The year 2022 featured a unique schedule of bank holidays, most notably in the United Kingdom, where citizens enjoyed two additional one-off public holidays. In England and Wales, there were a total of 10 bank holidays, including the special Platinum Jubilee bank holiday in June and the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September. In the United States, 2022 followed the standard federal holiday calendar with 11 recognized holidays, including the newly established Juneteenth National Independence Day. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of all holiday dates across the UK and US, detailing substitute days, regional variations in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and practical advice for holiday planning.
UK Bank Holidays 2022 Overview
The 2022 UK holiday calendar was significantly expanded to mark historic royal events. While a standard year in England and Wales typically includes eight bank holidays, the 2022 schedule was adjusted to accommodate the Queen’s 70th anniversary on the throne and her subsequent passing.
Specific dates for England and Wales included:
- New Year’s Day (Substitute): Monday, 3 January
- Good Friday: Friday, 15 April
- Easter Monday: Monday, 18 April
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 2 May
- Spring Bank Holiday: Thursday, 2 June (Moved from May)
- Platinum Jubilee: Friday, 3 June (One-off)
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 29 August
- State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II: Monday, 19 September (One-off)
- Boxing Day: Monday, 26 December
- Christmas Day (Substitute): Tuesday, 27 December
The Platinum Jubilee Weekend
To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the traditional late May bank holiday was moved to Thursday, 2 June, and followed by an additional one-off holiday on Friday, 3 June. This created a historic four-day weekend that allowed the public to participate in nationwide street parties and official ceremonies.
The weekend was anchored by events like “Trooping the Colour” and the lighting of beacons across the Commonwealth. Because this was a unique event, it did not set a permanent precedent for future years, making 2022 a standout year for leisure time in the UK.
State Funeral Bank Holiday
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, a special bank holiday was declared for Monday, 19 September 2022, to coincide with her State Funeral. This day was established as a period of national mourning, allowing people to pay their respects and observe the televised proceedings from Westminster Abbey.
Unlike standard holidays, many retail businesses and supermarkets operated on reduced hours or closed entirely for the duration of the service. This holiday applied across all four nations of the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Scotland’s Regional Variations
Scotland observed several unique bank holidays in 2022 that differed from the rest of the UK. Most notably, 2 January (observed as a substitute on Tuesday, 4 January) and St. Andrew’s Day are traditional Scottish holidays not shared by England and Wales.
While Scotland shared the special Jubilee and Funeral holidays, their Summer Bank Holiday occurred on Monday, 1 August, rather than the late August date used elsewhere. St. Andrew’s Day was observed on Wednesday, 30 November, though it is often a “flexible” holiday depending on local government and business policies.
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays
Northern Ireland traditionally enjoys more bank holidays than the rest of the UK, totaling 12 days in 2022. These include the standard UK dates plus St. Patrick’s Day and the Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day).
In 2022, St. Patrick’s Day fell on Thursday, 17 March, and the Battle of the Boyne was observed on Tuesday, 12 July. These regional holidays often see significant local festivities, parades, and closures of public offices within the province.
US Federal Holidays 2022
The United States observed 11 federal holidays in 2022, providing days off for federal employees and most banking institutions. A key highlight was the second official observance of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, which occurred on Sunday, 19 June, and was observed on Monday, 20 June.
The 2022 US Federal Schedule included:
- New Year’s Day (Observed): Friday, 31 December 2021
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Monday, 17 January
- Presidents’ Day: Monday, 21 February
- Memorial Day: Monday, 30 May
- Juneteenth: Monday, 20 June (Observed)
- Independence Day: Monday, 4 July
- Labor Day: Monday, 5 September
- Columbus Day: Monday, 10 October
- Veterans Day: Friday, 11 November
- Thanksgiving: Thursday, 24 November
- Christmas Day (Observed): Monday, 26 December
Practical Information and Planning
Navigating bank holidays requires understanding how services, transport, and businesses operate during these breaks.
- Retail Hours: Major supermarkets usually open on bank holidays but often operate “Sunday hours” (e.g., 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM).
- Public Transport: Expect “Saturday” or “Sunday” timetables for buses and trains, with some services finishing earlier than usual.
- Banking Services: Physical bank branches are closed on all bank holidays, though ATMs and online banking remain fully functional.
- School Closures: All state schools are closed on bank holidays; however, private schools may have differing term dates.
- Travel Tips: Bank holiday weekends are peak travel times; it is advisable to book train tickets and hotels at least 4–6 weeks in advance to avoid price surges.
National Bank Holidays
National bank holidays in 2022 applied uniformly across India, closing all public and private banks. Key dates included Republic Day on January 26, Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, and Independence Day on August 15. These three form the core trio, suspending all transactions nationwide.
Additional nationwide closures marked major religious events like Good Friday (April 15) and Christmas (December 25). Banks halted operations fully, with no online or branch services except ATMs for basic withdrawals. This ensured participation in national observances while maintaining essential cash access.
