Holidays

There are eight public holidays in the UK known as 'Bank Holidays' when most offices, banks and shops are closed, and public transport may run a reduced service. Whilst some of the dates may change annually, bank holidays traditionally occur at the following times of year:

  • New Year - 1st - 3rd January.
  • Good Friday - Early April.
  • Easter - Early April.
  • May Day - Start of May.
  • Spring - End of May.
  • Summer - End of August.
  • Christmas - 25th December.
  • Boxing Day - 26th December.

More information can be found on the government's Department for Business website.

 

Other celebrations

Bonfire night

Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night (or, more casually in recent times as Fireworks Night), is an annual celebration held in the UK on the evening of the 5th November to mark the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 5 November 1605, in which a number of Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, attempted to destroy the Houses of Parliament in London.

Celebrations take place in towns and villages across the country in the form of both private and civic events.  The festivities involve firework displays and the building of bonfires on which "guys" are traditionally burnt.  The "guys" are traditionally effigies of Guy Fawkes, the most famous of the Gunpowder Plot conspirators.  If you have not experienced bonfire night in the UK before, please note that the evening can be very busy and extremely noisy!