Holidays

Holidays in Great Britain

In Great Britain, the term “Bank Holidays” is used to refer to public holidays. The nationally uniform and mandatory days off were first enshrined in the Bank Holiday Act in 1871. There are also complementary holidays that are closely linked to the historical development of each part of the United Kingdom and are celebrated only in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland respectively. An example would be the (Northern) Irish St. Patrick’s Day.

If New Year’s Day or the Christmas holiday falls on the weekend, the next regular working day is free for it.

Overview

New Year’s Day – January 1

Charlemagne Friday (“Good Friday”) – two days before Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday – Sunday after the first full moon in spring

Easter Monday – one day after Easter Sunday (except Scotland, where January 2 is free for this)

Early May Bank Holiday – on the first Monday in May

Spring Bank Holiday – on the last Monday in May

1st Christmas Day (“Christmas Day”) – on December 25

2nd Christmas Day (“Boxing Day”) – on December 26

Summer Bank Holiday – on the first Monday in August (Scotland) or the last Monday in August (England/ Wales/ Northern Ireland)

St. Patrick’s Day – on March 17 (in the United Kingdom only Northern Ireland

What to know about selected holidays

Early Bank Holiday or May Day

On the one hand, in reference to Labor Day, the holiday is marked by demonstrations by workers who want to draw attention to their situation and assert their rights. On the other hand, joyful celebrations, dances around the maypole and the election of a may queen finally drive away winter and welcome the fertile summer half-year. Everything is colourfully decorated with blossoms and flower garlands.

Christmas Day

On Christmas Eve, British children wait in vain for Father Christmas. They don’t get their presents until the morning of Christmas Day, the actual Christmas. After unwrapping the presents, the family gets together for the traditional Christmas feast. According to old custom, this includes Brussels sprouts, roast potatoes, stuffed turkey and plum pudding, in which lucky charms or coins are hidden for the children. It is celebrated boisterously with paper hats and popping sweets as the British hark back to King Arthur with their Christmas customs, at whose court a colourful feast was celebrated with minstrels and acrobats.

In the afternoon, everyone gathers in front of the television to watch the Queen’s Christmas address – a custom that has existed since 1932, when it was established by King George over the radio.

St. Patrick’s Day

The national holiday of all the Irish dates back to Irish Bishop Patrick, the island’s first Christian missionary and patron saint of all Irish. Every year an upbeat folk festival is celebrated, people get together with friends and family. Although St. Patrick is a public holiday only in Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom, there are also festivities and a parade in London.

Traditionally, the color green dominates, and everywhere is decorated with shamrocks. Even the beer has been dyed green. Because St. Patrick’s Day is always during Lent, and cheerful alcohol consumption, at least during the day, is not very compatible with the Lenten rites, the Irish are expressly allowed a break from fasting.