UK bank holidays are set by royal proclamation. England and Wales share the same 8 bank holidays. Scotland and Northern Ireland have additional days (e.g., St Andrew's Day in Scotland, Battle of the Boyne in Northern Ireland). When Christmas or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday is designated.
UK bank holidays are set by royal proclamation. England and Wales share the same 8 bank holidays, while Scotland and Northern Ireland observe several additional dates — St Andrew's Day (Scotland) and Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen's Day (Northern Ireland) are common examples. When Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday is designated so the total number of bank holidays stays consistent year to year.
See how holidays affect each month's working day count:
Do Scotland and Northern Ireland have the same bank holidays as England?
No, Scotland and Northern Ireland each observe several additional bank holidays beyond the 8 shared by England and Wales, such as St Andrew's Day in Scotland.
What happens when Christmas Day falls on a weekend in the UK?
A substitute bank holiday is designated on the next available weekday, ensuring employees don't lose the day off even when Christmas or Boxing Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
How are UK bank holidays officially set?
UK bank holidays are established by royal proclamation for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, while Scotland's bank holidays are set separately under Scottish common law and local authority tradition.
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