List of previous Commons Recess Dates

Recess dates 2023-24

State Opening: 7 November 2023

Prorogation: 24 May 2024

Total number of sitting days: TBC

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	19 December 2023	8 January 2024
February	8 February 2024	19 February 2024
Easter	26 March 2024	15 April 2024
Mayday	2 May 2024	7 May 2024

 

Recess dates 2022-23

State Opening: 10 May 2022

Prorogation: 26 October 2023

Total number of sitting days: TBC

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Whitsun	26 May 2022	6 June 2022
Summer	21 July 2022	5 September 2022
Conference	23 September 2022	11 October 2022
November	9 November 2022	14 November 2022
Christmas	20 December 2022	9 January 2023
February	9 February 2023	20 February 2023
Easter	30 March 2023	17 April 2023
May Day	27 April 2023	2 May 2023
Coronation	3 May 2023	9 May 2023
Whitsun	25 May 2023	5 June 2023
Summer	20 July 2023	4 September 2023
Conference	19 September 2023	16 October 2023

 

Recess dates 2021-22

State Opening: 11 May 2021

Prorogation: 28 April 2022

Total number of sitting days: 152

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Whitsun	27 May 2021	7 June 2021
Summer	22 July 2021	6 September 2021
Conference	23 September 2021	18 October 2021
November	9 November 2021	15 November 2021
Christmas	16 December 2021	5 January 2022
February	10 February 2022	21 February 2022
Easter	31 March 2022	19 April 2022

Recess dates 2019-21

State Opening: 19 December 2019

Prorogation: 29 April 2021

Total number of sitting days: 205

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	20 December 2019	7 January 2020
February	13 February 2020	24 February 2020
Easter	25 March 2020	21 April 2020
Mayday	6 May 2020	11 May 2020
Whitsun	20 May 2020	2 June 2020
Summer	22 July 2020	1 September 2020
Autumn	23 October 2020	2 November 2020
Christmas	17 December 2020	11 January 2021
February	11 February 2021	22 February 2021
Easter	25 March 2021	13 April 2021

Recalls: 2 June 2020 (earlier sitting time); 30 December 2020; 6 January 2021; 12 April 2021.

Recess dates 2019

State Opening: 14 October 2019

Dissolution: 6 November 2019

Total number of sitting days: 15

No recess dates were announced during the short 2019 session of parliament.

Recess dates 2017-19

State Opening: 21 June 2017

Prorogation: 8 October 2019

Total number of sitting days: 349

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Summer	20 July 2017	5 September 2017
Conference	14 September 2017	9 October 2017
November	7 November 2017	13 November 2017
Christmas	21 December 2017	8 January 2018
February	8 February 2018	20 February 2018
Easter	29 March 2018	16 April 2018
May	3 May 2018	8 May 2018
Whitsun	24 May 2018	4 June 2018
Summer	24 July 2018	4 September 2018
Conference	13 September 2018	9 October 2018
November	6 November 2018	12 November 2018
Christmas	20 December 2018	7 January 2019
Easter	11 April 2019	23 April 2019
May	2 May 2019	7 May 2019
Whitsun	23 May 2019	4 June 2019
Summer	25 July 2019	3 September 2019

Recess dates 2016-17

State Opening: 18 May 2016

Prorogation: 27 April 2017

Dissolution: 3 May 2017

Total number of sitting days: 142

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Whitsun	26 May 2016	6 June 2016
Recess	15 June 2016	27 June 2016
Summer	21 July 2016	5 September 2016
Conference	15 September 2016	10 October 2016
November	8 November 2016	14 November 2016
Christmas	20 December 2016	9 January 2017
February	9 February 2017	20 February 2017
Easter	30 March 2017	18 April 2017

