Bank Holidays 2025 UK – Complete Guide with Official Dates

UK Bank Holidays 2025 – Complete Guide

Planning a holiday, a long weekend, or simply marking the calendar for 2025? The United Kingdom’s bank holidays differ by nation, and knowing the exact dates can make a difference for travel, work scheduling, and even school terms. The official 2025 list has been confirmed by the UK government, with England and Wales sharing eight days, Scotland observing nine, and Northern Ireland enjoying ten.

New Year’s Day kicks off the year on 1 January, a Wednesday, across all four nations. Easter arrives relatively early in 2025, with Good Friday on 18 April and Easter Monday on 21 April for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The spring and summer bank holidays follow in May and August, though the exact Monday changes depending on where you live.

This guide provides the full, verified list of dates for each region, explains the key differences, and answers the most common planning questions. All information is drawn from official government sources and cross-checked against publicly available calendars.

What are the UK bank holidays in 2025?

England & Wales: 8 bank holidays
Scotland: 9 bank holidays
Northern Ireland: 10 bank holidays
Earliest holiday 2025: New Year’s Day – 1 January (all regions)

2025 has a standard set of bank holidays for each nation; no extra days have been announced for royal or national celebrations.
Easter is relatively early – Good Friday 18 April, Easter Monday 21 April.
May bank holidays fall on 5 May (Early May) and 26 May (Spring/Late May).
August bank holiday is 25 August for England & Wales and Northern Ireland, but 4 August for Scotland.
Scotland observes 2 January and St Andrew’s Day (1 December substitute) instead of Easter Monday.
Northern Ireland adds St Patrick’s Day (17 March) and the Battle of the Boyne (14 July substitute).

Region	Holiday	Date (2025)	Day of Week
England & Wales	New Year’s Day	1 Jan	Wednesday
England & Wales	Good Friday	18 Apr	Friday
England & Wales	Easter Monday	21 Apr	Monday
England & Wales	Early May	5 May	Monday
England & Wales	Spring	26 May	Monday
England & Wales	Summer	25 Aug	Monday
England & Wales	Christmas Day	25 Dec	Thursday
England & Wales	Boxing Day	26 Dec	Friday
Scotland	2nd January	2 Jan	Thursday
Scotland	St Andrew’s Day (substitute)	1 Dec	Monday
Northern Ireland	St Patrick’s Day	17 Mar	Monday
Northern Ireland	Battle of the Boyne (substitute)	14 Jul	Monday

When is the May bank holiday in 2025?

May 2025 brings two bank holidays across the UK: the Early May bank holiday on Monday 5 May and the Spring bank holiday on Monday 26 May. Scotland observes both, as do England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Spring bank holiday is sometimes called the Late May bank holiday.

When is the August bank holiday in 2025?

The August bank holiday falls on the last Monday of August for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland – that is 25 August. Scotland, however, places its summer bank holiday on the first Monday of August, which is 4 August. This difference means the summer break arrives earlier in Scotland.

Are there any bank holidays in November 2025?

Yes, but only in Scotland. St Andrew’s Day, 30 November, falls on a Sunday in 2025, so the substitute bank holiday is observed on Monday 1 December. No other nation has a bank holiday in November 2025.

Understanding substitute days

When a bank holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday, the government designates a substitute weekday (usually the next Monday) as the official day off. In 2025, this applies to St Andrew’s Day (Scotland) and the Battle of the Boyne (Northern Ireland). Always check substitute dates before booking time off.

How many bank holidays are there in 2025 and how do they compare to 2026?

England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2025, Scotland has 9, and Northern Ireland has 10. No extra holidays have been announced for 2025, unlike the additional celebrations seen in 2022 and 2023 for royal occasions. The pattern is expected to remain similar in 2026, though calendar shifts will alter some dates.

What are the UK bank holidays for 2026?

For 2026, New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday and Christmas Day on a Friday. Boxing Day (26 December) lands on a Saturday, so the substitute bank holiday will be Monday 28 December. The overall count per region stays the same, but specific dates move. For a full preview, see UK public holidays 2026 – planning ahead.

Where can I find the official UK government list of 2025 bank holidays?

The definitive source is GOV.UK – Bank holidays, which publishes tables for each nation separately. For Scotland, the Scottish Government provides its own list, and Northern Ireland’s official information is on NI Direct. All data used here has been cross-checked with these official sources as well as with published calendars from Factorial HR and Time Out.

