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Christmas 2022: When are the bank holidays this year?

Most Britons will get four consecutive days off work over the Christmas period

A grandpa spending some time with his grandchildren and putting up the Christmas tree.
Most of us are fortunate enough to enjoy time off work at Christmas. (Getty Images)

The cold, dark December nights are drawing in, which can mean only one thing: Christmas 2022 is fast approaching.

With the festive period now just days away, you've probably already put up your Christmas trees and decorations and have started prepping for the big food shop.

Most of us will be fortunate enough to have time off work to celebrate, but just how many days off do we get this year?

Here are the key dates to add to your diary – plus all the confirmed bank holidays for 2023, so you can make the most of your annual leave.

When are the Christmas bank holidays this year?

Most Britons will get four consecutive days off work over the Christmas period.

Christmas Day falls on a weekend this year – Sunday, 25 December – so a 'substitute' bank holiday will take place on Tuesday, 27 December instead. Boxing Day, which falls on Monday, 26 December, will also be a bank holiday.

Read more: How to beat a festive hangover

New Year's Eve (Saturday, 31 December) isn't a bank holiday, but there will be a substitute day off for New Year's Day on Monday, 2 January.

Fireworks light up the London skyline just after midnight on New Year's Eve
There will be a substitute bank holiday for New Year's Day. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)

When do schools go back after Christmas?

The dates when schools and colleges go back after new year will vary depending on where you live.

When are the other bank holidays in 2023?

If you're already looking to make plans for next year, here's the full list of UK bank holidays scheduled for 2023, including Easter and Christmas:

  • 2 January – New Year's Day (substitute day)

  • 7 April – Good Friday

  • 10 April – Easter Monday

  • 1 May – Early May bank holiday

  • 8 May – Coronation bank holiday

  • 29 May – Spring bank holiday

  • 28 August – Summer bank holiday

  • 25 December – Christmas Day

  • 26 December – Boxing Day

Read more: 8 speedy ways to a calmer Christmas