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 2017
| Date | Holiday | About |
|---|---|---|
| Sun, Jan 1day off Mon, Jan 2 | New Year's Day | First day of the year, following New Year's Eve (Hogmanay in Scotland). |
| Fri, Apr 14 | Good Friday | The Friday before Easter, marking the crucifixion; traditionally the day for hot cross buns. |
| Mon, Apr 17 | Easter Monday | The Monday after Easter Sunday, giving a four-day Easter weekend. |
| Mon, May 1 | Early May Bank Holiday | First Monday of May, rooted in traditional May Day celebrations. |
| Mon, May 29 | Spring Bank Holiday | Last Monday of May; replaced the old Whit Monday holiday in 1971. |
| Mon, Aug 28 | Summer Bank Holiday | Last Monday of August in England and Wales — the last long weekend before the school year. |
| Mon, Dec 25 | Christmas Day | Celebrates the birth of Jesus; the King's Christmas broadcast airs at 3pm. |
| Tue, 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 2017
- New Year's Day Dec 31 – Jan 2 · 3 days
- Good Friday & Easter Monday Apr 14 – Apr 17 · 4 days
- Early May Bank Holiday Apr 29 – May 1 · 3 days
- Spring Bank Holiday May 27 – May 29 · 3 days
- Summer Bank Holiday Aug 26 – Aug 28 · 3 days
- Christmas Day & Boxing Day Dec 23 – Dec 26 · 4 days
Plan 2017 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 2017 calendar.
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