The UK’s bank holiday calendar varies by nation: England and Wales get eight days in 2024, while Scotland and Northern Ireland each have ten. This guide breaks down the confirmed dates for all four UK nations and explains what the statutory holiday distinction means for workers.

4 related posts

Bank holidays in 2024: 8 ·
British bank holidays England and Wales: 8 ·
Additional bank holidays Scotland: 2 ·
Additional bank holidays Northern Ireland: 2

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2024 (GOV.UK (UK government official website))
  • Scotland has 10 bank holidays in 2024 (GOV.UK)
  • Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays in 2024 (GOV.UK)
  • All dates are confirmed by UK government publications for 2024 (GOV.UK)
2What’s unclear
  • Future year bank holidays beyond 2026 are not yet published (GOV.UK (UK government official website))
  • Whether extra holidays will be added for special events like royal coronations remains uncertain (GOV.UK (UK government official website))
3Timeline signal
  • First bank holiday: 1 January 2024 (New Year’s Day) — all UK
  • Last bank holiday: 26 December 2024 (Boxing Day) — all UK
  • Peak cluster: May (6th and 27th) and August (5th Scotland, 26th rest)
4What’s next
  • 2025 bank holiday dates are already listed on GOV.UK for forward planning
  • Employers must publish holiday year calendars by early spring

One quick way to compare the 2024 holiday counts across the four nations:

Measure Value
Total bank holidays (England/Wales) 8
Total bank holidays (Scotland) 10
Total bank holidays (Northern Ireland) 10
First bank holiday 2024 1 January
Last bank holiday 2024 26 December

How many UK bank holidays are there in 2024?

Total bank holidays for England and Wales

  • England and Wales have 8 permanent bank holidays in 2024 (GOV.UK (UK government official website)).
  • These include New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May, Spring, Summer (August), Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
  • No additional regional holidays are observed in either country beyond the national set.
Why this matters

The eight‑holiday baseline means anyone in England or Wales planning paid time off needs to stretch 28 statutory days across the year—and bank holidays eat into that allowance unless the employer offers them as extras.

The pattern: England and Wales share the lowest count in the UK.

Additional bank holidays for Scotland

  • Scotland has 10 bank holidays in 2024, two more than England and Wales (GOV.UK (UK government official website)).
  • The extras are 2 January (substitute for New Year) and St. Andrew’s Day on 30 November (or the nearest Monday if it falls on a weekend).
  • Scotland’s summer bank holiday falls on the first Monday in August (5 August 2024), not the last Monday as in the rest of the UK (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Additional bank holidays for Northern Ireland

  • Northern Ireland also has 10 bank holidays in 2024, matching Scotland’s count (GOV.UK (UK government official website)).
  • It adds St. Patrick’s Day (observed on 18 March 2024) and the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) on 12 July 2024.
  • Northern Ireland observes the same summer bank holiday as England and Wales (last Monday in August).

The implication: Scotland and Northern Ireland each gain two extra days but for different reasons—Scotland from its own New Year traditions and St. Andrew’s Day, Northern Ireland from its distinct cultural holidays.

What are the bank holiday dates for UK 2024?

Full list for England and Wales

  • 1 January 2024 (New Year’s Day)
  • 29 March 2024 (Good Friday)
  • 1 April 2024 (Easter Monday)
  • 6 May 2024 (Early May bank holiday)
  • 27 May 2024 (Spring bank holiday)
  • 26 August 2024 (Summer bank holiday)
  • 25 December 2024 (Christmas Day)
  • 26 December 2024 (Boxing Day)

All dates confirmed by GOV.UK (UK government official website).

The catch: England and Wales get no extra regional days beyond this core set.

Full list for Scotland

  • 1 January 2024 (New Year’s Day)
  • 2 January 2024 (Expatica (expat lifestyle publication))
  • 29 March 2024 (Good Friday)
  • 6 May 2024 (Early May bank holiday)
  • 27 May 2024 (Spring bank holiday)
  • 5 August 2024 (Summer bank holiday) – first Monday in August
  • 30 November 2024 (St. Andrew’s Day)
  • 25 December 2024 (Christmas Day)
  • 26 December 2024 (Boxing Day)

Scotland does not observe Easter Monday as a bank holiday (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). Total: 9 listed dates, but St. Andrew’s Day is observed on 2 December if 30 November falls on a weekend—confirm with employer.

The pattern: Scotland swaps Easter Monday for an extra January day and St. Andrew’s Day.

