Dates
UK bank holidays 2021
England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2021, Scotland has 9 and Northern Ireland has 10, according to the official GOV.UK list. 2 of the England and Wales dates are substitute days because the holiday falls on a weekend.
England and Wales bank holidays 2021
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Friday, 1 January 2021 | New Year’s Day |
| Friday, 2 April 2021 | Good Friday |
| Monday, 5 April 2021 | Easter Monday |
| Monday, 3 May 2021 | Early May bank holiday |
| Monday, 31 May 2021 | Spring bank holiday |
| Monday, 30 August 2021 | Summer bank holiday |
| Monday, 27 December 2021 | Christmas Day (substitute day) |
| Tuesday, 28 December 2021 | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
Scotland bank holidays 2021
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Friday, 1 January 2021 | New Year’s Day |
| Monday, 4 January 2021 | 2nd January (substitute day) |
| Friday, 2 April 2021 | Good Friday |
| Monday, 3 May 2021 | Early May bank holiday |
| Monday, 31 May 2021 | Spring bank holiday |
| Monday, 2 August 2021 | Summer bank holiday |
| Tuesday, 30 November 2021 | St Andrew’s Day |
| Monday, 27 December 2021 | Christmas Day (substitute day) |
| Tuesday, 28 December 2021 | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
Northern Ireland bank holidays 2021
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Friday, 1 January 2021 | New Year’s Day |
| Wednesday, 17 March 2021 | St Patrick’s Day |
| Friday, 2 April 2021 | Good Friday |
| Monday, 5 April 2021 | Easter Monday |
| Monday, 3 May 2021 | Early May bank holiday |
| Monday, 31 May 2021 | Spring bank holiday |
| Monday, 12 July 2021 | Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) |
| Monday, 30 August 2021 | Summer bank holiday |
| Monday, 27 December 2021 | Christmas Day (substitute day) |
| Tuesday, 28 December 2021 | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
Other years: 201920202022202320242025202620272028
Frequently asked questions
How many bank holidays are there in 2021?
England and Wales have 8, Scotland 9 and Northern Ireland 10.
What is a substitute day?
When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a weekday is usually given instead. GOV.UK marks these as substitute days.
Do employers have to give bank holidays off?
There is no legal right to paid leave on bank holidays. Employers can count them as part of the statutory 5.6 weeks of annual leave.
Dates checked against GOV.UK on 15 November 2026.