This year, many people’s bank holiday plans were disrupted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and ensuing lockdown restrictions, which left the majority of the nation with very little to do during their time off.
But, as the end of 2020 approaches, thoughts are turning to the year ahead and the promise of better days.
While the three-tier system is meant to last till March in England, the arrival of the vaccine has given us some hope that 2021 will be the year Brits can use their bonus days to travel to the beach, spend time with friends and family, or jet off on a last-minute holiday.
So, whether you want to plan a far-flung getaway or strategically book some time off work, here are all the the bank holidays in 2021 for those living in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
2021 Bank and Public Holidays
New Year’s Day: Friday 1 January
St Patrick’s Day: Wednesday 17 March (Northern Ireland only)
Good Friday: Friday 2 April
Easter Monday: Monday 5 April
Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 3 May
Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 31 May
Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day): Monday 12 July (Northern Ireland only)
Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 2 August (Scotland only)
Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 30 August
St Andrew’s Day: Tuesday 30 November (Scotland only)
Christmas Day (substitute day): Monday 27 December
Boxing Day (substitute day): Tuesday 28 December
Other key dates to remember for 2021:
Burns Night: Monday 25 January
Chinese New Year: Friday 12 Feb
Valentine’s Day: Sunday 14 Feb
Shrove Tuesday: Tuesday 16 Feb
Ash Wednesday: Wednesday 17 Feb
St David’s Day: Monday 1 March
Mother’s Day: Sunday 14 March
Palm Sunday: Sunday 28 March
Holi: Monday 29 March
Ramadan: Tuesday 13 April
Father’s Day: Sunday 20 June
Eid ul Adha: Tuesday 20 July
Muharram: Tuesday 10 August
Rosh Hashanah: Tuesday 7 September
Yom Kippur: Thursday 16 September
Daylight saving time ends: Sunday 31 October
Halloween: Sunday 31 October
Guy Fawkes Night: Friday 5 November
Remembrance Day: Sunday 14 November
Diwali (TBC): Saturday 14 November
Hanukkah begins: Monday 29 November
St Andrew’s Day: Tuesday 30 November
Winter Solstice: Tuesday 21 December
You can read more about a holiday hack that will help you turn 19 days of leave into 48 full days off work in 2021, here.
