England/Wales bank holidays vs Scotland/NI bank holidays
Side-by-side comparison, when-to-use-each guide, and instant conversion. Reviewed for 2026.
England and Wales — the standard UK bank holiday set.
Scotland (9 days) and Northern Ireland (10 days) — different dates for some holidays.
| Aspect | England/Wales bank holidays | Scotland/NI bank holidays |
|---|---|---|
| New Year | 1 Jan (all UK) | 2 Jan also (Scotland) |
| St Patrick's Day | Not bank holiday | 17 Mar (Northern Ireland) |
| Easter | Good Friday + Easter Mon | Good Friday (Scotland) + Easter Mon |
| 12 July | Not observed | Orangemen's Day (N. Ireland) |
| Christmas | 25 Dec + 26 Dec | Same |
| Total days | 8 (E/W) / 9 (Scotland) | 10 (Northern Ireland) |
Frequently asked
Are bank holidays in the UK different from public holidays?
Legally the same — 'bank holiday' and 'public holiday' are used interchangeably in the UK. The Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 governs bank holidays. Employees don't have an automatic right to take bank holidays off — it depends on their employment contract.
What's the difference between a bank holiday and a substitute bank holiday?
If Christmas or New Year falls on a weekend, a substitute bank holiday is given on the nearest weekday. In 2021, Christmas fell on Saturday/Sunday — substitute holidays on 27/28 December. This is why some years have bank holiday dates that appear to move.