The August bank holiday 2024 falls on two different dates depending on where you are in the UK. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the holiday is on Monday 26 August 2024, the last Monday of the month. Scotland observes its Summer bank holiday on Monday 5 August 2024, the first Monday of August. This regional split has been standard for decades and remains one of the most notable differences in the UK bank holiday calendar.
The holiday is a statutory public holiday in all four UK nations. Many people use the long weekend for travel, festivals and time with family. In 2024, the late-August date in England, Wales and Northern Ireland coincides with the Notting Hill Carnival in London, one of the largest street festivals in Europe.
Businesses operating across the UK often adjust their schedules in August to account for the two different holiday dates. Staffing, delivery times and customer service hours may differ between Scotland and the rest of the country during this period.
When is the August Bank Holiday 2024 in England?
Monday, 26 August 2024
England, Wales, Northern Ireland (Late Summer); Scotland (Early August – 5 August 2024)
Summer Bank Holiday (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)
Statutory public holiday in all UK nations
- The August bank holiday 2024 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland falls on Monday 26 August 2024 – the last Monday of August. Source: gov.uk
- In Scotland, the Summer bank holiday is observed on Monday 5 August 2024 (first Monday in August). Source: gov.uk
- The 2024 date is consistent with the long-standing tradition: late August for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, early August for Scotland.
- The August bank holiday is one of eight permanent bank holidays in England and Wales, and one of nine in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Source: gov.uk
| Nation | Date | Name | Day of Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 26 August 2024 | Summer Bank Holiday | Monday |
| Wales | 26 August 2024 | Summer Bank Holiday | Monday |
| Northern Ireland | 26 August 2024 | Summer Bank Holiday | Monday |
| Scotland | 5 August 2024 | Summer Bank Holiday | Monday |
What Are All UK Bank Holidays in 2024?
List of bank holidays in England and Wales for 2024
England and Wales share the same bank holiday schedule. In 2024, the eight permanent holidays include New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the Early May bank holiday, the Spring bank holiday, the Summer bank holiday (26 August), Christmas Day and Boxing Day. No substitute holidays were needed for 2024 because none of the fixed-date holidays fell on a weekend.
Bank holidays in Scotland for 2024
Scotland has nine permanent bank holidays. The schedule differs from England and Wales due to separate traditions and legislation. The Scottish Summer bank holiday falls on 5 August 2024, the first Monday of August. Scotland also observes 2 January and St Andrew’s Day as additional bank holidays not seen in the rest of the UK.
Full UK bank holiday calendar for 2024
The official list of all UK bank holidays for 2024 is published by the UK government. The calendar covers all four nations and includes past and future dates. For a complete overview, see the UK bank holidays 2024 – complete list.
Northern Ireland has the same bank holidays as England and Wales, with the addition of two extra: St Patrick’s Day (17 March) and the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne (12 July). In 2024, St Patrick’s Day fell on a Sunday, so the substitute holiday was Monday 18 March.
Does the August Bank Holiday Date Differ Across UK Nations?
Scotland observes an earlier date
Scotland has always kept the August bank holiday on the first Monday of the month. In 2024, that is 5 August. This dates back to the original Bank Holidays Act 1871, which set the first Monday in August for the whole UK. When the date was moved for England and Wales in the 1960s and 1970s, Scotland retained the original timing.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland use the last Monday
The late-August date – Monday 26 August 2024 – applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This change was formalised by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 after a trial period in the 1960s. The move was intended to better align with industrial holiday patterns and the traditional summer shutdown.
Practical impact of the regional difference
Businesses that operate across the UK often have to manage two different August holiday schedules. This can affect staffing levels, delivery times, customer service availability and project planning. Anyone organising events or travel that involve multiple UK nations should check which date applies in each location.
How Does the 2024 Date Compare to Previous and Future Years?
Comparison with 2023
In 2023, the August bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland fell on 28 August. In Scotland it was 7 August. The 2024 dates are each one week earlier than in 2023, which is a normal shift given the way the last Monday and first Monday rules work.
Future dates for 2025, 2026 and 2027
The pattern is predictable. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the August bank holiday will be on 25 August 2025, 31 August 2026 and 30 August 2027. In Scotland, it will be on 4 August 2025, 3 August 2026 and 2 August 2027. For a full guide to next year, see the August bank holiday 2025 – date and guide.
While future dates are predictable based on the current rules, they are subject to parliamentary confirmation. No changes to the August bank holiday legislation have been announced for the coming years.
When Was the August Bank Holiday 2023 and What Are the Future Dates?
