UK Bank Holidays: When and why we have them?
In England, there are normally eight bank holidays per year. A bank holiday is a public holiday that falls on a weekday and lots of businesses are closed or have reduced working hours.
Why is it called a ‘bank holiday’?
Originating in 1871 in the UK, bank holidays were originally for those business in the financial sector. Eventually these expanded to include school, offices, universities. Education institutions will normally close, while some business may open for limited hours.
There are eight bank holidays that occur every year, however some years may feature additional days off. For example, in 2023 the UK was given an additional bank holiday on Monday 8 May to mark King Charles III’s coronation.
If a bank holiday happens on a specific date (e.g. New Years Day always occurs on 1 January) and it happens to fall on a weekend, an additional working day is given in lieu to people in the UK as a day off. For example, New Years Day 2023 was on a Sunday, so the UK got Monday 2 January as a bank holiday.
New Year’s Day — 1 January
In 1974, New Year’s Day (1 January) became a bank holiday in the UK. It is seen in the UK, and across other countries and cultures, as a day of celebration and festivity.
Good Friday and Easter Monday (March or April)
Originating from Christianity, both holidays commemorate the Crucifixion of Christ. The period also marks the end of Lent, a period in which many Christians give something up (Chocolate, TV fast food) for six-week period beginning in February. These holidays change each year as the date is based upon full moons in March.
Early May Bank Holiday (First Monday in May)
Early May Bank holiday or ‘May Day’ goes back to the Middle Ages with Celtic and Pagan traditions around spring time. The dates also have links to agriculture, as many farmers celebrate the day as the end of the planting season.
Spring Bank Holiday (Last Monday in May)
The history of this holiday is linked to Whit Monday, also known as Pentecost, is a Christian holiday that marks fifty days since Easter Sunday. It is now used as a day for people to take time away from work and provide people with a break.
Summer Bank Holiday (Last Monday in August)
This bank holiday was created to allow workers to enjoy and extra day of summer. Originally it was in early August (and still is in Scotland) but was moved to the end of month to allow people to enjoy the final days of summer before autumn sets in.
Christmas Day (25 December)
Christmas Day is taken as a bank holiday in the UK to celebrate the holiday. This has been a bank holiday since the 1871 act was passed.
Boxing Day (26th December)
Boxing Day (the day after Christmas Day) is also taken as a bank holiday in the United Kingdom. The origins of this bank holiday are unclear but there are several historical references to the link of rewarding tradespeople or domestic staff with a ‘Christmas Box’ on this day.
When are the bank holidays this year?
Use the interactive guide below to find the bank holidays for a specific year.
Leeds ISC is closed on bank holidays and this is reflected in the academic calendars on the Virtual Reception.
