Engelse feestdagen

What and when are \'bank\' holidays?

Bank Holidays - 2003 and 2006

British bank holidays have been recognized since 1871. The phrase \"Bank Holiday\" comes from the time when banks were shut and no trading could take place. Even though Banks are still closed on these days many shops now remain open.

Traditionally on a Bank Holiday many businesses are closed to enable the workers to have a holiday. This time is often spent with the family on mini breaks and outings. Anyone who works on Bank Holidays usually gets paid extra - \"time-and-a-half\" or even \"double time,\" negotiated for them by their trades union.

In England and Wales there are six bank holidays: New Year\'s Day, Easter Monday, May Day (not necessarily 1 May), Spring and Late Summer Holidays at the end of May and August respectively, and Boxing Day. There are also two common law holidays on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Scotland has nine public holidays: New Year\'s Day, January 2, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day (not necessarily 1 May), Spring and Summer Holidays at the end of May and the beginning of August respectively, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
In Northern Ireland there are seven bank holidays: New Year\'s Day, St. Patrick\'s Day (17 March), Easter Monday, May Day (not necessarily 1 May), Spring and Late Summer Holidays at the end of May and August respectively, and Boxing Day. There are also two common law holidays on Good Friday and Christmas Day and a public holiday on the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne (12 July).

What happens when bank holidays fall on a weekend?

There are holidays in lieu of those public holidays which fall at weekends.
Shops, museums and other public attractions, such as historic houses and sports centres, may close on certain public holidays, particularly Christmas Day.

Here are the dates of the special and Holidays in England.

January
1 - New Years Day (Bank Holiday / Public Holiday)
1 - The New Year\'s Day Parade – London starts as Big Ben strikes 12 Noon
6 - Twelfth Night (Christian)
Christian observance of the close of Christmastide.
12 - Plough Monday
22 - Chinese New Year - This is the first day in the Year of the Monkey.
Colourful celebrations occur London and Manchester Chinatowns
25 - Chinese New Year Celebrations - Soho, London.

February
2 - Candlemas Day (Christian festival)
14 - St Valentines Day
24 - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Day (Christian)
Christian carnival day on the eve of Ash Wednesday, which begins Lent, a time of fasting and devotions. Pancakes are often served. The day concludes the season of Epiphany.
24 - The Great Spitalfields Pancake Race
Teams of four race up and down the market to raise funds for charity at 12.30 pm.
Old Spitalfields Market, Brushfield Street,
24 - St Mathias Day
25 - Ash Wednesday (The start of lent, Christian festival)
Christian observance to begin the 40-day season of Lent. Ashes are marked on worshippers as a sign of penitence
29 - Leap Day

March
1 - St David\'s Day (Patron Saint of Wales)
Celebrated in Wales in honour of Dewi Sant or St David, the patron saint of Wales. Many Welsh people wear a daffodil which is a national emblem of Wales.
4 - Crufts Dog Show Birmingham
5 - St Piran\'s Day Cornwall
All over Cornwall celebrations are staged for St Piran\'s Day.
8 - Commonwealth Day
People use the day to promote understanding about global issues. Each year there is a different theme.
21 - First Day of Spring
21- Mothers Day (3 weeks before Easter)
21 - Simnel Sunday
The fourth Sunday in Lent when Simnel cakes are eaten.
28 - Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race
28 - British Summer Time Begins (daylight savings = clocks go forward 1 hour)

April
1 - Beginning of Financial Year
1 - April Fool\'s Day
Just like in the Netherlands. You have to play the joke before 12 o’clock midday.
4 - Palm Sunday ( Christian Festival)
Christian celebration of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The day begins Holy Week. It is observed by worship celebrations and parades using palm branches.
8 - Maundy Thursday ( Christian Festival)
Christian observance of the first Lord\'s Supper during Holy Week.
9 - Good Friday (Bank Holiday) (Christian Festival)
Christian remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus and related events.
9 - Christian Aid Week
11 - Easter Sunday (Easter Day) (Christian Festival)
The most holy of Christian sacred days. The day commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from his death by crucifixion. Observances include worship services beginning at sunrise, special music, feasting, and parades.
12 - Easter Monday (Christian Festival) (Bank Holiday)
21 - Queen\'s Birthday (actual date and a private celebration)
23 - St George\'s Day (Patron Saint of England)
It is the church festival of St. George, regarded as England’s national day (although not an official bank holiday). On this day some patriotic English people wear a rose pinned to their jackets.

