UK Bank Holidays Calendar: Regional, School & LSE Market
Welcome to the official United Kingdom scheduling hub. Select an option below to access traditional bank holiday dates, country-specific regional leaves, school term breaks, and financial market trading closures.
Official nationwide public holidays and bank closures across the UK, including New Year and Christmas.
Country-specific holiday variations observed independently across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Academic term schedules, half-term breaks, and summer vacation timetables for UK primary and secondary schools.
Official non-trading days for the London Stock Exchange (LSE) alongside Bank of England settlement freezes.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why are public holidays called "Bank Holidays" in the United Kingdom?
The term originates from the Bank Holidays Act 1871, which officially designated specific days when banks and financial institutions were legally closed. Over time, these dates naturally became general public holidays observed by the wider workforce.
Q2: Do all four countries in the UK share the exact same holiday calendar?
No, holiday calendars vary by region. While many bank holidays are shared, Scotland and Northern Ireland observe unique days. For example, St. Andrew's Day is an official substitute day off in Scotland, and St. Patrick's Day is observed in Northern Ireland.
Q3: How are school term dates structured across local UK councils?
School holiday schedules are set independently by local education authorities (LEAs) or individual school academies. This means term dates and half-term holiday windows often vary slightly between neighboring councils.
Q4: What is a "Substitute Day" bank holiday in the UK?
If an official holiday like Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, the holiday is not lost. Instead, a "substitute day" is legally declared, moving the official bank day off to the following Monday or Tuesday.