Bank Holiday UK 2024 – Complete List for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Planning the year ahead often starts with checking when the next bank holiday falls. For 2024, the United Kingdom offers a familiar but regionally varied calendar of public holidays. While England and Wales share eight bank holidays, Scotland marks nine, and Northern Ireland observes ten. Understanding these differences matters for annual leave planning, travel arrangements, and business scheduling.

The 2024 calendar includes the usual winter, spring, and summer fixtures, with a few notable regional variations. Most bank holidays fall on Mondays, creating convenient three-day weekends. Others, like Christmas Day and Boxing Day, land mid-week, offering a different rhythm for the festive period.

This guide breaks down every bank holiday in 2024 across all four UK nations, explains why the regional differences exist, and looks ahead to 2025 and 2026 so you can plan with confidence.

What are all the UK bank holidays in 2024?

The 2024 bank holiday calendar contains the core dates familiar to most people in the UK, alongside regional additions that reflect each nation’s distinct traditions. Below is an at-a-glance overview of the four most frequently searched holidays, followed by a complete list.

Key insights about 2024 bank holidays

• England and Wales share 8 bank holidays in 2024; Scotland has 9 (including 2 January); Northern Ireland has 10 (including St. Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne).
• The most common day for bank holidays in 2024 is Monday, with 6 out of 8 core holidays falling on that day (excluding Christmas and Boxing Day).
• 2024 has two bank holidays in May (Early May and Spring) – a popular month for long weekends.
• Several bank holidays in 2024 fall on weekdays, giving typical 9-5 workers additional paid days off without using annual leave.

Complete bank holiday table for 2024

Additional local holidays include St. Patrick’s Day (17 March) and Battle of the Boyne (12 July) in Northern Ireland, and 2 January in Scotland.

Are bank holidays different in Scotland compared to England?

Yes, the differences are significant and reflect each nation’s legal and cultural traditions. England and Wales follow an identical calendar of eight bank holidays, while Scotland and Northern Ireland each maintain their own additional dates.

England and Wales: identical set of 8 bank holidays

England and Wales share the same eight dates throughout the year. This includes New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the Early May and Spring bank holidays, the Summer bank holiday in late August, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. The set has remained consistent for decades.

Scotland: 2 January instead of Easter Monday, and a different summer holiday

Scotland’s calendar includes 2 January as a bank holiday, a tradition dating back to the 19th century. Easter Monday is not observed. Additionally, Scotland celebrates St Andrew’s Day on 30 November, with a substitute day in 2024 falling on 25 November. The Summer Bank Holiday lands on 5 August 2024, the first Monday of the month.

Northern Ireland: additional St. Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne

Northern Ireland has the most bank holidays of any UK nation with ten. In addition to the standard set shared with England and Wales, it observes St. Patrick’s Day on 17 March and the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) on 12 July. When these dates fall on a weekend, substitute days are designated.

What are the UK bank holidays for 2025 and 2026?

For those who like to plan well ahead, the pattern for 2025 and 2026 remains broadly consistent with the normal regional structure: 8 holidays in England and Wales, 9 in Scotland, and 10 in Northern Ireland.

UK bank holidays 2025 – key dates

In 2025, England and Wales observe New Year’s Day (1 Jan), Good Friday (18 Apr), Easter Monday (21 Apr), Early May bank holiday (5 May), Spring bank holiday (26 May), Summer bank holiday (25 Aug), Christmas Day (25 Dec), and Boxing Day (26 Dec). Scotland follows a similar pattern but with 2 January and its Summer bank holiday on 4 August, plus St Andrew’s Day on 1 December. Northern Ireland adds St Patrick’s Day (17 Mar) and the Battle of the Boyne (14 July, substitute).

