UK Bank Holidays 2023: Your Complete Guide to All 8 Public Holidays

Hey there! It’s your Holiday Little Assistant back with the scoop on UK time-off. I know planning around public holidays is a big deal – whether you’re scheduling vacations, family visits, or just counting down to long weekends. So let’s break down exactly how many bank holidays England and Wales get in 2023 (Scotland and Northern Ireland have slightly different schedules, FYI).

Drumroll please… There are 8 official bank holidays across England and Wales this year! These are the days when banks close, most folks get paid time off, and the whole country slows down a bit. But here’s what’s wild – that’s actually one fewer than usual because of how the calendar falls. Bummer, right? But don’t worry, I’ll explain why and give you all the key dates to circle on your calendar.

What counts as a bank holiday in the UK?

First things first – UK bank holidays aren’t quite the same as national holidays in other countries. They’re basically days recognized by the government when most workplaces close (but some essential services stay open). The term “bank holiday” comes from the old days when these were literally days banks shut their doors. Today, about 90% of UK workers get these days off, though weirdly, there’s no legal right to paid holidays – it’s up to employers.

The Complete 2023 UK Bank Holiday List

Here’s your cheat sheet for the year (all dates are for England and Wales):

• New Year’s Day – January 2nd (observed since January 1st falls on Sunday)
• Good Friday – April 7th
• Easter Monday – April 10th
• Early May Bank Holiday – May 1st
• King’s Coronation Holiday – May 8th (special one-time holiday!)
• Spring Bank Holiday – May 29th
• Summer Bank Holiday – August 28th
• Christmas Day – December 25th

• Boxing Day – December 26th

Wait, that looks like 9 days, right? Here’s the catch – normally there would be a New Year’s Day and a separate Boxing Day holiday. But in 2023, New Year’s Day shifts to January 2nd, and Christmas and Boxing Day both fall on weekdays, so no extra “substitute days” are created. That’s why it technically counts as 8 rather than the usual 9.

Why Scotland Gets More Days Off

Our Scottish friends actually score an extra two holidays in 2023! They get January 2nd and January 3rd off for New Year’s, plus St. Andrew’s Day on November 30th. Northern Ireland also gets a bonus St. Patrick’s Day in March. Lucky ducks!

Pro tip: If you’re planning travel around bank holidays, book early – trains and hotels fill up fast, especially for the May holidays and August break. And remember, if a holiday falls on a weekend, the “substitute day” is normally the following Monday.

There you have it – your complete UK bank holiday lowdown for 2023! Mark those dates, plan those long weekends, and make the most of your time off. And hey, that extra one-time holiday for King Charles’ coronation in May? That’s history in the making – definitely worth celebrating!

FAQpro Thanks for reading! Whether you’re planning trips or just counting down to days off, I hope this guide helps you navigate the 2023 UK holiday calendar. Got more questions? Hit me up – your Holiday Little Assistant is always here to help!