How Many Bank Holidays Does the UK Have? A Complete Guide for 2023

Hey everyone, it’s your Holiday Little Assistant here! Recently, one of our readers asked me, “How many bank holidays does the UK have?” That’s a great question, and I figured plenty of you might be wondering the same thing, especially if you’re planning some time off or just curious about holidays across the pond. So, let’s break it all down in a friendly, easy-to-understand way.

First off, for those who might not know, bank holidays in the UK are basically what Americans call federal holidays—days when banks, many businesses, and schools close so people can enjoy time off. But unlike some countries, the UK doesn’t have a fixed number of bank holidays every year because it can vary a bit depending on where you are and if extra days get added for special events. Generally speaking, though, England and Wales have 8 permanent bank holidays, Scotland has 9, and Northern Ireland has 10. Yeah, it’s a little messy, but I’ll walk you through it step by step so it makes sense.

Questions Related to UK Bank Holidays

A lot of folks ask me things like, “Why does the number change?” or “What are the actual dates?” Well, the UK’s bank holidays are set by law, but they can shift around based on weekends or royal occasions. For example, if a holiday falls on a weekend, you might get a substitute weekday off. Also, sometimes there are extra one-off holidays, like for a royal wedding or jubilee—remember the Platinum Jubilee in 2022? That added an extra day! So in a typical year, England and Wales stick to 8 days, including classics like New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, early May and late May bank holidays, August bank holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Scotland bumps it up to 9 with an additional day like St Andrew’s Day, and Northern Ireland hits 10 with holidays like St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne anniversary. It’s all about local culture and history, which makes it pretty interesting if you ask me.

To sum it up, the UK has a flexible number of bank holidays, but on average, you’re looking at 8 to 10 days depending on where you are. It’s a nice perk for folks living there, giving them plenty of chances to relax or travel. I hope this clears things up and helps you plan ahead or just satisfy your curiosity.

Thanks for reading, everyone—I hope this article helps you fully understand how many bank holidays the UK has. If you have more questions, like specific dates for 2023 or how holidays work in other countries, feel free to reach out to us. Happy holidays!