Planning your holidays wisely can be a great way to extend your time off without using too many annual leave days. The UK’s bank holiday schedule for 2025 gives workers across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland several opportunities to do just that—especially when strategic time off is booked around long weekends.
Let’s look at the official list of UK bank holidays in 2025, separated by region, and how you can maximize them.
UK Bank Holidays 2025: Overview by Region
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 | 2nd January |
| 18 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 5 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 26 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 4 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 30 November | Sunday | St Andrew’s Day |
| 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 |
| 14 July | Monday | Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day)* |
| 25 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Friday | Boxing Day |
*Dates like Orangemen’s Day and St Patrick’s Day are specific to Northern Ireland and do not apply across the rest of the UK.
Maximize Your Time Off in 2025
You can stretch your holidays by planning around long weekends. For instance:
- Spring Break Hack: Book 14–17 April and 22–25 April off and combine with Good Friday (18 April) and Easter Monday (21 April) to get 18 consecutive days off using just 9 days of leave.
- Christmas Extension: With Christmas Day falling on a Thursday, booking 23–24 and 29–31 December could give you a long festive break heading into the New Year.
Regional Differences: Why It Matters
- England & Wales usually have 8 bank holidays.
- Scotland enjoys 9 bank holidays, including 2 January and St Andrew’s Day.
- Northern Ireland tops the list with 10, thanks to St Patrick’s Day and Orangemen’s Day.
These variations are important for employees and employers managing leave across UK regions.
Tips for Employees and Employers
- Plan early: Bank holiday weeks get busy—book time off in advance.
- Coordinate leave: For teams, stagger holidays to maintain workflow.
- Watch for substitute days: When a holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday is usually granted.
The 2025 UK bank holiday calendar offers plenty of chances to relax, travel, or simply enjoy extended weekends. With smart planning, you can make the most of your annual leave and enjoy well-earned time off throughout the year.
FAQs
Are bank holidays the same across the UK?
No. England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have different sets of holidays.
What happens if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?
A substitute day is given—usually the following Monday.
Can I be forced to work on a bank holiday?
It depends on your employment contract. Some sectors require holiday shifts, but extra pay or time in lieu is often offered.
Are bank holidays paid?
Most full-time employees receive paid leave for bank holidays, but this varies by contract.
