United Kingdom Public Holidays 2020
United Kingdom Public Holidays 2021
United Kingdom Public Holidays 2022
United Kingdom Public Holidays 2023
United Kingdom Public Holidays 2024
New Year’s Day is the year’s first day, and it falls exactly a week after Christmas Day of the year before. It is a public holiday in countries that follow the Gregorian calendar, except for Israel. Therefore, it is the world’s most widely publicly-observed holiday. New Year’s Day is big in the UK, and there are a lot of events to look forward to.
Saint Patrick is Ireland’s patron saint, and it is celebrated because he brought Christianity to Ireland. They think he grew up in Britain during the time of the Romans and was kidnapped to become a slave in Ireland. When he was free again, he trained to become a priest. By the time he went back to Ireland, he had converted thousands of people to become Christians.
When you first think about it, Good Friday sounds like a counterintuitive name for a day that marks the crucifixion of Jesus, but the origin explains it better. There are a couple of explanations why it was named like that, and you can take your pick: Some people say that it comes from using “Good” is an adjective that is applied to that day, which is a synonym for “holy” in Old English.
A lot of folklore traditions have their origins strongly planted during the Dark Ages, and that was the pre-Christian era. Even if pagan-related celebrations are fading as Europe adopted Christianity, schools, and churches in Europe started a more secular version of observing this day. During the UK May Day, traditions and dancing the Maypole and crowning the May Queen happen.
Late May Bank Holiday in the UK is a secular holiday, and it is a day when a lot of the government offices, schools, and businesses are closed. It is always celebrated on the last Monday of May. When it was first created, it was on the Monday after Pentecost, which is also called Whit Monday. Eventually, the Banking and Financial Dealings Act of 1971 moved it to the last Monday of May.
Election Day is an official paid holiday in the United Kingdom, for full-time and regular employees in the UK. The full-time staff is entitled to receive nine paid holidays in the UK, aside from 4 days of “bonus” days, which are normally approved as paid leave between Christmas and New Year. In the 2020-2021 academic year, there are four additional paid bonus days for staff members in regular positions who are part of the academic area.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee marks the historic milestone of being head of state for 70 years, and it will be another bank holiday come summer of 2022. The culture secretary announced it. The May Bank Holiday Weekend is going to be on June 2 Thursday and another Bank Holiday on June 3 Friday. It is going to be a 4-day weekend as a celebration. It is the first time in history that a monarch reached this milestone in History.
The Battle of the Boyne started on July 1, 1690, which happened between William of Orange and James II as they crossed the River Boyne. It is near Drogheda town in the United Kingdom of Ireland, which is the Republic of Ireland today. William of Orange, a Dutch protestant, was recently crowned as the England, Ireland, and Scotland monarch when the ‘Glorious Revolution’ happened.
The August Bank Holiday is at the end of summer. In this 3-day weekend, a lot of people make short trips or go on holidays to see their family and friends in the UK. The government offices and many businesses will be closed during this holiday. The majority of shops and restaurants are open. For workers, the 3-day break is the last time they can enjoy summer. There are many events during this holiday, so people will always find entertainment whenever they want.
St. Andrew’s Day is celebrated nationally in Scotland, with feasts every November 30th. Aside from that, it is the national day of Scotland. This day marks the beginning of Scotland becoming a nation. When the leaves start falling to the ground, and the wind cools, the Scots begin the commemoration of their national day. The variations of this holiday are celebrated in Romania, Austria, Germany, Russia, and Poland.
Christmas Day is the peak of a festive period that lasts for at least two days. It depends on the calendar, which becomes a holiday period that stretches for a few days. It can also last up to 9 days, and it is one that people have been preparing for over a few months. The origin of a traditional Christmas Celebration is now distinct from an earlier pagan winter holiday, which dates back to 6th century England. In the middle ages, it was an important holiday that was well-established.
After Christmas Day comes Boxing Day, which is on December 26th, and only a few countries celebrate this holiday. It is mainly those that are connected to the UK and some European countries. December 26 is St. Stephen’s Day, but there are 2 St. Stephens in history. The 1st one was Jesus’ early follower and the first Christian Martyr. The 2nd one was a Missionary in Sweden during the 800s. He loved animals, but especially horses. He was also a martyr who was killed in Sweden by pagans.