London Public & National Holidays (2026)

There are a total of eight bank holidays and public holidays in London every year, including religious and historical events. During public holidays, businesses and banks are closed throughout the capital.

Some tourist attractions and restaurants in London may also be closed or may observe shortened hours, including public transport. During special holidays such as Christmas and Boxing Day, public transport in London may be limited.

During Easter Sunday, most stores are closed and public transport is also reduced. These are called bank holidays because banks and other government offices and businesses are closed. The Bank Holidays Act of 1871 has set these dates. According to the Act, both Christmas and Good Friday are rest days but are not bank holidays. The Act was later replaced by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act which states a total of six bank holidays and two public holidays in the United Kingdom.

When are the public holidays in London?

What are the public holidays in London?

New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is celebrated every 1st Day of January to mark the start of the year.

Good Friday
Good Friday is observed in commemoration of Christ’s death. In London, this is a public holiday and not a bank holiday.

Easter Monday
Easter Monday is the holiday which remembers Christ’s resurrection after death.

Early May Bank Holiday
May Day Bank holiday is celebrated on first Monday of May6.

Spring Bank Holiday
The Spring Public Holiday marks the start of the spring season and is celebrated every end of May in London.

Summer Bank Holiday
Summer Bank holiday marks the start of summer and is celebrated every end of August in London.

Christmas Day
This holiday is celebrated every 25th of December, marking the birth of Jesus Christ.

Boxing Day
Boxing Day is the day after Christmas day, which is also a bank holiday in London.

What are the other holidays and observances in London?

These other holidays are also observed even without official days off for employees in London.

Valentine’s Day (14 February)
The Feast of Saint Valentine’s is celebrated every year on February 14.

St David’s Day (1 March)
This day marks the feast of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales.

St Patrick’s Day (17 March)
It is a religious and cultural celebration of the Feast of Saint Patrick held annually every 17th of March. He is the patron saint of Ireland.

Mothering Sunday (30 March)
This day is meant to celebrate Mothers all over the world.

St George’s Day (23 April)
The Feast of Saint George is celebrated by the Christian community in various countries, including the United Kingdom.

Father’s Day (17 June)
This day honors fathers and celebrating fatherhood and is celebrated every second week of June.

Halloween (31 October)
Halloween is the annual commemoration of the dead, including martyrs, saints, and all departed faithful.

Bonfire Night (5 November)
The Bonfire Night is also known as Guy Fawkes Day. It is a yearly commemoration every November 5 in the UK.

St. Andrew’s Day (30 November)
Saint Andrew’s Day is the feast day of Saint Andrew and is considered as Scotland’s official national day.

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