Recess dates 2015-16

State Opening: 27 May 2015

Prorogation: 12 May 2016

Total number of sitting days: 158

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Summer	21 July 2015	7 September 2015
Conference	17 September 2015	12 October 2015
November	10 November 2015	16 November 2015
Christmas	17 December 2015	5 January 2016
February	11 February 2016	22 February 2016
Easter	24 March 2016	11 April 2016

Recess dates 2014-15

State Opening: 4 June 2014

Prorogation: 26 March 2015

Dissolution: 30 March 2015

Total number of sitting days: 133

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Summer	22 July 2014	1 September 2014
Conference	12 September 2014	13 October 2014
November	11 November 2014	17 November 2014
Christmas	18 December 2014	5 January 2015
February	12 February 2015	23 February 2015

Recess dates 2013-14

State Opening: 8 May 2013

Prorogation: 14 May 2014

Total number of sitting days: 162

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Whitsun	21 May 2013	3 June 2013
Summer	18 July 2013	2 September 2013
Conference	13 September 2013	8 October 2013
November	12 November 2013	18 November 2013
Christmas	19 December 2013	6 January 2014
February	13 February 2014	24 February 2014
Easter	10 April 2014	28 April 2014
May Day	1 May 2014	6 May 2014

Recall: 29 August 2013 

Recess dates 2012-13

State Opening: 9 May 2012
Prorogation: 25 April 2013

Total number of sitting days: 143

Recess	House rises	House returns
Whitsun	24 May 2012	11 June 2012
Summer	17 July 2012	3 September 2012
Conference	18 September 2012	15 October 2012
Autumn	13 November 2012	19 November 2012
Christmas	20 December 2012	7 January 2013
February	14 February 2013	25 February 2013
Easter	26 March 2013*	15 April 2013

 *House recalled on 10 April 2013 

Recess dates 2010-12

State Opening: 25 May 2010
Prorogation: 1 May 2012
Total number of sitting days: 295

Recess	House rises	House returns
Whitsun	27 May 2010	2 June 2010
Summer	27 July 2010	6 September 2010
Conference Recess	16 September 2010	11 October 2010
Christmas	21 December 2010	10 January 2011
Half term	17 February 2011	28 February 2011
Easter	5 April 2011	26 April 2011
Whitsun	24 May 2011	7 June 2011
Summer	19 July 2011*	5 September 2011
Conference	15 September 2011	10 October 2011
Autumn	15 November 2011	21 November 2011
Christmas	20 December 2011	10 January 2012
Constituency	9 February 2012	20 February 2012
Easter	27 March 2012	16 April 2012

 *House recalled on 20 July & 11 August 2011

Recess dates 2009-10

State Opening: 18 November 2009
Prorogation: 8 April 2010
Dissolution: 12 April 2010
Total number of sitting days: 69 

Recess	House rises	House returns
Christmas	16 December 2009	5 January 2010
Half term	10 February 2010	22 February 2010
Easter	30 March 2010	6 April 2010

Recess dates 2008-09

State Opening: 3 December 2008
Prorogation:  12 November 2009
Total number of sitting days: 136 

Recess	House rises	House returns
Christmas	18 December 2008	12 January 2009
Half Term	12 February 2009	23 February 2009
Easter	2 April 2009	20 April 2009
Whitsun	21 May 2009	1 June 2009
Summer	21 July 2009	12 October 2009

Recess dates 2007-08

State Opening: 6 November 2007
Prorogation: 26 November 2008
Total number of sitting days: 165

Recess	House rises	House returns
Christmas	18 December 2007	7 January 2008
Half Term	7 February 2008	18 February 2008
Easter	3 April 2008	21 April 2008
Whitsun	22 May 2008	2 June 2008
Summer	22 July 2008	6 October 2008

Recess dates 2006-07

State Opening: 15 November 2006
Prorogation: 30 October 2007
Total number of sitting days: 146

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	19 Dec 2006	8 Jan 2007
Half Term Week	8 Feb 2007	19 Feb 2007
Easter	29 Mar 2007	16 Apr 2007
Whitsun	24 May 2007	4 Jun 2007
Summer	26 Jul 2007	8 Oct 2007

