales observe the same bank holidays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. That is eight holidays per year.

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 — nine holidays, because 2 January is a separate bank holiday. Scotland does not observe Easter Monday as a bank holiday in the same way.

Northern Ireland observes New Year's Day, St. Patrick's Day (17 March), Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day — also nine holidays.

If you live or work in one nation but need to contact a business in another, check which nation's calendar applies to that organisation. The gov.uk page lists all dates side by side so you can compare.

What happens when a bank holiday falls on a weekend

When a bank holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday (or sometimes Tuesday) becomes a substitute bank holiday instead. This is called a substitute bank holiday or observed holiday. For example, if Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, Boxing Day moves to Monday.

The gov.uk bank holidays page shows both the original date and the observed date, so you will see the actual day the holiday is observed rather than the calendar date. This matters if you are planning to visit a bank or post office or need a government service.

Where to find the official list and how to check specific dates

Go to gov.uk/bank-holidays and you will see a table with three columns: one for England and Wales, one for Scotland, and one for Northern Ireland. Each column lists the holiday name and the date it is observed. You can also download the list as an .ics file (calendar format) to add to your phone or computer calendar.

The page is updated each year before the year begins, so it is always current. If you are checking for a date more than a year in advance, the page may not yet show those dates, but the pattern of UK bank holidays is consistent year to year.

Some organisations also publish their own closure calendars on their websites. If you need to know whether a specific bank, post office, or government office is closed, check their website first — they may have different hours or closures than the standard bank holiday schedule.

Why bank holidays matter for refunds and payments

If you are waiting for a refund or payment to arrive, bank holidays can affect the timeline. Banks process fewer transactions on bank holidays, and payments that would normally arrive within one or two working days may take longer if a bank holiday falls in between.

For example, if a refund is sent on a Friday and Monday is a bank holiday, the payment may not clear until Tuesday. Government payments like tax refunds or stimulus payments are also delayed by bank holidays, as the processing centres operate on standard working days only.

If you are tracking a refund status and the timeline seems to have stalled, check whether a bank holiday has occurred in the days since the refund was sent. This is especially important around Christmas, Easter, and the summer bank holiday in August.

Bank holidays and business closures

Not all businesses close on bank holidays. Supermarkets, shops, restaurants, and many service providers stay open, though some may have reduced hours. Banks, post offices, and most government offices do close on bank holidays.

If you need to visit a bank or post office on what you think might be a bank holiday, check the gov.uk list first. If you need to contact them by phone, their voicemail or website will usually state their holiday hours.

Insurance companies, tax offices, and other financial services may also have different hours on bank holidays. If you are waiting for a refund or payment from one of these organisations, their website should show their holiday schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all UK banks close on bank holidays?

Yes, all major UK banks close on bank holidays. Post offices also close. However, some banks offer limited services through ATMs and online banking on bank holidays. Check your bank's website for their specific holiday hours.

If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, do I get an extra day off work?

If you work in the public sector or for a business that observes bank holidays, yes — the substitute holiday (usually the following Monday) is observed instead. Private sector employers are not legally required to give bank holidays off, so check your employment contract or ask your employer.

Will my refund be delayed if a bank holiday is coming up?

Possibly. If your refund is scheduled to arrive within one or two working days and a bank holiday falls in that window, it may take an extra day or two. Working days do not include bank holidays, so the timeline may shift.

Are Scottish bank holidays different from English ones?

Yes. Scotland observes 2 January as a separate bank holiday and has different dates for some holidays. If you are dealing with a Scottish bank or business, check the Scotland column on the gov.uk bank holidays page.

Can I find bank holidays for future years on gov.uk?

Yes, but only once they are officially announced. The gov.uk page is updated each year before the year begins. The pattern of UK bank holidays is consistent, so you can predict most dates, but check the official page for confirmation.