May
1 - May Day
3 - Early May Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)
9 - Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival
A great time to see Punch & Judy, a traditional British seaside summer entertainment.
19 - St Dunstan\'s Day
St Dunstan is said to be most famous of Anglo-Saxon saints, born near Glastonbury, an Archbishop of Canterbury
20 - Ascension Day (Christian Festival) (Well Dressing in Derbyshire)
Christian recognition of the departure of Jesus from earth after the resurrection.
30- Pentecost (Christian Festival)
Christian observation of the day when the God the Holy Spirit came to the disciples in the forms of tongues of fire and rushing wind. It is a traditional day for baptism and confirmation of new Christians.
31 - Spring Bank Holiday (Bank Holiday)

June
12 - The Queen\'s Official birthday (varies each year in June)
12 - Trooping the Colour (Royal Tradition)
The Queen\'s official birthday celebrations.
15 - Royal Ascot
More than 300,000 people visit the Ascot racecourse during Royal Ascot week, making this Europe\'s most popular race meeting.
20 - Father\'s Day (3rd Sunday of June)
21 - Summer begins
The longest day of the year. The sun rises around 4:30 a.m. and doesn\'t set until 9:30 p.m. on this day.
21 Jun - 4 July: Wimbledon Tennis Championships
One of the four great world tennis championships and the only one which is played on grass.
24 - Midsummer\'s Day

July
15 - St. Swithun\'s Day
Saint Swithin was England’s Bishop of Winchester.
40 days of bad weather will follow if it rains on this day

August
13 - The Olympic Games
24 - St Bartholomew\'s Day
28 - Notting Hill Carnival
30 - Late Summer Bank Holiday. (Bank Holiday)
(last Monday in August, early August in Scotland)

September
22nd - First Day of Autumn

October
21 - Apple Day
24 - Trafalgar Day (don’t know what it is….)
31 - British Summer Time Ends (clocks go back 1 hour)
31 - Halloween Night

November
1 - All Saints Day (Christian)
Christian day for honouring saints, known and unknown.
2 - All Souls Day (Christian)
Christian day of prayers of intercession for the dead.
5 - Guy Fawkes Night (Bonfire Night)
13 - Lord Mayor’s Show & Fireworks Display (2nd Saturday in November)
The first Lord Mayor\'s Show was held in 1215 and since its conception only major events such as the Black Death - and in 1852, the funeral of the Duke of Wellington - have stopped the show.
11- Armistice Day
2 minutes silence at 11 a.m.
14 - Remembrance Sunday
The Queen, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries lay wreaths and observe a minute\'s silence (at 11am) at the Cenotaph to commemorate those who gave their lives for their country in both world wars. Afterwards, the Bishop of London takes a short service of remembrance.
21 - Stir-up Sunday
28 - Advent Sunday
Christian time of preparation for observing the birth of Jesus Christ.

December
22 - Winter Solstice - Shortest Day of the year,
25 - Christmas Day (Bank Holiday) (Christian Festival)
Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Observed by prayers, exchanging of gifts, and family parties.
26 - Boxing Day (Bank Holiday)
26 - St Stephen\'s Day
31 - New Years Eve
At midnight everybody joins hands and sings Auld Lang Syne.
Well these are the most holidays of England. There are some were I don’t know what they are celebrating so that’s why I only put a title.