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The United Kingdom celebrates a variety of public holidays, such as New Year's Day, Easter, and Christmas. Each of the four constituent countries (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) has its own set of public holidays, which means that the specific holidays celebrated may vary depending on the country. The UK also observes several religious holidays, primarily Christian holidays like Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Christmas Day.
In addition to these national holidays, various regions within the UK celebrate their own local holidays, such as St. Patrick's Day in Northern Ireland, St. Andrew's Day in Scotland, and St. David's Day in Wales. These regional holidays showcase the diverse cultural heritage and traditions present throughout the United Kingdom.
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UK public holidays in 2024
UK public holidays in 2025
Informal UK public holidays in 2024
- January 25 (Thursday): Burns Night – Scotland
- January 22 (Monday): Lunar New Year
- February 13 (Tuesday): Shrove Tuesday
- March 1 (Friday): St. David's Day – Wales
- March 10 (Sunday): Mother’s Day
- March 11 (Monday): Ramadan begins (Note: Islamic holidays are based on lunar observations and can vary)
- March 31 (Sunday): British Summer Time (BST) starts
- April 10 (Wednesday): Eid al-Fitr (Note: Islamic holidays are based on lunar observations and can vary)
- April 23 (Tuesday): St. George's Day – England
- June 16 (Sunday): Father’s Day
- September 14 (Saturday): Yom Kippur (Note: Jewish holidays begin at sunset the day before the date specified)
- October 31 (Thursday): Halloween
- November 10 (Sunday): Remembrance Day
- November 3 (Sunday): Diwali (Note: Hindu festivals are based on lunar calendar and can vary slightly)
- October 27 (Sunday): British Summer Time (BST) ends
- November 5 (Tuesday): Guy Fawkes Night
Types of holidays in the United Kingdom
There are several types of holidays in the UK, including:
UK public holidays
There are nine public holidays recognised across the UK in 2024. These holidays include national holidays like New Year's Day and Christmas Day, as well as country-specific holidays like St. Patrick's Day in Northern Ireland and St. Andrew's Day in Scotland. These public holidays are observed by most businesses, schools, and public institutions.
UK religious holidays
The United Kingdom primarily observes Christian holidays such as Easter, Good Friday, and Christmas. While these holidays have religious significance, they are also celebrated in a more secular manner by many people in the UK, with traditions like Easter egg hunts and Christmas markets.
UK regional holidays
In addition to national public holidays, each constituent country within the UK has its own regional holidays. Examples include St. Patrick's Day in Northern Ireland, St. Andrew's Day in Scotland, and St. George's Day in England. These regional holidays reflect the unique cultural heritage and traditions of each country.
Easter in the UK
Easter in the UK is a religious holiday celebrated by Christians, commemorating the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter in the United Kingdom is from April 18th - April 20th 2025. Church services and family gatherings are common during this time, with many people attending mass or other religious events.
How public holidays work in the United Kingdom
On public holidays, most businesses, schools, and public institutions are closed. However, there are some exceptions, such as grocery stores, which may have limited hours. Public transport often operates on a reduced schedule, so it's essential to check timetables beforehand.
Employers are required by law to provide their employees with a minimum of 5.6 weeks (28 days) of paid holiday each year (prorated for part-time employees), which includes public holidays. However, employers are not required to provide additional time off for public holidays that fall outside the 5.6 weeks of paid holiday leave. Many employers do offer paid time off for public holidays as a benefit to their employees.
