Public holidays and festivities in the UK

bank holidays.
As the UK is a country made up

of four more or less independent regions, official holidays vary depending on if you live in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

“Bank holidays”. The term “Bank holidays” dates back to the

19th century. At that time all the bank were closed on these holidays. Now this term is no longer referred only to the banks. Many other firms and offices are closed too. Among these are eight holidays: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day holidays, Spring bank holidays, Late Summer(August) holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Day: 1 January
Good Friday: March or April
Easter Monday: March

or April
Early May: May
Spring Bank Holiday: May
Summer Bank Holiday: August
Christmas Day: 25 December
Boxing Day: 26 December

Moreover, Scots celebrate St. Andrew’s Day on 30 November and

2 January is also a bank holiday, but Easter Monday is not.
All in all, there are nine bank holidays in Scotland.

In Northern Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day on 17 March is a bank holiday, and so is Orangemen’s Day on 12 July which commemorates the Battle of Boyne.
There are a total of ten bank holidays in Northern Ireland, making it the region with the most holidays in the UK.

the United Kingdom on January 1 each year. It marks

the start of the New Year in the Gregorian calendar. For many people have a quiet day on January 1, which marks the end of the Christmas break before they return to work. However, there are some special customs, particularly in Scotland.

is a public holiday in the United Kingdom. It falls

just before Easter Sunday, which is the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the March equinox.
People who regularly attend church will probably attend a special church service on Good Friday. For other people, it is a day off work in spring. Some people use the day to work in their gardens, while others take advantage of the long Easter weekend and the school holidays at this time of year to take a short vacation.

is not a public holiday in England, Scotland, Wales or

Northern Ireland.
Christmas Eve is the last day for many people to shop and prepare for the Christmas celebrations and festive meals. Stores, particularly those selling food and gifts, are usually busy. Some families put up their Christmas tree and other seasonal decorations, although others may have done this as early as late November.

after Christmas Day and falls on December 26. Traditionally, it

was the day when employers distributed money, food, cloth (material) or other valuable goods to their employees. In modern times, it is an important day for sporting events and the start of the post-Christmas sales.
For many people Boxing Day is a time to recover from the excesses of Christmas Day and an opportunity to spend time with family, friends, and neighbors. Some people choose to go for a walk in the countryside, while others flock to the post-Christmas sales that often begin on Boxing Day. Some people even spend part of the night and early morning queuing to get into the stores when the best bargains are still available.

send that person cards, gifts and text messages on Valentine's

Day. Popular gifts include chocolates and flowers. Many are sent anonymously in the United Kingdom 
Valentine's Day symbols include red or pink hearts, red roses, teddy bears with roses or hearts and couples kissing or holding each other. These symbols are printed on cards, wrapping paper, lingerie and clothing and made of chocolate or other types of food.
Pictures or models of Cupid are also often displayed in the run up to and on Valentine's Day in the UK. Cupid is usually portrayed as a small winged figure with a bow and arrow. According to mythology, he uses his bow and arrow to strike romantic love into people's hearts.

to visit your mother church. It is now an occasion

to bring gifts to your own mother.
An important part of Mothering Sunday is giving cards and gifts. Common Mother's Day gifts are cakes, flowers, chocolates, jewelry, and luxurious clothing. Some people do not give a physical gift, but choose to treat their mother or grandmother to a special meal, beauty treatment or fun outing.
Specially decorated Mother's Day cakes are available in many stores. In the days and weeks before Mothering Sunday, many schools, Sunday schools and children's organizations help their pupils to prepare a handmade card or gift for their mother.

every year on April 1 by playing practical jokes and spreading hoaxes. The

jokes and their victims are called April fools. People playing April Fool jokes expose their prank by shouting April Fool. Some newspapers, magazines, and other publish media report fake stories, which are usually explained the next day or below the news section in small letters. Although popular since the 19th century, the day is not a public holiday in any country.