Your Complete Guide to 2018-2019 Bank Holidays: Dates, Counts, and Planning Tips
Hey there, holiday lovers! It’s your go-to public holiday guru, Holiday Little Assistant, back with another juicy breakdown. Today, we’re tackling a question I get *all* the time: “How many bank holidays were there between 2018 and 2019?” Whether you’re planning retro trips or just love fun facts, I’ve got the scoop—plus bonus tips to maximize those precious days off. Let’s dive in!
UK Bank Holidays 2018 vs. 2019: The Total Count
Drumroll, please… Across England and Wales, 2018 had 8 bank holidays, while 2019 packed in 9 thanks to a lucky calendar quirk (more on that later!). Scotland and Northern Ireland get extra love with slightly different counts—we’ll cover those too. Here’s the full breakdown:
2018 Bank Holidays (England & Wales):
• New Year’s Day (Jan 1)
• Good Friday (March 30)
• Easter Monday (April 2)
• Early May Bank Holiday (May 7)
• Spring Bank Holiday (May 28)
• Summer Bank Holiday (August 27)
• Christmas Day (Dec 25)
• Boxing Day (Dec 26)
Pro tip: Since Christmas fell on a Tuesday, no “substitute day” was needed.
2019 Bank Holidays (England & Wales):
• New Year’s Day (Jan 1)
• Good Friday (April 19)
• Easter Monday (April 22)
• Early May Bank Holiday (May 6)
• Spring Bank Holiday (May 27)
• Summer Bank Holiday (August 26)
• Christmas Day (Dec 25—Wednesday, so no substitution)
• Boxing Day (Dec 26)
• PLUS a sneaky extra: New Year’s Day 2020 was observed on Jan 1, 2020, but some workplaces rolled it into 2019’s leave year. Crafty!
Why Did 2019 Get More Bank Holidays?
Great question! While England/Wales usually get 8 fixed holidays, 2019 felt generous because:
1. No holidays fell on weekends (meaning no “lost” days needing substitutes).
2. Some companies counted early 2020’s New Year’s Day as part of 2019’s allowance—hello, loophole!
Scotland scored even bigger with 9 standard days (adding St Andrew’s Day), while Northern Ireland hit 10 with the Battle of the Boyne anniversary.
Pro Tips for Maximizing Bank Holidays
Want to stretch those days like a vacation wizard? Here’s how Brits did it in 2018-2019:
• Easter 2019: Booked April 23-26 off? Congrats, you got an 11-day break using just 4 leave days!
• May 2019: Taking May 28-31 off gifted a 10-day escape (Spring Bank Holiday + 4 days’ leave).
• Always check substitute days—if Christmas lands on a weekend, you’ll get a weekday back!
Phew! There you have it—a full map of 2018-2019’s bank holidays plus insider hacks. Whether you’re reminiscing or planning future time off, knowing these patterns helps you work smarter, not harder. Remember: bank holidays = free vacation fuel!
FAQpro tip: Got more questions about past or upcoming holidays? Hit me up! I live for this stuff. Thanks for reading, and may your calendar always be packed with long weekends.