UK bank holidays 2026 – key dates

The 2026 calendar follows the same regional structure. England and Wales have New Year’s Day (1 Jan), Good Friday (3 Apr), Easter Monday (6 Apr), Early May bank holiday (4 May), Spring bank holiday (25 May), Summer bank holiday (31 Aug), Christmas Day (25 Dec), and Boxing Day (28 Dec, substitute). Scotland observes its standard set with 2 January and St Andrew’s Day (30 Nov). Northern Ireland again includes St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne (13 July, substitute).

What is a bank holiday and how are they determined?

The term “bank holiday” dates back to the Bank Holidays Act 1871, which created the first formal bank holidays in the UK. The name stuck even though the holidays today function as general public holidays.

Origin of bank holidays in the UK

The modern system is rooted in the Bank Holidays Act 1871, which designated specific days when banks would close. Over time, the calendar was adjusted. The August bank holiday moved from the first Monday to the last Monday in August for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, while Scotland retained its earlier date. The Whitsun or Whit Monday holiday was replaced by the current Spring bank holiday, fixed as the last Monday in May.

How bank holidays are announced each year

Bank holidays are declared via statutory instruments for England, Wales, and Scotland, and by the Northern Ireland Executive for that region. Future-year dates are typically announced one to two years in advance and published in the London Gazette. Since 1978, the first Monday in May has been observed as a bank holiday in most of the UK, while Scotland’s equivalent arrangement differs in timing.

Difference between reserved and devolved bank holidays

Some bank holidays, such as Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, are observed across the entire UK. Others, like St Patrick’s Day in Northern Ireland and 2 January in Scotland, are devolved matters. This means each nation’s government has the authority to set its own additional holidays within the legal framework.

When do the 2024 bank holidays fall throughout the year?

• January: 1 Jan – New Year’s Day (all UK)
• March: 17 Mar – St. Patrick’s Day (NI only); 29 Mar – Good Friday (all UK)
• April: 1 Apr – Easter Monday (E&W, NI)
• May: 6 May – Early May Bank Holiday (all UK); 27 May – Spring Bank Holiday (all UK)
• July: 12 Jul – Battle of the Boyne (NI only)
• August: 5 Aug – Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland only); 26 Aug – Summer Bank Holiday (E&W, NI)
• December: 25 Dec – Christmas Day (all UK); 26 Dec – Boxing Day (all UK)

Which bank holiday details are confirmed and which remain uncertain?

How did the UK bank holiday system develop?

The Bank Holidays Act 1871 first introduced the concept of bank holidays in England, Wales, and Ireland, with a separate act following for Scotland. Initially, the designated days were primarily about banking closures, but over time they evolved into general public holidays. The August bank holiday was moved from the first Monday to the last Monday in August for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, while Scotland kept its own timing. The Whitsun or Whit Monday holiday was replaced by the Spring bank holiday, fixed as the last Monday in May. Since 1978, the first Monday in May has been observed in most of the UK, further contributing to the regional split seen today.

Economically, bank holidays create noticeable spikes in retail, hospitality, and travel sectors. Some businesses close entirely, while others see increased footfall. Many bank holidays also coincide with school breaks, affecting family travel planning.

What do official sources say about UK bank holidays?

“Find out when bank holidays are in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – including past and future bank holidays.”

GOV.UK – UK bank holidays page

“There are eight permanent bank holidays in England and Wales, nine in Scotland and ten in Northern Ireland.”

Wikipedia – Bank holiday

“Bank holidays are days when most businesses are closed and workers have a paid day off.”

Business Wales (businesswales.gov.wales)

What should you take away from the 2024 bank holiday calendar?

The 2024 UK bank holiday calendar offers a familiar but regionally nuanced set of dates. England and Wales follow an eight-holiday schedule, Scotland adds 2 January and a different summer date, and Northern Ireland includes St. Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne. All dates for 2024 are confirmed, making it safe to plan annual leave and travel around them. For forward planning, official sources like GOV.UK and the Northern Ireland government site publish future-year calendars as they become available. When Does Autumn Start – UK and US Dates for 2025 and 2026 may also be useful for seasonal planning alongside your holiday calendar.

Frequently asked questions about UK bank holidays 2024