Recess dates 2005-06

State Opening: 17 May 2005
Prorogation: 8 November 2006
Total number of sitting days: 208

Recess	House will rise	House returns
Whitsun	26 May 2005	6 Jun 2005
Summer	21 July 2005	10 Oct 2005
Christmas	20 Dec 2005	9 Jan 2006
Half Term Week	16 Feb 2006	27 Feb 2006
Easter	30 Mar 2006	18 Apr 2006
Whitsun	25 May 2006	5 Jun 2006
Summer	25 Jul 2006	9 Oct 2006

Recess dates 2004-05

State Opening: 23 November 2004
Dissolution: 11 April 2005
Total number of sitting days: 65

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	21 Dec 2004	10 Jan 2005
Half Term Week	10 Feb 2005	21 Feb 2005
Easter	24 Mar 2005	4 Apr 2005

Date of General Election: 5 May 2005

Recess dates 2003-04

State Opening: 26 November 2003
Prorogation: 18 November 2004
Total number of sitting days: 157

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	18 Dec 2003	5 Jan 2004
Half Term Week	12 Feb 2004	23 Feb 2004
Easter	1 Apr 2004	19 Apr 2004
Whitsun	27 May 2004	7 Jun 2004
Summer	22 Jul 2004	7 Sep 2004
Conference	16 Sep 2004	11 Oct 2004

Recess dates 2002-03

State Opening: 13 November 2002
Prorogation: 20 November 2003
Total number of sitting days: 162

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	19 Dec 2002	7 Jan 2003
Half Term Week	13 Feb 2003	24 Feb 2003
Easter (and constituency week)	14 Apr 2003	28 Apr 2003
Whitsun	22 May 2003	3 Jun 2003
Summer	17 Jul  2003	8 Sep 2003
Conference break	18 Sep 2003	14 Oct 2003

Recess dates 2001-02

State Opening: 20 June 2001
Prorogation: 7 Nov 2002
Total number of sitting days: 201

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Summer	20 Jul 2001	15 Oct 2001
Christmas	19 Dec 2001	8 Jan 2002
Constituency week	15 Feb 2002	25 Feb 2002
Easter	26 Mar 2002	10 Apr 2002
May day	2 May 2002	7 May 2002
Whitsun	24 May 2002	10 Jun 2002
Summer	24 Jul 2002	15 Oct 2002

Recess dates 2000-01

State Opening: 6 December 2000
Dissolution: 14 May 2001
Total number of sitting days: 83

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	21 Dec 2000	8 Jan 2001
Constituency days	16 Feb 2001	26 Feb 2001
Easter	10 Apr 2001	23 Apr 2001

Date of General Election: 7 June 2001

Recess dates 1999-2000

State Opening: 24 November 1999
Prorogation: 30 November 2000
Total number of sitting days: 171

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	21 Dec 1999	10 Jan 2000
Constituency days	22 Feb 2000	28 Feb 2000
Easter	20 Apr 2000	2 May 2000
Whitsun	25 May 2000	5 Jun 2000
Summer	28 Jul 2000	23 Oct 2000

Recess dates 1998-99

State Opening: 24 November 1998
Prorogation: 11 November 1999
Total number of sitting days: 149

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	17 Dec 1998	11 Jan 1999
Constituency days	16 Feb 1999	22 Feb 1999
Easter	31 Mar 1999	13 Apr 1999
May day	30 Apr 1999	04 May 1999
Whitsun	26 May 1999	8 Jun 1999
Summer	27 Jul 1999	19 Oct 1999

Recess dates 1997-98

State Opening:14 May 1997
Prorogation:  19 November 1998
Total number of sitting days: 241