Full list for Northern Ireland

  • 1 January 2024 (New Year’s Day)
  • 18 March 2024 (St. Patrick’s Day substitute)
  • 29 March 2024 (Good Friday)
  • 1 April 2024 (Easter Monday)
  • 6 May 2024 (Early May bank holiday)
  • 27 May 2024 (Spring bank holiday)
  • 12 July 2024 (Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen’s Day)
  • 26 August 2024 (Summer bank holiday)
  • 25 December 2024 (Christmas Day)
  • 26 December 2024 (Boxing Day)

Sources: GOV.UK (UK government official website) and Good Tuesday (holiday planning website).

The implication: Northern Ireland keeps Easter Monday and adds two cultural holidays St. Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne.

Bank holidays 2024–2025 overlapping dates

  • Christmas and Boxing Day 2024 fall mid-week (Wednesday and Thursday), offering a short work week.
  • New Year’s Day 2025 (1 January) is a Wednesday—employers often treat 2 January as a goodwill day off.
  • Both Easter and May dates shift: Good Friday 2025 is 18 April, and the Spring bank holiday moves to 26 May 2025.
The catch

Five bank holidays cluster within 10 weeks (late August through early January), but the first half of the year has only one concentrated block: Easter weekend. Workers in retail and hospitality often find those peak holiday weeks blacked out for annual leave.

Bottom line: The pattern: the late-year cluster means workers must plan carefully to avoid leave blackouts.

How many statutory holidays are there in the UK in 2024?

Difference between bank holiday and statutory holiday

  • “Bank holiday” refers to days when banks are closed and most businesses follow suit—originating from the Banking Act 1871.
  • “Statutory holiday” is a broader term covering public holidays mandated by law, including bank holidays and sometimes additional days like good Friday in England and Wales.
  • The key distinction: employers can include bank holidays as part of the statutory minimum annual leave entitlement (28 days for full‑time workers) (Parakar Group (business advisory firm)).

Statutory holiday entitlement in the UK 2024

  • Full‑time workers are entitled to at least 28 days paid annual leave, which can include bank holidays (GOV.UK (UK government official website)).
  • Part‑time workers receive a pro‑rata equivalent.
  • If an employer chooses to grant bank holidays on top of the minimum, the worker effectively gets more than 28 days off.
  • Scotland and Northern Ireland, with their extra bank holidays, give local workers two more public days off than those in England and Wales, but the statutory minimum stays 28 days.
The upshot

A full‑time employee in Edinburgh (Scotland, 10 bank holidays) could legally receive the same 28 days off as one in London (8 bank holidays)—the difference is that the Edinburgh worker’s leave allowance includes more already‑designated public days, leaving fewer free‑choice days to schedule.

The implication: more bank holidays do not automatically mean more total days off.

Is 25 and 26 December a bank holiday in the UK?

  • Yes: 25 December (Christmas Day) and 26 December (Boxing Day) are bank holidays across the entire UK (GOV.UK (UK government official website)).
  • When Christmas Day falls on a weekend (as in 2022 and 2023), a substitute weekday is declared—usually the following Monday and Tuesday.
  • In 2024 both days fall mid‑week (Wednesday and Thursday), so no substitution is needed.

The implication: for 2024, the Christmas‑New Year break is two working days off (Wednesday–Thursday), leaving most offices closed Friday through Monday anyway—effectively a four‑day weekend for many.

Are there always 8 bank holidays in the UK?

Historical variation in bank holiday numbers

  • England and Wales have had eight permanent bank holidays since 1974, when New Year’s Day was added.
  • Scotland gained St. Andrew’s Day as a bank holiday in 2006; prior to that it also had eight for decades.
  • Northern Ireland’s two cultural dates (St. Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne) have been observed formally since the early 20th century.

When extra bank holidays are added

  • The government may declare extra bank holidays for special royal or national events—for example, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 added one day.
  • In 2023, the Coronation of King Charles III did not trigger a new permanent holiday but some employers gave the day off voluntarily.
  • No extra bank holidays have been announced for 2024 beyond the permanent eight (or ten for Scotland/Northern Ireland) (GOV.UK (UK government official website)).

The pattern: the UK’s bank holiday count has been stable for decades, with rare additions for major events.

Which country has the most bank holidays?

UK bank holiday count vs. other countries

  • Within the UK, Scotland and Northern Ireland share the most at 10 bank holidays each.
  • England and Wales have the fewest at 8.
  • Globally, the UK ranks low for public holidays. Cambodia has the most at 28, while many European nations have 11–14 (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
  • The UK’s public holiday count places it near the bottom of developed economies—only Mexico and Japan have fewer among OECD members.

The trade‑off: a low holiday count means British workers typically get more flexible annual leave days to use at their discretion, compared to countries where many days are fixed public holidays.

