What are the UK bank holidays in 2025?

Key insights for 2025

• Most bank holidays fall on Mondays, creating regular long weekend opportunities throughout the year
• England and Wales observe 8 bank holidays, the fewest of any UK nation
• Scotland adds 2nd January and St Andrew’s Day, bringing its total to 9
• Northern Ireland celebrates the most with 10 holidays, including St Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne
• No substitute days were required in 2025 as all holidays fall on weekdays
• Summer Bank Holiday arrives on 25 August for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but 4 August for Scotland

Complete UK bank holiday dates for 2025

Bank holidays in 2025 for London and England/Wales

London follows the England and Wales bank holiday schedule, sharing the same eight observed dates throughout 2025. There are no city-specific holidays that apply uniquely to the capital, meaning businesses and workers in London plan their calendars identically to those across the rest of England and Wales.

England and Wales holiday schedule

The eight bank holidays for England and Wales in 2025 begin with New Year’s Day on Wednesday, 1 January. Easter provides two consecutive holidays: Good Friday on 18 April and Easter Monday on 21 April. The May period brings two Monday holidays: Early May on 5 May and Spring Bank Holiday on 26 May.

The summer season concludes with Summer Bank Holiday on Monday, 25 August. The year ends with Christmas Day on Thursday, 25 December, and Boxing Day on Friday, 26 December. Notably, Boxing Day falls on a Friday in 2025, so no substitute day arrangement was necessary.

What England and Wales do not observe

England and Wales do not recognize several holidays observed elsewhere in the UK. St Patrick’s Day on 17 March applies only to Northern Ireland. The Battle of the Boyne commemoration on 14 July similarly falls outside the England and Wales calendar. Scotland’s additional holidays, including 2 January and St Andrew’s Day on 1 December, do not apply.

Glasgow and Scotland bank holidays 2025

Scotland observes nine bank holidays in 2025, one more than England and Wales. Like London, Glasgow follows its national schedule with no city-specific additions. The Scottish approach reflects the nation’s distinct legal and cultural traditions, particularly regarding the celebration of its patron saint.

Scotland’s unique additions

The defining feature of Scotland’s bank holiday schedule is the inclusion of 2 January. While most of the UK returns to work on 2 January, Scotland continues its celebrations into the new year. This additional day off recognizes Hogmanay traditions that extend beyond midnight on New Year’s Day.

Scotland’s summer holiday timing

The Summer Bank Holiday arrives significantly earlier in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK. While England, Wales, and Northern Ireland mark this holiday on 25 August, Scotland celebrates on 4 August. This earlier date reflects historical differences in agricultural and industrial calendars across the nations.

Shared holidays with England and Wales

Beyond its unique additions, Scotland shares the major holiday dates with the rest of Great Britain. New Year’s Day, Good Friday, the May bank holidays, Christmas, and Boxing Day all fall on the same dates. Easter Monday, however, is not a bank holiday in Scotland, making the Easter break shorter than in England and Northern Ireland.

Key dates: August and May bank holidays 2025

The summer and spring bank holidays generate significant planning interest, with May and August providing the year’s longest breaks for most workers. Understanding the specific dates and regional variations helps when arranging holidays or anticipating business closures.

May bank holidays across all regions

Both May bank holidays fall on Mondays in 2025, creating two welcome long weekends for workers. The Early May Bank Holiday arrives on Monday, 5 May, while the Spring Bank Holiday follows three weeks later on Monday, 26 May. These dates apply uniformly across all UK nations, making May 2025 particularly consistent nationwide.

August bank holidays by region

August presents the year’s most significant regional divergence. England, Wales, and Northern Ireland all observe Summer Bank Holiday on Monday, 25 August. Scotland, however, celebrates its Summer Bank Holiday on Monday, 4 August. This means Scotland’s summer break ends three weeks before workers in the rest of the UK enjoy theirs.

For those wondering about the 2025 Eid Ul-Adha Date, Islamic festivals follow lunar calendars and fall on different dates each year, separate from the established bank holiday schedule.