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Spring Bank Holiday	22 May 1997	2 Jun 1997
Summer	31 Jul 1997	27 Oct 1997
Christmas	22 Dec 1997	12 Jan 1998
Easter	8 Apr 1998	20 Apr 1998
May day	1 May 1998	5 May 1998
Whitsun	21 May 1998	1 Jun 1998
Summer	31 Jul 1998	19 Oct 1998

Recess dates 1996-97

State Opening: 23 October 1996
Prorogation: 21 March 1997
Dissolution:  April 1997
Total number of sitting days: 86

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	19 Dec 1996	13 Jan 1997

Date of General Election: 1 May 1997

Recess dates 1995-96

State Opening: 15 November 1995
Prorogation: 17 October 1996
Total number of sitting days: 146

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	20 Dec 1995	9 Jan 1996
Easter	3 Apr 1996	16 Apr 1996
May day	3 May 1996	7 May 1996
Spring Bank Holiday	22 May 1996	4 Jun 1996
Summer	24 Jul 1996	14 Oct 1996

Recess dates 1994-95

State Opening: 16 November 1994
Prorogation: 8 November 1995
Total number of sitting days: 159

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	20 Dec 1994	10 Jan 1995
Easter	5 Apr 1995	18 Apr 1995
May day	5 May 1995	9 May 1995
Spring Bank Holiday*	25 May 1995	6 Jun 1995
Summer	19 Jul 1995	16 Oct 1995

*Emergency recall: 31 May 1995

Recess dates 1993-94

State Opening: 18 November 1993
Prorogation: 3 November 1994
Total number of sitting days: 154

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	17 Dec 1993	11 Jan 1994
Easter	31 Mar 1994	12 Apr 1994
May day	29 Apr 1994	3 May 1994
Spring Bank Holiday	26 May 1994	13 Jun 1994
Summer	21 Jul 1994	17 Oct 1994

Recess dates 1992-93

State Opening: 6 May 1992
Prorogation: 5 November 1993
Total number of sitting days: 240

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Spring Bank Holiday	22 May 1992	2 Jun 1992
Summer	16 Jul 1992	19 Oct 1992
Christmas	17 Dec 1992	11 Jan 1993
Easter	2 Apr 1993	14 Apr 1993
May day	30 Apr 1993	4 May 1993
Spring Bank Holiday	27 May 1993	7 Jun 1993
Summer	27 Jul 1993	18 Oct 1993

Recess dates 1991-92

State Opening: 31 October 1991
Dissolution: 16 March 1992
Total number of sitting days: 83

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	20 Dec 1991	13 Jan 1992

Date of General Election: 9 April 1992

Recess dates 1990-91

State Opening: 7 November 1990
Prorogation: 22 October 1991
Total number of sitting days: 160

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	20 Dec 1990	14 Jan 1991
Easter	28 Mar 1991	15 Apr 1991
May day	3 May 1991	7 May 1991
Spring Bank Holiday	23 May 1991	3 Jun 1991
Summer	25 Jul 1991	14 Oct 1991

Recess dates 1989-90

State Opening: 21 November 1989
Prorogation: 1 November 1990
Total number of sitting days: 167

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	21 Dec 1989	8 Jan 1990
Easter	5 Apr 1990	18 Apr 1990
May day	4 May 1990	8 May 1990
Spring Bank Holiday	24 May 1990	5 Jun 1990
Summer	26 Jul 1990	15 Oct 1990

Recess dates 1988-89

State Opening: 22 November 1988
Prorogation: 16 November 1989
Total number of sitting days: 176

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	22 Dec 1988	10 Jan 1989
Easter	23 Mar 1989	4 Apr 1989
May day	28 Apr 1989	2 May 1989
Spring Bank Holiday	26 May 1989	6 Jun 1989
Summer	28 Jul 1989	17 Oct 1989

Recess dates 1987-88

State Opening: 25 June 1987
Prorogation: 15 November 1988
Total number of sitting days: 218

