A bank holiday is an official national holiday when banks and most businesses are closed for the day in the UK. These holidays are placed down by the UK parliament in statute law. The term bank holiday is frequently used with other public holidays such as Good Friday, Christmas Day and all other public holidays in the UK.
In a year there are eight holidays in England and Wales, nine in Scotland and ten in Northern Ireland. The eight main bank holidays are New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May bank holiday, Spring bank holiday, Summer bank holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. In Scotland, Easter Monday is not a bank holiday, but 2nd January and St Andrew's Day are. In Northern Ireland, St Patrick's Day and Orangemen’s Day are additional bank holidays.