How Public Holidays Work in the United Kingdom
England and Wales have 8 bank holidays. If one falls on a weekend, a "substitute day" is given on the next weekday.
Scotland has 9 (adds 2 January and St Andrew's Day, and moves the summer holiday to the first Monday of August). Northern Ireland adds St Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne (12 July).
Sources: UK bank holidays, GOV.UK, Public holidays in the United Kingdom (Wikipedia)
All United Kingdom Holidays in 2016
| Date | Holiday | About |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jan 1 | New Year's Day | First day of the year, following New Year's Eve (Hogmanay in Scotland). |
| Fri, Mar 25 | Good Friday | The Friday before Easter, marking the crucifixion; traditionally the day for hot cross buns. |
| Mon, Mar 28 | Easter Monday | The Monday after Easter Sunday, giving a four-day Easter weekend. |
| Mon, May 2 | Early May Bank Holiday | First Monday of May, rooted in traditional May Day celebrations. |
| Mon, May 30 | Spring Bank Holiday | Last Monday of May; replaced the old Whit Monday holiday in 1971. |
| Mon, Aug 29 | Summer Bank Holiday | Last Monday of August in England and Wales — the last long weekend before the school year. |
| Sun, Dec 25day off Tue, Dec 27 | Christmas Day | Celebrates the birth of Jesus; the King's Christmas broadcast airs at 3pm. |
| Mon, Dec 26 | Boxing Day | Day after Christmas, named for "Christmas boxes" given to tradespeople; a major sports and shopping day. |
Click a date to see it on the monthly calendar.
Long Weekends in 2016
- New Year's Day Jan 1 – Jan 3 · 3 days
- Good Friday & Easter Monday Mar 25 – Mar 28 · 4 days
- Early May Bank Holiday Apr 30 – May 2 · 3 days
- Spring Bank Holiday May 28 – May 30 · 3 days
- Summer Bank Holiday Aug 27 – Aug 29 · 3 days
- Boxing Day & Christmas Day Dec 24 – Dec 27 · 4 days
Plan 2016 Around These Holidays
Add your vacation and bridge days to a calendar, then export it as a printable PDF. For the full year at a glance see the 2016 calendar.
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