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Summer	24 Jul 1987	21 Oct 1987
Christmas	18 Dec 1987	11 Jan 1988
Easter	31 Mar 1988	12 Apr 1988
May day	29 Apr 1988	3 May 1988
Spring Bank Holiday	27 May 1988	7 Jun 1988
Summer	29 Jul 1988	19 Oct 1988

Recess dates 1986-87

State Opening: 12 November 1986
Dissolution: 18 May 1987
Total number of sitting days: 109

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	19 Dec 1986	12 Jan 1987
Easter	10 Apr 1987	22 Apr 1987
May day	1 May 1987	5 May 1987

Date of General Election: 11 June 1987

Recess dates 1985-86

State Opening: 6 November 1985
Prorogation: 7 November 1986
Total number of sitting days: 172

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	20 Dec 1985	13 Jan 1986
Easter	27 Mar 1986	8 Apr 1986
May day	2 May 1986	6 May 1986
Spring Bank Holiday	23 May 1986	3 Jun 1986
Summer	25 Jul 1986	21 Oct 1986

Recess dates 1984-85

State Opening: 6 November 1984
Prorogation: 30 October 1985
Total number of sitting days: 172

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	21 Dec 1984	9 Jan 1985
Easter	4 Apr 1985	15 Apr 1985
May day	3 May 1985	7 May 1985
Spring Bank Holiday	24 May 1985	3 Jun 1985
Summer	26 Jul 1985	21 Oct 1985

Recess dates 1983-84

State Opening: 22 June 1983
Prorogation: 31 October 1984
Total number of sitting days: 213

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Summer	29 Jul 1983	24 Oct 1983
Christmas	22 Dec 1983	16 Jan 1984
Easter	13 Apr 1984	25 Apr 1984
May day	4 May 1984	8 May 1984
Spring Bank Holiday	25 May 1984	4 Jun 1984
Summer	1 Aug 1984	22 Oct 1984

Recess dates 1982-83

State Opening: 3 November 1982
Dissolution: 13 May 1983
Total number of sitting days: 115

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	23 Dec 1982	17 Jan 1983
Easter	31 Mar 1983	11 Apr 1983
May day	29 Apr 1983	3 May 1983

Date of General Election: 9 June 1983

Recess dates 1981-82

State Opening: 4 November 1981
Prorogation: 28 October 1982
Total number of sitting days: 174

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	23 Dec 1981	18 Jan 1982
Easter*	8 Apr 1982	19 Apr 1982
May day	30 Apr 1982	7 May 1982
Spring Bank Holiday	28 May 1982	8 Jun 1982
Summer	30 Jul 1982	18 Oct 1982

*Emergency recall: 14 April 1982

Recess dates 1980-81

State Opening: 20 November 1980
Prorogation: 30 October 1981
Total number of sitting days: 163

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Christmas	19 Dec 1980	12 Jan 1981
Easter	16 Apr 1981	27 Apr 1981
May day	1 May 1981	5 May 1981
Spring Bank Holiday	22 May 1981	1 Jun 1981
Summer (29 July holiday for Royal Wedding)	31 Jul 1981	19 Oct 1981

Recess dates 1979-80

Date of General Election: 3 May 1979
State Opening: 15 May 1979
Prorogation: 13 November 1980
Total number of sitting days (including swearing-in): 244

Recess	Rise of the House	Return of the House
Spring Bank Holiday & European Assembly Elections	25 May 1979	11 Jun 1979
Summer	27 Jul 1979	22 Oct 1979
Christmas	21 Dec 1979	14 Jan 1980
Easter	3 Apr 1980	14 Apr 1980
May day	2 May 1980	6 May 1980
Spring Bank Holiday	23 May 1980	2 Jun 1980
Summer	8 Aug 1980	27 Oct 1980

State Opening of Parliament

Further information on this is available on the House of Lords FAQ: State Opening.

Further information on the parliamentary timetable is included in the House of Commons Information Office Factsheet P4: Sittings of the House ( PDF 274 KB).