Summer Bank Holiday
36 days until Summer Bank Holiday
About Summer Bank Holiday
The Summer Bank Holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland falls on the final Monday of August, providing a three-day weekend before autumn begins. It is a public holiday in these three regions, whereas Scotland observes its summer bank holiday earlier in the month.
History
The official summer bank holiday was introduced across the United Kingdom under the Bank Holidays Act 1871, created by the banker and politician Sir John Lubbock. Originally, the holiday was celebrated on the first Monday of August, offering bank workers and the general public a designated day of leisure during the summer season.
In 1965, the UK government initiated a trial moving the holiday to the end of August in order to spread out holiday traffic and extend the summer trade. This arrangement was permanently formalised for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. Scotland chose not to adopt the late August date, retaining its holiday on the first Monday of August.
Traditions & Celebrations
The late August bank holiday weekend is traditionally marked by major outdoor events, music festivals, and family day trips. West London hosts the vibrant Notting Hill Carnival over the Sunday and Monday, celebrating Afro-Caribbean culture with music, street parades, and food stalls. Elsewhere, the Reading and Leeds Festivals draw large crowds for live music. Many people also take advantage of the extended weekend for seaside excursions, countryside walks, or completing DIY tasks at home.
Did you know?
- The early bank holidays were colloquially known as 'St Lubbock's Days' in tribute to Sir John Lubbock, who drafted the original 1871 legislation.
- London's Notting Hill Carnival, held over this bank holiday weekend, is one of the largest street festivals in Europe, attracting around two million attendees annually.
- Because Scotland observes its summer bank holiday on the first Monday of August, Scottish businesses and schools operate as normal on the late August bank holiday.
- The long weekend is consistently one of the busiest periods for road travel in the UK, as millions of people make trips before the start of the new school year.
Summer Bank Holiday dates by year
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the late August bank holiday a national holiday across all of the UK?
No. It is a statutory public holiday in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland only. Scotland observes its summer bank holiday on the first Monday in August.
How is the date of the Summer Bank Holiday determined?
In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, it is held on the last Monday of August each year.
Do public transport services operate normally on the Summer Bank Holiday?
Most bus, train, and underground services operate on a reduced Sunday schedule, and major rail engineering works are frequently planned over the three-day weekend.