2015 Bank Holidays in UK

2015 Bank Holidays in United Kingdom enlist those days that are observed as non working day all across UK, and these days have been determined as per the history, culture and traditions of the land.

According to statutes, if such a holiday falls on a non working day, example Sunday, then the holiday gets transferred to the next working day of the week.

Here is a list of 2015 Bank Holidays in United Kingdom with a comprehensive discussion about the traditions and customs:

New Years Day – As a brand New Year is about to begin, the country turns on to the Clock Tower for the Big Ben to strike midnight and announce the arrival of the New Year. Fireworks and champagne flow abundantly as people eagerly await the new beginning. In some areas, it is often the custom to sing 'Auld Lang Syne' and follow First Footing rituals.

Day after New Year’s Day – Also known as Hogmanay in some parts of the country, this is the day when people enjoy the company of famiy and friends. In many places people join elaborate parties to mark the occasions. Local customs of First Footing and Fireball Swinging are also observed in certain places.

Pancake Tuesday – Also known as Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras, this is the last day before the commencement of the 40 days of Lent. Since people observe fasting during the Lent period, Pancake Tuesday is associated with eating food that are high in calories and typically include pancakes from which the day takes its name. In some places in England, mob football games are played on this day. In some parts there are pancake races where people race from the start line to the finish line with a frying pan containing a pancake that has to be flipped both in the beginning and at the end of the race.

St David’s Day – This is the day that pays tribute to St. David, the patron Saint of Wales. It is a common custom to pin a leek or a daffodil to one’s dress on this day. Apart from attending Church services people also read about St. David’s life and participate in choir recitals.

Mothering Sunday – Celebrated on the fourth Sunday of the Lent period this is the day on which traditionally people used to visit the Church they were baptized in or used to visit for services as children, and get united with the people of the town. Today the day has become more popularly associated with respecting Motherhood and showing one’s love for his/ her mother or a mother figure.

St Patrick’s Day – This is the day that celebrates the Feast of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Celebrations include parades with Irish music.

Good Friday – This is the day when Christendom mourns the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. People attend special church services on this day. It is a common custom to abstain from meat on this day and eat fish instead. It is also a tradition to eat hot cross buns on this day which have cross marked on top.

Easter Monday – This is the day after Easter which commemorates the resurrection of Christ and as such is a day of jubilant celebrations for the Christendom. For United Kingdom this marks the end to the four day holiday period of Easter. This is the time when many people take a vacation. In keeping with the Easter theme, this is the day when many places host egg rolling competition, sports matches, Easter bonnet parades and Morris dancing. Since the eighteenth century, there has been a tradition of bottle kicking competition in some parts of the country.

St Georges Day – This is considered to be the National Day of England as the day commemorates the death anniversary of Saint George, the patron Saint of England, who is believed to have been martyred as he killed a dragon to save the princess. Parades and traditional dances mark the occasion.

Early May Bank Holiday – The first Monday of the month of May is a bank holiday in United Kingdom as it celebrates the onset of summer. Today the day however, has got associated more with the rights of workers.

Spring Bank Holiday – A statutory holiday in the United Kingdom since the year 1971, which replaced the Monday after Pentecost (Whit Monday) holiday. In some places town fairs are held where women dress their best to get crowned as the Well Dressing Queen, and men compete at tossing bales of straw the highest. Near Gloucestershire it is a custom to role a large circular cheese down the slope of the hill with people racing following it. In a nutshell, this is a day to enjoy the warmer months.

Father’s Day – This is the day when people show their love and respect to their father or someone they consider to be a father figure in their life and also show acknowledgement for their love, support and contribution.

Battle of the Boyne (observed) – This day commemorates the Battle of Boyne held in the year 1690 in the Eastern part of Ireland. To mark this occasion many parades and walks are organized where people participate wearing black or dark colored clothing.

August Bank Holiday – This is the day that announces that the warm summer months are nearing an end and autumn is about to set in. People use this day to enjoy outdoor activities which would get out of bounds during the colder months. In London, a multicultural carnival is held which is known as Notting Hill Carnival.

Guy Fawkes Night – Also known as the Bonfire Night, this is the day that commemorates the ancient incident when the Houses of Parliament in London was conspired to be destroyed by some Catholic conspirators in the year 1605, but the plan was busted. To mark the occasion, people light bonfires and set off fireworks.

St Andrews Day – This is the day that commemorates the Feast of Saint Andrews who is considered to be the Patron Saint of a number of countries.

Christmas Day – This is the day that the Christendom celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. From holiday lighting to festive décor, from Christmas trees to feasting, from prayer services to family unions, Christmas in United Kingdom is a gala affair.

Boxing Day – The day after Christmas was traditionally the time when the employers gifted their employees with money, food, gifts, clothing etc. The name arises from the boxes in which the gifts were packed. Traditionally on this day people indulged in a number of sports for entertainment. Fox hunting was a common sport. After that got banned, in the modern times, sporting traditions at present include horse racing and football (soccer).

Boxing Day (in lieu) – Since Boxing day in this year is on a Saturday the corresponding Bank Holiday has been shifted to the following Monday.

List of 2015 Bank Holidays in UK