Bank Holidays 2021: When Are The UK Bank Holidays This Year?
After the turbulent year that was 2020 (and, from the feel of it, 2021 so far), making annual leave plans for the UK's bank holidays this year may be at the bottom of your to-do list today.
However, one poignant lesson the last 12 months taught us is the importance of rest, relaxation and restoration. Whether you're crossing your fingers for a sunny holiday or have had a UK coastal cottage bookmarked on your Instagram page for what feels like years, one thing that's a surety this year is the list of key bank holiday dates in 2021.
With the easing of lockdown restrictions as of April 12, which allows for overnight stays - provided you remain within your household or support bubble, and Covid-19 vaccines continuing to roll out; there has never been a better time to look ahead to summer and the chance of safely seeing loved ones on much-needed breaks.
Here is everything you need to know about the bank holidays in 2021, from the dates to how many bank holidays we're getting in 2021, according to .Gov:
When is the May bank holiday 2021?
May Day usually takes place on the first Monday in May to mark the start of spring. Last year, however, the day was moved back to Friday May 8, 2020 to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
This year, normal proceedings will resume and the UK will celebrate the first May bank holiday (also known as the early May bank holiday) on Monday May 3.
We'll also have the chance to enjoy a second bank holiday that month on Monday May 31.
Here is a list of all the UK bank holidays 2021:
New Year’s Day: Friday January 1
New Year’s Holiday: Monday January 4 (2nd January substitute day)(Scotland only)
St Patrick’s Day: Wednesday March 17 (Northern Ireland only)
Good Friday: Friday April 2
Easter Monday: Monday April 5
Early May bank holiday: Monday May 3
Spring bank holiday: Monday May 31
Battle of the Boyne: Monday July 12 (Northern Ireland only)
Summer Bank Holiday: Monday August 2 (Scotland only)
Summer Bank Holiday: Monday August 30
St Andrew’s Day: Tuesday November 30 (Scotland only)
Christmas Day: Monday December 27
Boxing Day: Tuesday December 28
If you're yet to put in requests for annual leave, here's a top tip: maximise your Christmas break by taking off the time between December 25 2020 and January 3 2022 (two days annual leave on December 29 and December 30) in order to get a 10-day holiday.
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Other key dates to remember for 2021:
Burns Night: Monday January 25
Chinese New Year: Friday February 12
Valentine’s Day: Sunday February 14
Shrove Tuesday: Tuesday February 16
Ash Wednesday: Wednesday February 17
St David’s Day: Monday March 1
Mother’s Day: Sunday March 14
Palm Sunday: Sunday March 28
Holi: Monday March 29
Ramadan: Tuesday April 13
Father’s Day: Sunday June 20
Eid ul Adha: Tuesday July 20
Muharram: Tuesday August 10
Rosh Hashanah: Tuesday September 7
Yom Kippur: Thursday September 16
Daylight saving time ends: Sunday October 31
Halloween: Sunday October 31
Guy Fawkes Night: Friday November 5
Remembrance Day: Sunday November 14
Diwali (TBC): Saturday November 14
Hanukkah begins: Monday November 29
St Andrew’s Day: Tuesday November 30
Winter Solstice: Tuesday December 21
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