What is the chronological order of bank holidays in 2025?

1 January – New Year’s Day (all regions)
17 March – St Patrick’s Day (Northern Ireland only)
18 April – Good Friday (all regions)
21 April – Easter Monday (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)
5 May – Early May bank holiday (all regions)
26 May – Spring bank holiday (all regions)
14 July – Battle of the Boyne substitute (Northern Ireland only)
4 August – Summer bank holiday (Scotland)
25 August – Summer bank holiday (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)
1 December – St Andrew’s Day substitute (Scotland)
25 December – Christmas Day (all regions)
26 December – Boxing Day (all regions)

Which bank holiday dates are certain and which remain uncertain?

Established information	Information that remains unclear
All dates listed above are confirmed by the UK government and are fixed unless noted.	A potential extra bank holiday could be declared for a royal event or national celebration (none announced as of early 2025).
Substitute days for holidays falling on weekends – e.g., St Andrew’s Day (Sunday) replaced by Monday 1 Dec; Battle of the Boyne (Saturday) replaced by Monday 14 Jul.	Easter dates are astronomically determined; the 2025 dates are fixed but will differ in 2026 and beyond.

Check for late announcements

While the 2025 schedule is settled, the UK government may occasionally announce additional one-off bank holidays. No such announcement has been made for 2025 as of the publication of this guide. Always monitor official sources for updates.

Where do UK bank holidays come from and how do they work?

A bank holiday is a public holiday in the United Kingdom during which most businesses, schools, and government offices close, and public transport often runs a reduced service. The concept was established by the Bank Holidays Act 1871, introduced by Sir John Lubbock. The legislation originally created four bank holidays in England and Wales, and five in Scotland and Ireland. The current number has grown through later acts and devolved decisions.

Each nation’s government sets its own holidays: the UK government determines dates for England and Wales; the Scottish Government for Scotland; and the Northern Ireland Executive for Northern Ireland. This is why the lists differ. A common misconception is that Good Friday is a statutory bank holiday in Scotland – it is not legally a bank holiday, though it is widely observed. Boxing Day is always observed on 26 December, with a substitute day provided if it falls on a weekend.

For historical context on how bank holidays were first established, the UK Parliament’s overview provides a useful background.

Where can I find official information about UK bank holidays 2025?

The authoritative source is the GOV.UK bank holidays page, which states: “The dates of bank holidays are set by the government of the relevant country.” This page provides annual tables for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

For Scotland-specific information, refer to the Scottish Government bank holidays publication. For Northern Ireland, the NI Direct bank holidays page is the official source.

“The dates of bank holidays are set by the government of the relevant country.”

GOV.UK – Bank holidays

Additional context on how bank holidays function across the UK can be found in the BBC News explainer.

What should I know about UK bank holidays 2025 for planning?

For 2025, all dates are confirmed and no extra days have been added. If you are already thinking about 2026, the pattern will be similar, but with New Year’s Day on a Thursday and Boxing Day on a Saturday (substitute Monday 28 December). To stay updated, bookmark the official GOV.UK bank holidays page and check back in late 2025 for any announcements. You can also add dates to your digital calendar via the ICS feeds available on that page. For retail and service planning, consult our Guide to bank holiday opening hours for retail.

Frequently asked questions about UK bank holidays 2025

Are shops open on bank holidays in the UK?

Generally, many shops open but with reduced hours. Large supermarkets may open but with restricted trading hours. Check local listings.

Do banks close on bank holidays?

Yes, most high street banks are closed on bank holidays. Online and telephone banking remain available.

What if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?

In the UK, a substitute weekday (usually Monday) is given as a bank holiday. For example, if Christmas Day falls on Saturday, the following Monday is a bank holiday.

Are bank holidays different in Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Yes. Scotland has two New Year holidays and St Andrew’s Day. Northern Ireland has St Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne. England and Wales share the same set.

How can I download a calendar of 2025 bank holidays?

The official GOV.UK page offers downloadable ICS files. Many third-party sites also offer printable PDFs, but always verify data against the official list.

Will public transport run on bank holidays?

Public transport typically runs a reduced service on bank holidays. Check local timetables in advance, as some routes may be suspended or operate a Sunday schedule.

Are schools closed on bank holidays?

Yes, state schools are closed on bank holidays. Private schools may vary, but most observe them.