Edinburgh Public Holidays

Edinburgh Public Holidays

When looking up a city’s top attractions, climate, local dishes and museums, it's also a good idea to check what public holidays it celebrates to plan your visits accordingly and make sure the museums and other top places to see are open.

Public Holidays

  • New Years Day: 1 January
  • New Year Holiday: 2 January
  • Good Friday: Friday before Easter Sunday
  • Easter Monday: (the date changes from year to year)
  • May Day public holiday: First Monday in May
  • Spring public holiday: Last Monday in May
  • August public holiday: First Monday in August
  • St Andrew’s Day (patron saint of Scotland): 30 November
  • Christmas: 25 December
  • Boxing Day (St Stephens Day): 26 December. Boxing day is the first day of the winter sales in Scotland, and it's a custom to give your family and friends a small gift

When any of the public holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the next Monday is a bank holiday instead.

Edinburgh's Festival, renowned worldwide, is made up of numerous events and special acts. If you want to find out when they take place, see the following article: Edinburgh's festivals.