Also on Bank Holidays UK: Why Do We Have Bank Holidays? The 1871 Story · Jubilee Bank Holidays — A Royal History · What Is a Bank Holiday? UK Definition Explained
“Bank holiday” and “public holiday” are often used interchangeably, but they’re not strictly the same thing. Bank holidays are a legal subset of public holidays.
The legal definition
Bank holidays in the UK are formally listed under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 plus the original Bank Holidays Act 1871. They are the days on which banks must legally close.
Public holiday — broader meaning
Public holiday is an umbrella term used internationally. In the UK it’s used informally to mean “any day off the country observes”. Christmas Day and Good Friday, for example, are recognised by tradition as public holidays but technically aren’t named in the 1871 Act — they’re protected by separate customs.
Practical impact
For most workers and consumers the difference is academic — you don’t notice whether the closure is technically a bank holiday or a public holiday. The legal distinction matters mainly for banks, the financial markets, and certain employment law tests.
Frequently asked
Is the answer to ‘bank holiday vs public holiday’?
They overlap but are not identical — public holiday is the broader term.
Where is this defined in UK law?
The Bank Holidays Act 1871 and the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 are the two main statutes.
Do bank holidays change every year?
The dates change but the holidays themselves don’t. Some are tied to specific dates (Christmas, New Year), some to religious calendars (Easter), and some to fixed weekdays (first/last Monday of a month).