Early May Bank Holiday moved to Friday May 8th in 2020

Early May Bank Holiday moved to Friday May 8th in 2020

by Public Holiday News

London, Jun 8th 2019

The Early May bank holiday in 2020 will be moved by four days in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to Friday May 8th, so that it coincides with the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

VE Day, or Victory in Europe Day, marks the day towards the end of World War Two when fighting against Nazi Germany came to an end in Europe.

The holiday will form part of a three-day weekend of commemorative events.

Announcing the change, Business Secretary Greg Clark said: "It will ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to remember and honour our heroes of the Second World War and reflect on the sacrifices of a generation."

The date of the May Day bank holiday has been changed before. In 1995, it was changed from May 1st to May 8th to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day.

Moving a bank holiday is achieved by a Royal Proclamation under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.

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Bank holidays in United Kingdom in 2020

Weekday Date Holiday Comments
Wednesday New Year's Day
Thursday Day after New Year's Day Scotland
Saturday Burns Night Scotland, not a public holiday
Tuesday Shrove Tuesday Shrove Tuesday. Not a Public Holiday
Sunday St. David's Day Wales Only. Not a public holiday
Tuesday St. Patrick's Day Northern Ireland
Sunday Mothering Sunday Not a National Holiday
Friday Good Friday
Sunday Easter Sunday
Monday Easter Monday Except Scotland
Thursday St. George's Day England. Not a public holiday
Friday Early May Bank Holiday Moved to Friday for VE Day
Monday Spring Bank Holiday Last Monday in May
Sunday Father's Day 3rd Sunday in June. Not a public holiday
Monday Battle of the Boyne (in lieu) Northern Ireland Only
Monday Summer bank holiday First Monday in August (Scotland)
Monday August Bank Holiday Last Monday in August (except Scotland)
Thursday Guy Fawke's Night England. Not a public holiday
Sunday Remembrance Sunday Not a public holiday
Monday St. Andrew's Day Scotland Only
Friday Christmas Day
Monday Boxing Day (in lieu)
Tuesday Bank Holiday Northern Ireland. Banks closed

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