UK bank holidays are cherished breaks, offering opportunities to extend annual leave or plan vacations. With strategic planning, you can maximize your time off—for instance, in spring 2025, using just nine days of annual leave can translate into an impressive 18 days away from work.
This guide delves into the specifics of UK bank holidays, including whether an extra bank holiday is expected in 2025, how many holidays each region enjoys, and the official holiday dates for England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
There has been speculation about an additional bank holiday in 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Two significant dates were considered:
May 8: Victory in Europe (VE) Day, potentially leading to a bank holiday on May 9 (Friday) or May 12 (Monday).
August 15: Surrender of Imperial Japan, which could result in a bank holiday on August 22 (Friday).
However, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson has dismissed the possibility of an extra bank holiday. Instead, commemorative events are expected to honor these anniversaries.
Remaining Bank Holidays in 2024
Before planning for 2025, here are the remaining bank holidays for 2024 across the UK:
England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Wednesday, December 25: Christmas Day
Thursday, December 26: Boxing Day
Scotland
Monday, December 2: Substitute bank holiday for St. Andrew’s Day
Bank Holidays in the UK for 2025
England and Wales Bank Holidays
England and Wales share the same bank holiday schedule. Here are the confirmed dates:
Date
Holiday
Wednesday, January 1
New Year’s Day
Friday, April 18
Good Friday
Monday, April 21
Easter Monday
Monday, May 5
Early May Bank Holiday
Monday, May 26
Spring Bank Holiday
Monday, August 25
Summer Bank Holiday
Thursday, December 25
Christmas Day
Friday, December 26
Boxing Day
Scotland Bank Holidays 2025
Scotland enjoys an additional holiday on January 2 and observes St. Andrew’s Day in December.
Date
Holiday
Wednesday, January 1
New Year’s Day
Thursday, January 2
2nd January
Friday, April 18
Good Friday
Monday, May 5
Early May Bank Holiday
Monday, May 26
Spring Bank Holiday
Monday, August 4
Summer Bank Holiday
Monday, December 1
St. Andrew’s Day (Substitute)
Thursday, December 25
Christmas Day
Friday, December 26
Boxing Day
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2025
Northern Ireland’s calendar includes two unique holidays: St. Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day).
Date
Holiday
Wednesday, January 1
New Year’s Day
Monday, March 17
St. Patrick’s Day
Friday, April 18
Good Friday
Monday, April 21
Easter Monday
Monday, May 5
Early May Bank Holiday
Monday, May 26
Spring Bank Holiday
Monday, July 14
Battle of the Boyne
Monday, August 25
Summer Bank Holiday
Thursday, December 25
Christmas Day
Friday, December 26
Boxing Day
How to Maximize Your Leave in 2025
For those keen to make the most of their time off, bank holidays offer a strategic advantage:
Spring 2025: Take annual leave around Easter and May bank holidays to create a longer vacation.
August: Leverage the summer bank holiday to enjoy an extended getaway.
FAQs
1. What is the purpose of bank holidays?
Bank holidays provide workers with a break from regular duties, and they are often used for rest, travel, or special celebrations.
2. Will there be additional bank holidays in 2025?
There are no confirmed extra bank holidays for 2025, though commemorative events will be held for the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end.
3. Do bank holiday schedules vary across the UK?
Due to regional celebrations, Scotland and Northern Ireland have more bank holidays than England and Wales.
4. How can I plan holidays around bank holidays?
Using bank holidays strategically alongside annual leave can maximize time off. For example, aligning leave with Easter or summer holidays can extend vacations significantly.
5. Are bank holidays mandatory days off for everyone?
Not all workers get bank holidays off, as this depends on employment contracts. However, many essential services operate on these days.
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