How many bank holidays are there in May 2023 and when are they?

How we’d love to spend our bank holiday, but we’ll probably end up in B&Q (Picture: Getty Images)

It’s the Early May bank holiday weekend and so far the sun is out, making it the perfect time to dust off that barbeque.

Many of us fortunate enough to have some time off will be catching up with friends and family, pottering in the garden or piling in to that DIY to-do list.

But with the coronation weekend also coming up fast, it’s easy to lose track of when the bank holidays are in May.

So before you turn up at work and discover the office is closed, here’s what you need to know about the May bank holidays.

How many bank holidays are there in May?

Fingers crossed for blue skies like this (Picture: Getty Images)

The good news is that, thanks to King Charles, we’re getting an extra one!

We usually have two May bank holidays – one near the start and one near the end of the month.

But due to the coronation, we get an extra May bank holiday in 2023 – so three in total.

Unlike Easter, many shops will remain open over the bank holidays, so not everyone gets a three-day break, but most offices observe it.

When are the May bank holidays?

In 2023, the first bank holiday in May happens to land on the very first day of May.

Known as the Early May bank holiday, it’s one we get every year, and is always celebrated on the first Monday of the month.

This year, that happens to be Monday, May 1.

The first Monday in May is always a bank holiday in the UK (Picture: Getty)

The Early May bank holiday first originated as a Roman festival celebrating the beginning of the summer season. As time went by, the Early May bank holiday became a day to campaign for and honour the rights of workers.

Then, in a fortunate twist, the next Monday, May 8, is also a bank holiday.

This one is an extra to our usual allowance and is being added to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.

Charles’ coronation is on Saturday, May 6, and it’ll be one for the history books – with the slimmed down monarchy making their first appearance of the Carolean era.

Charles will wear the St Edward’s Crown as his reign is cemented and a procession of key royals will take place from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.

Invitations were sent out to world leaders and important figures – and many are due to attend, though US President Joe Biden is sending First Lady Jill in his stead.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will be crowned on Saturday, May 6, with the nation enjoying a bank holiday the following Monday (Picture: Rob Jefferies/Getty Images)

And if that isn’t enough bank holidays, the third and final May one – known as the Spring Bank Holiday – falls on Monday, May 29.

So the three May bank holidays are:

Monday, May 1

Monday, May 8

Monday, May 29.

When are the rest of the bank holidays in 2023?

MORE : Do supermarkets do grocery deliveries on bank holidays?

MORE : B&Q, Homebase, Wickes, and ScrewFix opening times for Early May bank holiday Monday 2023

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