Public holiday in United Kingdom
August Bank Holiday in United Kingdom
Monday, August 31, 2026
Regional public holiday
Observed in England, Northern Ireland, Wales
August Bank Holiday is a public holiday observed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It gives many people a late-summer day off at the end of August.
About August Bank Holiday in United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, August Bank Holiday is the late-summer public holiday observed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is the regular August day off in those countries and often marks a pause before the return to the autumn working and school calendar.
History
The August bank holiday developed from the 19th-century bank holiday movement in Britain, when specific public holidays were set out in law. Its late-August timing in England, Wales and Northern Ireland became part of the established holiday calendar rather than a date tied to a single historical event.
Traditions
Many people use the day for family time, short trips, outdoor gatherings and summer leisure. In some places, local fairs, carnivals and community events are scheduled for the bank holiday weekend.
How August Bank Holiday is celebrated in United Kingdom
The holiday is commonly treated as part of a long weekend, with many workplaces and schools closed for the day where the holiday applies. Parks, seaside towns and other leisure destinations often see heavier visitor numbers, and some local events are planned around the date.
Interesting facts
Scotland does not observe this holiday on the same date. The holiday is often referred to informally as the “late August bank holiday” to distinguish it from the spring bank holiday.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | — | England, Wales, Northern Ireland |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.