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 2020
| Date | Holiday | About |
|---|---|---|
| Wed, Jan 1 | New Year's Day | First day of the year, following New Year's Eve (Hogmanay in Scotland). |
| Fri, Apr 10 | Good Friday | The Friday before Easter, marking the crucifixion; traditionally the day for hot cross buns. |
| Mon, Apr 13 | Easter Monday | The Monday after Easter Sunday, giving a four-day Easter weekend. |
| Fri, May 8 | Early May Bank Holiday (VE Day) | Moved to Friday 8 May to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day. |
| Mon, May 25 | Spring Bank Holiday | Last Monday of May; replaced the old Whit Monday holiday in 1971. |
| Mon, Aug 31 | Summer Bank Holiday | Last Monday of August in England and Wales — the last long weekend before the school year. |
| Fri, Dec 25 | Christmas Day | Celebrates the birth of Jesus; the King's Christmas broadcast airs at 3pm. |
| Sat, Dec 26 day off Mon, Dec 28 | 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 2020
- Good Friday & Easter Monday Apr 10 – Apr 13 · 4 days
- Early May Bank Holiday (VE Day) May 8 – May 10 · 3 days
- Spring Bank Holiday May 23 – May 25 · 3 days
- Summer Bank Holiday Aug 29 – Aug 31 · 3 days
- Christmas Day & Boxing Day Dec 25 – Dec 28 · 4 days
Plan 2020 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 2020 calendar.
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