Bank holidays 2025: Month-by-month timeline

A chronological view of the bank holiday year helps visualize when breaks occur and how they distribute across seasons. The following timeline presents all dates in order, noting regional applicability.

1. January: New Year’s Day (1 Jan, all nations); 2nd January (2 Jan, Scotland only)
2. March: St Patrick’s Day (17 Mar, Northern Ireland only)
3. April: Good Friday (18 Apr, all nations); Easter Monday (21 Apr, England/Wales/NI)
4. May: Early May Bank Holiday (5 May, all); Spring Bank Holiday (26 May, all)
5. July: Battle of the Boyne (14 Jul, Northern Ireland only)
6. August: Summer Bank Holiday (4 Aug, Scotland); Summer Bank Holiday (25 Aug, England/Wales/NI)
7. December: St Andrew’s Day substitute (1 Dec, Scotland); Christmas Day (25 Dec, all); Boxing Day (26 Dec, all)

The year begins strongly with the new year period, followed by a quiet stretch until March. April brings Easter, while May offers two consecutive Monday breaks. Summer provides one major holiday, though timing varies by region. December closes the year with Christmas and Boxing Day plus Scotland’s St Andrew’s Day substitute.

Confirmed and unconfirmed details for 2025

Most details regarding UK bank holidays for 2025 are firmly established through official government sources. However, some nuances warrant attention, particularly around regional variations and historical sources that occasionally conflict.

Understanding UK bank holidays: Background and context

Bank holidays hold statutory recognition under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, which established the framework still in use today. While termed “bank holidays,” these dates apply broadly across commerce, government, and public services rather than exclusively to financial institutions.

The regional variations reflect the United Kingdom’s constitutional complexity. Scotland, with its distinct legal system and education calendar, maintains separate holiday arrangements. Northern Ireland, with its own legislative assembly and cultural traditions, adds observances tied to Irish heritage. England and Wales, sharing legal frameworks and legislative processes, generally align their holiday schedules.

For businesses operating across UK borders, understanding these differences carries practical importance. A company with offices in Glasgow and London must coordinate different holiday calendars, potentially affecting project timelines, supply chains, and staff scheduling. Travelers too should account for regional variations, particularly the three-week gap between Scottish and English summer holidays.

The 2025 schedule notably lacks special event holidays such as jubilees or coronations, which have occasionally added extra days in previous years. This maintains the standard arrangement of eight to ten holidays depending on location.

Official sources and further reading

The most authoritative information comes directly from government sources. The GOV.UK bank holidays page provides the official schedule for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland through separate tabs. This should serve as the primary reference for any official or legal purposes.

“The bank holidays for 2025 are confirmed as: New Year’s Day (1 January), Good Friday (18 April), Easter Monday (21 April in England and Wales and Northern Ireland), Early May bank holiday (5 May), Spring bank holiday (26 May), Summer bank holiday (25 August in England and Wales and Northern Ireland), Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December).”

— GOV.UK Bank Holidays page

Northern Ireland-specific details appear on the nidirect government services website, which confirms the additional holidays unique to Northern Ireland including St Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne.

Local government bodies such as Dover District Council publish their own schedules aligned with national guidance, providing additional confirmation for regional observances.

Summary: Planning with the 2025 bank holiday schedule

The UK bank holiday landscape in 2025 offers eight holidays for England and Wales, nine for Scotland, and ten for Northern Ireland. While shared dates like Easter, the May bank holidays, and Christmas apply uniformly, regional variations reflect each nation’s distinct heritage and traditions.

For planning purposes, the May bank holidays arrive on consecutive Mondays, creating natural long weekend opportunities. The August summer break presents the year’s most significant regional difference, with Scotland’s break ending on 4 August while the rest of the UK continues working until 25 August. Those coordinating across borders should factor this three-week gap into their planning.

Anyone seeking festive inspiration might explore the Liverpool Christmas Markets 2025 for ideas on making the most of the holiday season once Christmas and Boxing Day arrive.

Frequently asked questions