Is Spring Bank Holiday a Public Holiday in the UK?
Spring Bank Holiday is a public holiday according to Holidays 2023 in the United Kingdom. A day off is granted to the general population on this day, and most of the public institutions and organisations remain closed on this day.
Spring Bank Holiday UK History
Just like the other Bank holidays, the origins of this festival can be traced back to an archaic event. Spring Bank
Holiday history holds relevant significance and commemorates the beginning of its observance.
So, in the year 1971, a different holiday was celebrated on this very day, which was known as Whit Monday. It was a Christian
holiday which was observed to mark the day on which the Holy Spirit descended to the disciples of Jesus Christ. This also officially
put an end to the season of Easter, as this day merged with Easter, which was later moved on to a different day. It ended with the conclusion
that the new holiday will be renamed as Spring Bank holiday and it would be celebrated on the last Monday of the month of May. Ever since then,
natives of the United Kingdom have been celebrating this day on the last Monday of May.
In the year 2002, the Spring Bank Holiday was moved to the 4th of June so that an extra bank holiday follows the third of June. This also gifted the
people with a four day long weekend, so that they could celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee of accessing the throne.
Following the same pattern, the Spring Bank Holiday was once again moved to the 4th of June in the year 2012 , to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee of
accessing the throne.
Spring Bank Holiday : Major Highlights of the Day
Some special traditions mark the celebrations of Spring Bank holiday. Here they go:
1. At a place called Cooper’s Hill, which is located in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, people are seen racing down a very steep hill while following a loaf of cheese.
2. The very first person who crosses the line gets to take home a Double Gloucester cheese loaf whose weight is about 3.5 kgs.
3. This particular tradition was initiated by Romans or Britons in ancient times, which came into existence as a fertility ritual. The commemoration of this rite also ensured
the villages that they would be free to graze their animal stock in the neighbouring land.
4. In Endon, which is located in Staffordshire, the villagers decorate their respective wells, organize a fayre (a traditional village celebration) and a girl is crowned as the
“Well Dressing Queen”. The local men also take part in a competition which is known as ’Tossing the Sheaf’. In this competition, they collide against each other to see who can
toss a bundle to the greatest height.
5. In numerous other places, blessings are offered to boats and Morris dancers display their talents when they take part in common social gatherings on the day of Spring Day.
Spring Bank Holiday Observances
| Year | Weekday | Date | Name | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Mon | 27 May | Spring Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| 2020 | Mon | 25 May | Spring Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| 2021 | Mon | 31 May | Spring Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| 2022 | Mon | 30 May | Spring Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| 2023 | Mon | 29 May | Spring Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| 2024 | Mon | 27 May | Spring Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday |
| 2025 | Mon | 26 May | Spring Bank Holiday | Bank Holiday |
FAQs
1. Why is there a spring bank holiday?
After Pentecost the Spring Bank Holiday started on Monday. In the United Kingdom this is known as Pentecost or Whit Monday.
2. Why is it called Whit Monday?
In the year 1971, a different holiday was celebrated on this very day, which was known as Whit Monday. It was a Christian holiday which was observed to mark the day on which the Holy Spirit descended to the disciples of Jesus Christ.
3. What do people do on Whit Monday?
The walks are concluded with different events, which include races, competitions, dancing, and food. In the US several churches hold prayer rallies on Pentecost Monday, which include prayers and street marches.
Also Read: Other Bank Holidays in the UK
So this was all you need to know about the Spring Bank Holiday 2023. Keep following us for more festivals and events taking place in the UK!!