The next bank holiday is
Christmas Day
π Christmas 4-Day Weekend: Fri, 25 Dec β Mon, 28 Dec 2026 (in 49 days)
-Days
-Hours
-Mins
-Secs
π Coming Up Down The Road
- Boxing Day
- New Yearβs Day
- St Patrickβs Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- Early May bank holiday
- Spring bank holiday
π§ The Annual Leave Hack
Turn 4 days of leave into 9 straight days off
Planning ahead for next year? Book off the 4 days following a Monday bank holiday (Tuesday through Friday) to lock in 9 consecutive days away from your desk including both surrounding weekends. Peak opportunities occur during the Easter Break and early summer bank holidays.
π Opening Hours & FAQs
Are supermarkets open on bank holidays?
Yes, usually with reduced Sunday hours. Most large supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl) open from 8am or 10am to 4pm or 8pm on bank holiday Mondays. Convenience stores (Tesco Express, Sainsbury's Local) typically maintain normal hours. Note: Large stores in England & Wales legally must close on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.
Are banks and post offices open on bank holidays?
No, high-street branches are closed. Standard retail banking branches and Post Office counters close on all official UK bank holidays. Mobile and online banking continue to function, but interbank BACS payments may pause until the next standard business working day.
Do rubbish and recycling bin collections change on bank holidays?
Yes, schedules usually shift by one day. Many local councils roll collection days forward by 24 hours after a bank holiday Monday (e.g. Monday collections take place on Tuesday, Tuesday on Wednesday, through to Saturday). Always verify your specific local borough collection calendar.
Are employers legally required to give staff bank holidays off?
Not automatically. UK employment law does not mandate that bank holidays must be given as paid days off. Whether bank holidays are granted on top of your annual holiday allowance, included within your statutory 28 days, or required as working days depends entirely on your employment contract.
What happens if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?
If a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a 'substitute' weekday (almost always the following Monday) becomes the official public holiday so you don't lose a day off.
Are Scottish bank holidays different from England & Wales?
Yes. Scotland has 2 January off and St Andrew's Day (30 November), but does not observe Easter Monday or the late August bank holiday at the national government level (though many Scottish councils and businesses align with UK-wide dates).