Bank holiday dates slightly across the UK: England and Wales always have the same bank holidays, but Scotland and Northern Ireland have some of their own dates.
For example, Scotland’s summer bank holiday falls at the start of August, rather than the end of the month.
All four nations used to mark the same date, following the implementation of the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, introduced by the Liberal Politician Sir John Lubbock.
However, the date for England, Wales and Northern Ireland moved permanently to the end of August in 1971, following a trial period which started in 1965.
Christmas Day falls on a Sunday in 2022, so its bank holiday will be moved, just as in 2021.
While the Boxing Day bank holiday falls as usual on 26 December, there will be a substitute Christmas day off on Tuesday 27 December, meaning the UK will once more get a four-day festive weekend.
Here are the 2022 bank holiday dates for the four UK nations in full, including the extra day off for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee:
England and Wales bank holidays 2022
Monday 3 January (New Year’s Day substitute)
Friday 15 April (Good Friday)
Monday 18 April (Easter Monday)
Monday 2 May (early May bank holiday)
Thursday 2 June (spring bank holiday)
Friday 3 June (Platinum Jubilee bank holiday)
Monday 29 August (summer bank holiday)
Monday 26 December (Boxing Day)
Tuesday 27 December (Christmas Day substitute)
Why is there an extra bank holiday for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee?
The Queen will mark the 70th anniversary of her accession on 6 February.
However, that date is also the anniversary of the death of her father King George VI, and therefore not one the monarch wishes to celebrate.
Instead, the first week of June has been chosen for the Platinum Jubilee weekend, just like the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees, with the summer month offering a better chance of good weather.
Plans are in place to stage a series of events across from 2-5 June, which will celebrate the Queen’s reign and her impact on both the UK and the world since her accession to the throne in 1952.
To create the four-day weekend, the late May spring bank holiday will be moved to Thursday 2 June, with an additional bank holiday created on Friday 3 June.
