Whether you live in the UK or are just visiting, it’s important to make a note of the dates of UK holidays. That’s because many businesses and public institutions typically close or have reduced service on these days. In today’s article, we’ve compiled a list of all the UK public holidays you need to know about in 2023, as well as other important dates to mark in your calendar.
How many public holidays are there in the UK?
Public holidays in the UK are usually called bank holidays. Some UK bank holidays coincide with colorful UK festivals, which is a great way to sample the best of local British food.
In 2023, there are 9 public holidays in total.
It is important to note that UK bank holidays are slightly different across the four countries of the UK. For example, Northern Ireland has two more public holidays than England. These are St. Patrick’s Day and the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Scotland also has several holidays that only apply to certain regions.
When UK public holidays fall on a weekend, the following day of the week (often a Monday) usually becomes a replacement day for the UK national holiday.
Holidays in UK, in 2023
Below is a list of UK public holidays that have been confirmed for 2023
- January 1 (Sunday): New Year’s Day
- January 2 (Monday): New Year’s holiday
- January 3 (Tuesday): New Year’s holiday (Scotland)
- March 17 (Friday): St. Patrick’s Day (Northern Ireland)
- April 7 (Friday): Good Friday
- April 10 (Monday): Easter Monday
- May 1 (Monday): May 1 Bank Holiday
- May 8 (Monday): Coronation of King Charles III
- May 29 (Monday): Spring Bank Holiday
- July 12 (Wednesday): Battle of the Boyne (Northern Ireland)
- 7 August (Monday): Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland only)
- 28 August (Monday): Summer Bank Holiday (not in Scotland though)
- 30 November (Thursday): St Andrew’s Day (Scotland)
- December 25 (Monday): Christmas Day
- December 26 (Tuesday): Boxing Day
Last year, in 2022, it led to a four-day weekend when it was the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebration. In 2023 this will no longer apply. The Jubilee is celebrated to commemorate 70 years of the Queen’s reign and only applies for one year.
Holidays in UK in 2023 – England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
1. Holidays in UK – England and Wales
In the following list, you can find the UK public holidays for 2023 for England and Wales
| Date | Day |
| 2 January (Monday) | New Year’s Day Substitute Day |
| 7 April (Friday) | Good Friday |
| 10 April (Monday) | Easter Monday |
| 1 May (Monday) | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 8 May (Monday) | Coronation Bank Holiday |
| 29 May (Monday) | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 28 August (Monday) | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December (Monday) | Christmas Holiday |
| 26 December (Tuesday) | Boxing Day |
2. Holidays in UK – Scotland
For Scotland, you can find in the list below the UK public holidays for 2023:
| Date | Day |
| 2 January (Monday) | New Year’s Day Substitute Day |
| 3 January (Tuesday) | 2nd January Substitute Day |
| 7 April (Friday) | Good Friday |
| 10 April (Monday) | Easter Monday |
| 1 May (Monday) | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 8 May (Monday) | Coronation Bank Holiday |
| 29 May (Monday) | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 7 August (Monday) | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December (Monday) | Christmas Holiday |
| 26 December (Tuesday) | Boxing Day |
3. Holidays in UK – Northern Ireland
If you live in Northern Ireland, here are the bank holidays in 2023:
| Date | Day |
| 2 January (Monday) | New Year’s Day Substitute Day |
| 17 March (Friday) | St Patrick’s Day |
| 7 April (Friday) | Good Friday |
| 10 April (Monday) | Easter Monday |
| 1 May (Monday) | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 8 May (Monday) | Coronation Bank Holiday |
| 29 May (Monday) | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 12 July (Wednesday) | Battle of the Boyne Orangemen’s Day |
| 28 August (Monday) | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December (Monday) | Christmas Holiday |
| 26 December (Tuesday) | Boxing Day |
When is coronation day celebrated in 2023?
The coronation of His Majesty King Charles III will take place this year on Saturday, May 6. Also on this occasion, Monday, May 8 will be free. This will be valid across the UK and will give citizens ample opportunity to celebrate the big day.
Other public holidays in the UK, in 2023
- January 22 (Sunday): Chinese New Year
- January 25 (Wednesday): Burns Night – Scotland
- March 1 (Wednesday): Shrove Tuesday
- March 19 (Sunday): Mother’s Day
- March 22 (Wednesday): Ramadan begins
- April 21 (Friday): Eid al-Fitr
- June 18 (Sunday): Father’s Day
- September 24 (Sunday): Yom Kippur
- November 5 (Sunday): Guy Fawkes Night – sometimes called Bonfire Night
- November 12 (Sunday): Diwali