Timeline: UK bank holidays 2024

  • 1 January 2024 — New Year’s Day (all UK)
  • 18 March 2024 — St. Patrick’s Day observed (Northern Ireland)
  • 29 March 2024 — Good Friday (all UK)
  • 1 April 2024 — Easter Monday (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)
  • 6 May 2024 — Early May bank holiday (all UK)
  • 27 May 2024 — Spring bank holiday (all UK)
  • 12 July 2024 — Battle of the Boyne (Northern Ireland)
  • 5 August 2024 — Summer bank holiday (Scotland)
  • 26 August 2024 — Summer bank holiday (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)
  • 30 November 2024 — St. Andrew’s Day (Scotland)
  • 25 December 2024 — Christmas Day (all UK)
  • 26 December 2024 — Boxing Day (all UK)

All dates from GOV.UK (UK government official website) and Good Tuesday (holiday planning website).

The implication: the timeline shows a clear seasonal pattern with spring and summer clusters.

Clarity check: what’s confirmed vs. unclear

Confirmed facts

  • England and Wales: 8 bank holidays in 2024 (GOV.UK)
  • Scotland: 10 bank holidays including St. Andrew’s Day (GOV.UK)
  • Northern Ireland: 10 bank holidays including St. Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne (GOV.UK)
  • Christmas and Boxing Day are bank holidays across the UK (GOV.UK)
  • Statutory annual leave minimum = 28 days (Parakar Group)

What remains unclear

  • Whether additional bank holidays will be declared for future royal or national events (no announcements beyond 2024)
  • Exact treatment of St. Andrew’s Day when 30 November falls on a weekend—employer discretion may change the observed date
  • Some third‑party sources list Scotland with 9 rather than 10 holidays—the discrepancy arises from counting rules (GroupAccommodation.com (holiday rental source))

Expert perspectives on UK bank holidays

“The UK government publishes a single official bank holiday page covering England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, including past and future dates.”

— GOV.UK (UK government official website)

“Bank holidays are public holidays during which many businesses and government offices close.”

— Parakar Group (business advisory firm)

“In 2024, England and Wales each had 8 bank holidays.”

— GroupAccommodation.com (holiday rental source)

Related reading: What Day Is Easter 2025 – Exact Date, UK Holidays & Key Facts · Glasgow Christmas Markets 2025: Dates, Venues & Tips

Additional sources

goodtuesday.com, parakar.eu, rippling.com

För en detaljerad genomgång av alla datum per region kan du jämföra med kompletta listan för 2024 som Nottingham Wire publicerade.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a bank holiday and a public holiday in the UK?

In everyday use they’re often the same, but technically a “bank holiday” is a specific type of public holiday when banks close. The UK has eight (or ten in Scotland/Northern Ireland) bank holidays, while “public holiday” can include additional days like good Friday in England and Wales, which is a common law holiday.

Do all UK workers get bank holidays off?

No. There is no statutory right to time off on bank holidays. Your employment contract determines whether you get the day off. Many employers grant them as extra paid leave, but they can also require you to work and give you another day off in lieu.

Can my employer make me work on a bank holiday?

Yes, unless your contract guarantees the day off. If you’re required to work, you must be paid normally and may receive time off in lieu or extra pay (though not legally required). Check your contract for the exact terms.

What happens if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?

A substitute weekday is usually declared, often the following Monday and Tuesday. For example, when Christmas and Boxing Day fell on Saturday and Sunday in 2022, the following Monday and Tuesday became bank holidays.

Are there any extra bank holidays in 2024 for special events?

No extra bank holidays have been announced for 2024 beyond the permanent set. The government hasn’t declared any special holiday for the first year of King Charles III’s reign.

How are bank holidays determined in the UK?

Each UK nation’s bank holidays are set by the UK government through legislation or royal proclamation. Scotland and Northern Ireland have additional dates based on their own cultural and historical events.

Is Good Friday always a bank holiday?

Yes, Good Friday is a bank holiday across all four UK nations, though in Scotland it’s a common law holiday rather than a statutory one. It always falls on a Friday and changes date each year with Easter.

Do schools close on bank holidays?

Yes, most schools in the UK close on bank holidays as they are part of the standard academic calendar. Local authorities may also designate additional inset days that coincide with bank holidays.

For anyone planning annual leave in 2024, the numbers are straightforward: eight days in England and Wales, ten in Scotland and Northern Ireland. But the real work comes in mapping those days against your contract’s leave policy. A worker in Glasgow who expects ten automatic days off may be disappointed to learn their employer counts bank holidays inside the statutory 28‑day allowance—meaning they have fewer discretionary days to choose. The smart move: check your HR policy before January rolls around, because a bank holiday you assumed was free might actually be one of your limited personal days.