United Kingdom Public Holidays

United Kingdom Public Holidays

Searching for the national holidays in United Kingdom? All public holidays in United Kingdom are treated like Sundays. This means that most of the United Kingdom employees have a day off and all schools are closed on these office holidays. If you are planning a trip to United Kingdom and want to know what the national and regional holidays are, check the details in the tables below.

The United Kingdom (UK) observes several public holidays throughout the year. These holidays, often referred to as Bank Holidays, provide opportunities for rest, reflection, and celebration. Public holidays in the UK vary across the different nations of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with some holidays being observed throughout the UK and others specific to certain regions. Public holidays are typically marked by closures of schools, banks, government offices, and many businesses, allowing citizens to participate in various cultural and family activities.

New Year’s Day (January 1)

According to timedictionary.com, New Year’s Day is a public holiday celebrated across the entire UK to mark the start of the new calendar year. It is one of the most widely observed public holidays, offering a chance to reflect on the past year and celebrate the beginning of the new one.

Traditions and Celebrations

• Fireworks Displays: Major cities such as London, Edinburgh, and Cardiff host spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks displays, which are often accompanied by music and festivities.
• New Year’s Resolutions: Many people take the opportunity to make resolutions aimed at improving various aspects of their lives in the coming year.
• Family and Friends Gatherings: It is common for people to gather with loved ones for a celebratory meal or party. Some may also attend church services to mark the new year.

Good Friday and Easter Monday (Dates Vary)

Good Friday and Easter Monday are religious holidays observed in the UK, marking the Christian celebration of Easter. These holidays commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Good Friday

• Religious Significance: For Christians, Good Friday is a solemn day of reflection and prayer, marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
• Traditions: Some people attend church services or participate in processions and reenactments of the Passion of Christ. In certain areas, hot cross buns are traditionally eaten.

Easter Monday

• Easter Egg Hunts: Families and children participate in Easter egg hunts, a popular activity where chocolate eggs are hidden for children to find.
• Bank Holiday Weekend: Easter Monday extends the long weekend, providing time for relaxation, family activities, and travel.

May Day (First Monday in May)

May Day, also known as Early May Bank Holiday, is celebrated on the first Monday of May and is traditionally associated with the arrival of spring.

Traditions and Celebrations

• Maypole Dancing: One of the oldest traditions associated with May Day is the Maypole dance, where people dance around a tall pole decorated with ribbons and flowers.
• Morris Dancing: In many parts of England, Morris dancing is performed, a traditional form of folk dance characterized by rhythmic stepping and lively music.
• Spring Fairs and Festivals: Communities often host fairs, parades, and festivals to celebrate the warmer weather and the changing season.

Spring Bank Holiday (Last Monday in May)

The Spring Bank Holiday takes place on the last Monday of May and marks the start of summer activities across the UK. It provides a long weekend for families to relax or travel, often signaling the beginning of the summer season.

Traditions and Celebrations

• Outdoor Activities: Many people take advantage of the long weekend to go on holidays or participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, picnicking, and barbecues.
• Sports Events: The Spring Bank Holiday often features a range of sporting events, including football matches, rugby games, and horse races.

Summer Bank Holiday (Last Monday in August, except in Scotland)

The Summer Bank Holiday is observed on the last Monday of August in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, while it is celebrated earlier in Scotland, on the first Monday of August. It marks the end of the summer holiday period before schools resume in September.

Traditions and Celebrations

• Notting Hill Carnival: One of the most famous celebrations held during the Summer Bank Holiday is the Notting Hill Carnival in London, a vibrant Caribbean-inspired street festival with parades, music, and dancing.
• Seaside Trips: Many families use the holiday as an opportunity for a final summer getaway to the coast, enjoying the beach and seaside attractions.
• Music Festivals: Several music festivals take place over the Summer Bank Holiday weekend, including the famous Reading and Leeds Festivals.

Christmas Day (December 25)

Christmas Day is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the UK, observed as a public holiday to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. While it is a Christian religious holiday, it is celebrated by people of all backgrounds across the UK.

Traditions and Celebrations

• Church Services: Many people attend midnight Mass or other church services to mark the religious significance of the day.
• Gift-Giving: Exchanging gifts among family and friends is a central tradition on Christmas morning.
• Christmas Dinner: Families gather for a special meal, often featuring roasted turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes, and vegetables, followed by Christmas pudding for dessert.
• Decorations: Homes are decorated with Christmas trees, lights, wreaths, and other festive decorations.

Boxing Day (December 26)

Boxing Day, observed the day after Christmas, is a public holiday across the UK and is traditionally a day for giving to those in need. The origins of the holiday are linked to the practice of giving “Christmas boxes” to servants and the poor.

Traditions and Celebrations

• Boxing Day Sales: Boxing Day is now synonymous with large sales in shops, with many people visiting stores to take advantage of post-Christmas discounts.
• Sporting Events: Boxing Day is a popular day for sporting events, including football matches, rugby games, and horse racing.
• Family Time: Many people use Boxing Day as a time to relax with family and friends, often continuing Christmas celebrations with leftover food and games.

St. Andrew’s Day (November 30) – Scotland

St. Andrew’s Day is Scotland’s national day, celebrated in honor of Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. While not a public holiday across the entire UK, it is observed as a public holiday in Scotland.

Traditions and Celebrations

• Cultural Events: St. Andrew’s Day is marked by cultural festivals, traditional Scottish music, and dance events, including ceilidhs.
• St. Andrew’s Day Dinners: Many Scots enjoy special meals with traditional dishes such as haggis, neeps, and tatties (turnips and potatoes).
• National Pride: The day is often celebrated with displays of the Saltire, Scotland’s national flag, and other symbols of Scottish heritage.

St. David’s Day (March 1) – Wales

St. David’s Day is celebrated in Wales to honor Saint David, the patron saint of Wales. Although it is not a public holiday, it is widely observed with cultural and national pride.

Traditions and Celebrations

• Parades and Festivals: St. David’s Day is celebrated with parades, concerts, and festivals across Wales. Many people wear daffodils or leeks, symbols of Welsh pride, on this day.
• Traditional Food: Dishes such as cawl (a Welsh stew), Welsh cakes, and bara brith (a type of fruit bread) are commonly enjoyed.
• School Celebrations: Many schools hold special assemblies and events where children dress in traditional Welsh costumes and perform songs and dances.

St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) – Northern Ireland

St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in Northern Ireland, celebrating Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. It is widely celebrated not only in Ireland but around the world.

Traditions and Celebrations

• Parades and Festivals: Major cities in Northern Ireland, such as Belfast and Derry, host St. Patrick’s Day parades, featuring traditional Irish music, dance, and floats.
• Green Decorations: People often wear green and decorate with shamrocks to honor Ireland’s national symbol.
• Religious Observances: For many, St. Patrick’s Day begins with church services in honor of Saint Patrick’s contributions to Christianity in Ireland.

St. George’s Day (April 23) – England

St. George’s Day celebrates Saint George, the patron saint of England. Although not a public holiday, it is marked with cultural pride and various events across the country.

Traditions and Celebrations

• Flag Flying: The St. George’s Cross, England’s national flag, is flown from public buildings and homes to mark the day.
• Historical Reenactments: Some towns and villages hold reenactments of the legend of Saint George slaying the dragon.
• Traditional Food: English dishes such as roast beef and Yorkshire pudding are enjoyed in some regions to celebrate the day.