- 2023 – England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 28 August. Scotland: 7 August.
- 2024 – England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 26 August. Scotland: 5 August.
- 2025 – England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 25 August. Scotland: 4 August.
- 2026 – England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 31 August. Scotland: 3 August.
- 2027 – England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 30 August. Scotland: 2 August.
These dates follow the established rules: last Monday of August for England, Wales and Northern Ireland; first Monday of August for Scotland. The official historical list is maintained by the UK government and can be accessed at the GOV.UK – Past and future bank holiday dates page.
Are There Any Substitute Bank Holidays in 2024?
Established information
- The August bank holiday 2024 dates are fixed and published by the UK government.
- Future dates are predictable (last Monday of August for England, Wales and Northern Ireland; first Monday of August for Scotland) but subject to parliamentary confirmation.
- No changes for 2024 were announced.
Information that remains unclear
- Possible future legislation could move the holiday, for example proposals for a UK-wide fixed date.
- Substitute holidays may be declared if the date coincides with Christmas or Boxing Day, but this does not apply for 2024.
In 2024, no substitute bank holidays are needed because all fixed-date holidays fall on their usual days. The August bank holiday itself is on a Monday, so no substitution is required.
What is the History and Purpose of the August Bank Holiday?
The August bank holiday originated with the Bank Holidays Act 1871, which established the first statutory bank holidays in the UK. The August holiday was one of the original holidays and was unique among the 1871 holidays in that it was not tied to an Anglican religious festival. The act was introduced by Sir John Lubbock.
The holiday was intended to give workers a final summer break before the long stretch to Christmas. Some accounts suggest it was also chosen with sporting and leisure patterns in mind. In the 1960s, the date was moved experimentally in England and Wales to the end of August to better fit industrial holiday patterns and reduce clashes with the traditional summer shutdown period.
Edward Heath announced the trial in 1964. It began in 1965 and lasted two years. During the trial and the interim period that followed, the exact date was sometimes announced ad hoc each year. In 1968 and 1969, the holiday actually fell in September because the last Monday of August logic placed it there. The arrangement was made permanent by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, which remains the principal legislation in force today. Scotland retained the first Monday of August under the same act.
Where Can I Find Official Information About UK Bank Holidays?
The primary official source for all UK bank holiday dates is the GOV.UK – UK bank holidays page. It lists dates for all four nations and includes a downloadable calendar feed. The Wikipedia – August Bank Holiday article provides well-referenced historical context and explains the regional variations in detail. For a general overview of what bank holidays are and how they work, the BBC – What are bank holidays? explainer is a useful starting point.
The August bank holiday is one of the original bank holidays established in 1871, and it was the only one not linked to a religious festival.
Wikipedia – August Bank Holiday
In Scotland, the Summer bank holiday falls on the first Monday in August, reflecting the original date set by the Bank Holidays Act 1871.
GOV.UK – UK bank holidays
What Is the Bottom Line for the August Bank Holiday 2024?
For 2024, the August bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is on Monday 26 August. In Scotland it is on Monday 5 August. The holiday has its roots in the Bank Holidays Act 1871, was moved for England and Wales after a trial in the 1960s, and is currently governed by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. For a full rundown of all bank holidays across the UK, see the UK bank holidays 2024 – complete list.
Frequently Asked Questions About the August Bank Holiday 2024
Is the August bank holiday a statutory holiday?
Yes, it is a statutory bank holiday in all UK nations, though employment rights regarding pay and time off may vary depending on the employment contract.
Are shops open on the August bank holiday?
Many shops open with reduced hours. Large supermarkets often remain open, but smaller retailers may close. It is not a mandatory closure day.
What happens if the August bank holiday falls on a weekend?
When it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute weekday (usually the following Monday) is declared. In 2024, it falls on a Monday, so no substitute is needed.
Does the August bank holiday always occur on the last Monday of August?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, yes – it is the last Monday of August. In Scotland, it is the first Monday of August.
Is the August bank holiday 2024 a public holiday in London?
Yes, the August bank holiday is a public holiday in London as part of England. Monday 26 August 2024 applies in the capital.
Why is the August bank holiday sometimes called the Summer bank holiday?
The formal name in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is Summer Bank Holiday. August Bank Holiday is a common alternative used in everyday speech.
When was the August bank holiday first introduced?
The August bank holiday was first introduced in 1871 by the Bank Holidays Act, which was championed by Sir John Lubbock.
Daniel Mercer is Urban Affairs Editor at DailyCity.co.uk, covering councils, City Hall, planning, transport and infrastructure across London and major UK cities.