Upcoming UK Bank Holidays in 2025: Planning your time off can make all the difference between feeling overworked and staying refreshed throughout the year. One of the best ways to do this in the UK is by leveraging bank holidays to create bonus long weekends—without burning through your annual leave. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent coordinating school breaks, or an HR manager planning team rotas, knowing when these holidays fall—and how to make the most of them—is essential. In this guide, we’ll break down all the UK Bank Holidays in 2025, including tips for maximising your annual leave and insights into how these holidays differ across the UK regions.
Upcoming UK Bank Holidays in 2025
The UK’s 2025 bank holiday calendar is packed with opportunities for longer breaks—if you plan ahead wisely. Whether you’re dreaming of a spring getaway, a summer adventure, or a cosy winter retreat, a little planning goes a long way. By understanding the dates and aligning your leave effectively, you can stretch your holiday time, avoid burnout, and create balance throughout your year.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Bank Holidays in 2025 | England & Wales: 8Scotland: 9Northern Ireland: 10 |
| Next Bank Holiday (UK-wide) | Good Friday – Friday, 18 April 2025 |
| Peak Holiday Opportunities | Easter (April), May Day (May), Summer Bank Holiday (August), Christmas (December) |
| Professional Tip | Strategic leave planning can turn 4 annual leave days into 9–10 consecutive days off |
| Official Source | UK Government Bank Holiday Calendar |
What Are Bank Holidays?
Bank holidays are public holidays when most businesses, schools, and non-essential services close for the day. Originally intended for banking institutions, they’ve evolved into nationwide days off observed across industries.
In the UK, bank holidays are set by government legislation and can vary by country:
- England and Wales
- Scotland
- Northern Ireland
Some holidays are shared across all regions (like Christmas Day), while others are region-specific (such as St Andrew’s Day in Scotland and St Patrick’s Day in Northern Ireland).
Full List of Upcoming UK Bank Holidays in 2025
England and Wales
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wednesday | New Year’s Day |
| 18 Apr | Friday | Good Friday |
| 21 Apr | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 5 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 26 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 25 Aug | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 Dec | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec | Friday | Boxing Day |
Scotland
Scotland observes several distinct dates in addition to some shared holidays:
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wednesday | New Year’s Day |
| 2 Jan | Thursday | 2nd January |
| 18 Apr | Friday | Good Friday |
| 5 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 26 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 4 Aug | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 1 Dec | Monday | St Andrew’s Day (substitute) |
| 25 Dec | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec | Friday | Boxing Day |
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland includes culturally significant days like St Patrick’s Day:
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wednesday | New Year’s Day |
| 17 Mar | Monday | St Patrick’s Day |
| 18 Apr | Friday | Good Friday |
| 21 Apr | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 5 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 26 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 14 Jul | Monday | Battle of the Boyne (substitute day) |
| 25 Aug | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 Dec | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec | Friday | Boxing Day |
How to Maximise Your Annual Leave in 2025?
Here’s the magic: strategic annual leave planning. With just four leave days, you can often turn a single day off into a nine-day holiday!
April – Easter Opportunity
- Book Off: April 14–17
- Holiday Weekend: April 18 (Good Friday) – April 21 (Easter Monday)
- Total Time Off: 10 days (April 12–21)
May – Early May Bank Holiday
- Book Off: May 6–9
- Holiday Weekend: May 3–5
- Total Time Off: 9 days
May/June – Spring Bank Holiday
- Book Off: May 27–30
- Total Time Off: 9 days
August – Summer Bank Holiday
- Book Off: August 26–29
- Total Time Off: 9 days
Christmas/New Year Break
- Book Off: December 22–24 and 29–31
- Bank Holidays: Dec 25–26 and Jan 1 (2026)
- Total Time Off: 16 days (Dec 20–Jan 4) using just 7 days leave
Why Bank Holidays Matter in the Workplace?
For businesses and HR professionals, bank holidays impact staffing, payroll, and operations. Here’s what you need to know:
- Holiday Pay: Employees aren’t automatically entitled to paid leave on bank holidays, unless specified in contracts.
- Staffing Strategy: Use rota planning tools to ensure critical roles are covered during long weekends.
- Remote Work Flexibility: Consider hybrid policies to ease post-holiday transitions.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Upcoming UK Bank Holidays
Do bank holidays count as annual leave?
No, unless your employment contract states otherwise. They are typically additional days off, but not deducted from your annual leave allowance.
Can I be asked to work on a bank holiday?
Yes. Your employer can require you to work on a bank holiday if your contract allows it. Compensation or time-off-in-lieu policies vary.
What if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?
A “substitute day” (usually the next weekday) is designated as the public holiday.
Are schools closed on bank holidays?
Yes, schools are generally closed on UK bank holidays.
Is there any talk of adding new bank holidays?
There have been petitions and political suggestions—like making St George’s Day a national holiday—but no official changes are scheduled for 2025.
