Bank holidays in the United Kingdom are more than just days off work—they are opportunities to spend quality time with family, travel, or relax. Understanding all UK bank holidays 2025 is essential for planning vacations, managing work schedules, and preparing for regional variations across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
In 2025, several holidays fall alongside weekends, creating perfect long weekends. For example, Christmas Day is on a Thursday and Boxing Day on Friday, offering a rare four-day festive break. By planning ahead, you can strategically combine annual leave with public holidays to enjoy extended vacations, avoid peak travel periods, and make the most of free time.
Whether you are a professional, student, or business owner, knowing the bank holiday schedule helps in coordinating work, travel, and personal activities effectively. This guide provides a complete list of holidays, practical planning tips, calendars, and regional variations for 2025.
Complete List of UK Bank Holidays 2025
The UK has several standard bank holidays, with a few additional dates depending on the region. Here’s a detailed breakdown for each area:
England and Wales
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| 1 January | Wednesday | New Year’s Day |
| 18 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 21 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 5 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 26 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 25 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Friday | Boxing Day |
Scotland
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| 1 January | Wednesday | New Year’s Day |
| 2 January | Thursday | Additional New Year Holiday |
| 18 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 21 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 5 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 26 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 25 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Friday | Boxing Day |
Northern Ireland
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| 1 January | Wednesday | New Year’s Day |
| 17 March | Monday | St. Patrick’s Day |
| 18 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 21 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 5 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 26 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 25 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Friday | Boxing Day |
| 12 July | Saturday | Battle of the Boyne |
Note: If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute day is observed, usually the following Monday. Always check official calendars to ensure accuracy.
Number of Bank Holidays in 2025
- England and Wales: 8 bank holidays
- Scotland: 9 bank holidays, including the extra New Year holiday
- Northern Ireland: 10 bank holidays, including St. Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne
Knowing the total number of holidays helps with planning leave, school schedules, and office staffing. It also ensures you don’t miss opportunities for long weekends or regional events.
Key Long Weekends and Holiday Planning
2025 offers several long weekends that can be leveraged for travel or relaxation:
- Early May Bank Holiday (5 May): Ideal for spring trips and outdoor activities.
- Spring Bank Holiday (26 May): Perfect for combining with leave for a longer break.
- Summer Bank Holiday (25 August): Great for family outings, festivals, and end-of-summer holidays.
- Christmas & Boxing Day (25–26 December): A rare four-day festive break perfect for travel, family gatherings, or winter getaways.
Practical Tip: By taking six days of leave around the Christmas holidays (22–24 December and 29–31 December), you can enjoy 13 consecutive days off—ideal for travel or extended family time.
Planning ahead ensures you avoid crowded periods and maximize free time. Consider local events, school closures, and transport availability when planning trips.
UK Bank Holidays 2025 Calendar Formats
Different calendar formats make holiday planning easier:
- Printable Calendars: Pin at home or in the office to quickly identify weekends and bank holidays. Colour coding can highlight regional variations.
- Digital Calendars: Excel, Google Calendar, or ICS formats can integrate directly with work schedules and family planners.
- Planning Tools: Apps and websites can automatically calculate long weekends, suggest leave days, and provide reminders for regional holidays.
Using multiple formats ensures that everyone in your household or office can stay organized and plan effectively for the year ahead.
Regional Differences and Important Notes
Although most bank holidays are shared across the UK, some regions observe additional dates:
- Scotland: 2 January and occasional local holidays.
- Northern Ireland: St. Patrick’s Day (17 March) and the Battle of the Boyne (12 July).
These differences affect:
- Public services: Offices, libraries, and government services may close on regional holidays.
- Transport: Train and bus services may run on limited schedules during holidays.
- Schools: School closures vary by region and local authority.
Being aware of regional variations helps avoid missed appointments, ensures smooth travel, and allows for proper holiday planning.
Planning Around Major Holidays
Major holidays offer excellent opportunities for extended breaks:
- Easter (18–21 April): A spring holiday ideal for family outings or short trips.
- May Bank Holidays (5 & 26 May): Perfect for long weekend getaways or outdoor activities.
- Summer Bank Holiday (25 August): Great for exploring festivals, countryside trips, or beach holidays.
- Christmas & Boxing Day (25–26 December): Four-day festive break for travel, family, and personal projects.
Employers can also plan ahead to manage staffing, ensuring smooth operations while allowing employees to take advantage of extended breaks.
Transport, Schools, and Business Impact
- Transport: Services may run on limited schedules on holidays, particularly Christmas and Easter. Always check with local providers for accurate timetables.
- Schools: Term dates and mid-term breaks differ by region. Many local authorities follow standard schedules, but it’s important to verify exact dates for planning family trips.
- Businesses: Shops, offices, and public attractions may close or reduce hours. Planning around bank holidays ensures minimal disruption to work and daily life.
FAQs About UK Bank Holidays 2025
- How many UK bank holidays are there in 2025?
- England & Wales: 8, Scotland: 9, Northern Ireland: 10, including regional holidays.
- England & Wales: 8, Scotland: 9, Northern Ireland: 10, including regional holidays.
- When are the UK bank holidays 2025 in England and Wales?
- 1 Jan, 18 Apr, 21 Apr, 5 May, 26 May, 25 Aug, 25 Dec, 26 Dec.
- 1 Jan, 18 Apr, 21 Apr, 5 May, 26 May, 25 Aug, 25 Dec, 26 Dec.
- Are there extra bank holidays in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
- Yes, Scotland observes 2 January, and Northern Ireland observes St. Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne.
- Yes, Scotland observes 2 January, and Northern Ireland observes St. Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne.
- Do bank holidays affect schools?
- Yes, closures vary by region and local authority.
- Yes, closures vary by region and local authority.
- Do employers have to give bank holidays off?
- There is no legal requirement, but many include them as part of annual leave or offer additional leave.
- There is no legal requirement, but many include them as part of annual leave or offer additional leave.
- How can I maximize long weekends in 2025?
- Combine annual leave with bank holidays, e.g., Christmas period for a 13-day break.
- Combine annual leave with bank holidays, e.g., Christmas period for a 13-day break.
- Where can I download a UK bank holidays 2025 calendar?
- Printable PDFs, Excel sheets, and Google Calendar files are widely available online.
- Printable PDFs, Excel sheets, and Google Calendar files are widely available online.
- Do bank holidays affect public transport?
- Yes, trains and buses may run reduced schedules during holidays.
- Yes, trains and buses may run reduced schedules during holidays.
- Are there tips for booking leave around holidays?
- Book early, check regional schedules, and plan around school holidays for family trips.
- Book early, check regional schedules, and plan around school holidays for family trips.
- How do regional holidays differ in the UK?
- Scotland and Northern Ireland observe additional dates not included in England and Wales, affecting services, schools, and local businesses.
- Scotland and Northern Ireland observe additional dates not included in England and Wales, affecting services, schools, and local businesses.
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