UK Public Holidays 2024: Essential Dates to Remember

As you plan your activities and events for 2024, it's important to keep track of the official public holidays. Public holidays affect businesses, as well as schools and transportation services, so being informed ahead of time will help ensure your team and organsiation are ready well ahead of time.

The United Kingdom consists of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, each with its own set of public holidays. While some holidays are celebrated across all parts of the UK, others are specific to individual countries – and with remote and distributed teams becoming ever more common, it’s important to make sure you’re aware of upcoming public holidays in every region.

To keep up with the latest news about any potential changes to these holiday dates, make sure to regularly check for updates and official announcements.

What You Need To Know About UK Bank Holidays

While many of us look forward to our bank holidays as an extra day off, it's important to understand how these public holidays impact your employees and business operations. While there is no statutory requirement for most companies to give staff the day off on bank holiday dates, full-time workers are entitled to at least 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave per year, which typically includes bank holidays.

When it comes to pay, there's no legal obligation to offer enhanced wages if an employee needs to work on a bank holiday. However, we've found it can be a nice bonus for employees to receive double pay or extra holiday for pitching in when others have the day off. Just be sure to get any bank holiday pay agreements in writing, as you'll want to follow through if it's in an employment contract.

Overall, try to be flexible while also managing expectations. Communicate your bank holiday policies clearly so everyone knows where they stand. With a little understanding on both sides, you can find an arrangement that works for your business and hardworking staff. Just remember - it never hurts to show appreciation to those who keep things running year-round!

Stay Informed on Public Holidays

When determining the UK public holidays for 2024, it's crucial to rely on official sources like Gov.UK. This helps ensure accuracy and credibility in the information you receive. It's essential to be aware that the holiday dates may be subject to change as they can be modified by the government.

To determine the dates for 2024 bank holidays in the UK and ensure you stay organised, be sure to:

1. Consult official sources: Look for reliable information from the official UK government website, such as the bank holiday page on Gov.UK. This page will provide you with the most current and accurate dates for bank holidays across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
2. Cross-reference other sources: Verify the public holiday dates by checking other trusted resources like publicholidays.co.uk. This can help confirm the accuracy of the information you obtain.
3. Stay up-to-date: As dates may be modified, it's important to regularly check back with the official sources for any updates to the public holiday calendar. It’s worth doing this at the end of each quarter to ensure the next few months will run smoothly.

Holiday Dates for England and Wales

New Year and Early Year Holidays

In 2024, you can ease into the year with New Year's Day on Monday, January 1. Unfortunately,  January 2 is not a bank holiday in England and Wales, so you will have to return to your regular schedule after New Year's Day. In February, while not a public holiday, you can also look forward to Valentine's Day on the 14th.

Spring Holidays

As spring arrives, there are a few bank holidays to enjoy in England and Wales. The first one is Good Friday on March 29, followed by Easter Sunday on March 31 and Easter Monday on April 1. The next bank holiday is Early May Bank Holiday on Monday, May 6. Late May offers another break with the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday, May 27. And don’t forget to send a card and flowers on Mother's Day, which falls on March 10 – although it is not a bank holiday.

Summer Holidays

With the arrival of summer and the June Solstice, be prepared to celebrate Father's Day on June 16, even though it's not a public holiday. The Summer Bank Holiday is a well-deserved break and takes place on Monday, August 26 in England and Wales.

Autumn and Winter Holidays

As the year progresses, you can enjoy Halloween on October 31 and mark Remembrance Sunday on November 10, but these occasions are not bank holidays. The next public holiday is Christmas Day on Wednesday, December 25, followed by Boxing Day on Thursday, December 26. And don't forget that Daylight Saving Time ends on October 27, so make sure to adjust your clocks accordingly.

Public Holidays in Scotland

Early in the Year Holidays

At the beginning of the year, Scotland and its people observe some distinctly regional holidays. Scotland celebrates ****January 2 as a bank holiday, making for a two-day holiday event in combination with New Year's Day. While not a public holiday, many Scots celebrate Burns Night on January 25.

The next bank holidays in Scotland are shared with England and Wales: Good Friday on March 29, followed by Easter Sunday. Easter Monday, however, is not a nationwide bank holiday although some councils do claim it as one, since local councils in Scotland have the power to make certain days local public holidays.

The Spring Equinox on Wednesday, March 20 is not an official holiday, but it marks the changing of seasons and is a time of traditional celebration among many Scottish communities.

Mid-Year Holidays

The Early May Bank Holiday on May 6 and Spring Bank Holiday on May 27 are the same as England and Wales, but the Summer Bank Holiday falls earlier in Scotland on Monday, August 5.

End-of-Year Holidays

As the year draws to a close, Scotland celebrates St. Andrew's Day, the feast day of the country’s patron saint. In 2024 the holiday falls on Saturday, November 30, so the bank holiday will take place on the substitute day of Monday, December 2.

All Saints' Day, while not a public holiday is another end-of-year observance, taking place on November 1, where many remember and honor the saints and other deceased loved ones. Finally, the festive season officially begins with the First Sunday of Advent leading up to the Christmas holidays which, as in England and Wales, take place on Christmas Day and Boxing Day on December 25 and 26.

Holidays in Northern Ireland

Early Throughout the Year Holidays

In 2024, Northern Ireland will have a few bank holidays to look forward to. One of the main holidays in the early part of the year is St. Patrick's Day, which falls on March 17. Since the holiday falls on a Sunday in 2024 the bank holiday will be taken on the substitute day of Monday, March 18. As the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick's Day is an important cultural and religious holiday for people in Northern Ireland.

Throughout spring, Northern Ireland observes the same public holidays as England and Wales, with the Easter observances on Friday, March 29 and Monday, April 1. Northern Ireland also observes the Early May Bank Holiday and Spring Bank Holiday on May 6 and 27, respectively.

Mid and Late-Year Holidays

Another notable public holiday in Northern Ireland is the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, on Friday July 12, a significant event in Northern Irish history that occurred in 1690. This is followed by the same August Bank Holiday as observed in England and Wales, on the last Monday of August. Falling on August 26 in 2024, this holiday signals the end of the summer and is an opportunity for one last getaway before autumn arrives.

Northern Ireland typically observes the UK-wide Christmas Day and Boxing Day celebrations,  enjoying a festive winter break towards the end of the year.

Get Set for 2024

Having a good grasp of the UK public holidays is key for HR folks to make sure that everyone's entitlements are correctly updated and all regulations are followed. Remember that when bank holiday dates fall on weekends, they move to alternate weekdays, so do keep an eye out for any special occasions where additional days-off may be declared. Full-time and part-time workers have different rights, and it's important to stay informed and on top of things to give everyone fair and comparable benefits while making sure everything runs smoothly.

flair is the perfect partner for an organized and efficient 2024. With our comprehensive Absence Management system you can import public holidays into your employees’ calendars, and ensure that all working hours are recorded with our Time Tracking feature.

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