January Holidays
January 2022 started with regional festivals transitioning to the national Republic Day. Makar Sankranti on January 14 closed banks in states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, celebrating harvest with kite-flying and feasts. New Year’s Day (January 1) was a holiday in some urban centers like Mumbai.
Republic Day on January 26 was the month’s highlight, featuring parades in Delhi and nationwide flag-hoisting. Banks remained shut, impacting salary credits and loan payments due that day. Plan ahead for Pongal (January 14-17) in Tamil Nadu, where four consecutive days affected southern banking.
Makar Sankranti kicked off the year vibrantly in northern states too, known as Uttarayan in Gujarat with bonfires. In Assam, it aligned with Bihu preparations. These early closures set a busy tone, reminding users to check state lists for overlaps with Sundays.
February Holidays
February 2022 featured Vasant Panchami on February 5, closing banks in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for Saraswati worship. Mahashivratri on March 1 technically spanned late February preparations but was a full closure in most states. Regional additions like Chhatrapati Shivaji Jayanti (February 19) hit Maharashtra hard.
Banks in Punjab observed Guru Ravidas Jayanti around February 16, blending with national weekends. These holidays often fell near second Saturdays (no banking), extending breaks. Expect disruptions in fixed deposits or mutual fund SIPs due around then.
Deeper context reveals February’s lighter load compared to March, but northern states saw more closures. For instance, Himachal Pradesh added local fairs. Always verify with RBI circulars, as some banks offered digital services despite physical shutdowns.
March Holidays
March 2022 brought Holi on March 18, a nationwide closure for the vibrant festival of colors in North India. Mahashivratri on March 1 shut banks pan-India, with night vigils and Shiva temples drawing crowds. Ugadi on April 1 edged into late March planning for Telugu states.
Holi’s second day, Dhuleti, extended celebrations in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Banks in West Bengal closed for Doljatra. This month saw high regional variance, with four-day weekends common.
Post-Holi, ATMs stocked extra cash, but online transfers continued seamlessly. March closures impacted tax filings, as FY deadlines loomed. States like Odisha added Sivaratri extensions.
April Holidays
April 2022 packed festivals like Ram Navami (April 10), closing banks nationwide. Good Friday (April 15) followed, a Christian observance halting service. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14 doubled closures in Maharashtra and elsewhere.
Regional highlights included Ugadi/Gudi Padwa (April 1) in Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra. Tamil New Year (April 14) affected southern banks. Expect four consecutive holidays mid-month in some areas.
These aligned with second/fourth Saturdays, creating long weekends. Financial planning suffered, delaying cheques. Banks issued advance notices via SMS.
May Holidays
May 2022 opened with Labour Day on May 1, a universal bank holiday. Buddha Purnima on May 16 closed banks for Vesak celebrations. Eid al-Adha (Bakrid) varied by moon sighting, falling around July but with May state tweaks.
In Kerala, more closures for local saints. Northern states observed it lightly. Banks focused on summer cash demand.
May’s holidays boosted weekend getaways, but cheque bounce risks rose. Digital banking peaked, with UPI transactions unaffected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was there an extra bank holiday in June 2022?
An extra holiday was granted on Friday, 3 June, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70th year on the throne. The late May holiday was also moved to Thursday, 2 June, to create a four-day weekend.
Was Monday, 19 September 2022, a bank holiday?
Yes, it was a one-off national bank holiday across the UK to mark the date of the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Which UK nation had the most bank holidays in 2022?
Northern Ireland had the most with 12 holidays, followed by Scotland with 11, and England and Wales with 10.
What is a “substitute” bank holiday?
If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a “substitute” weekday (usually the following Monday) becomes the official bank holiday so that the public does not lose a day off.
Are employers required to give bank holidays off in the UK?
There is no statutory right to time off on bank holidays; it depends entirely on the terms of your individual employment contract.
Did the US have a bank holiday for the Queen’s funeral?
No, the State Funeral bank holiday was specific to the United Kingdom and did not affect federal holidays in the United States.
Is Juneteenth a permanent federal holiday in the US?
Yes, Juneteenth was signed into law as a federal holiday in 2021 and is now observed annually on June 19 (or the nearest weekday).
Why does Scotland have a bank holiday on 2 January?
Scotland has a long-standing tradition of celebrating “Hogmanay” (New Year), and the 2 January holiday allows for an extended celebration and recovery period.
Do banks close on Good Friday in the US?
Good Friday is not a federal holiday in the US, though some state governments and individual banks may choose to close or operate on reduced hours.
Final Thoughts
The addition of two extra bank holidays in 2022 had a measurable impact on the UK economy, highlighting the delicate balance between productivity and the leisure sector. While the Office for National Statistics (ONS) noted a temporary dip in GDP during June and September, these periods provided a vital “feel-good” stimulus that benefited the hospitality and tourism industries following the pandemic years.
Nationwide, the holidays served as a unifying force. From the millions who gathered for Jubilee street parties to those who observed the State Funeral, the 2022 bank holidays transcended mere time off work, becoming focal points for community reflection and historical documentation.
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