UK bank holidays 2025: full list of upcoming dates
These prized days have always been a great way to boost annual leave, especially if you're clever about which ones you take off. May is great for bank holidays, with one at the end and one at the start of the month to look forward — perfect if you're planning a long weekend away. With that in mind, here are the upcoming bank holidays to take note of in 2025.
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Will there be an extra bank holiday in 2025?
There has been speculation that the UK might get an extra day off in 2025 with a bank holiday to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
Two dates would seem likely contenders for consideration. May 8 is Victory in Europe Day —the day that marked the end of Second World War in Europe — and so a bank holiday on Friday, May 9 or Monday, May 12 would make it a long weekend. There's also August 15, which marks the day Imperial Japan surrendered. If this date was chosen instead, a bank holiday could land on Friday, August 22 to create an extra-long weekend.
In November 2024, the Prime Minister's official spokesperson reportedly denied any such plans, suggesting that commemorative events would be on the cards instead. However, calls continue to grow for a bank holiday, so watch this space.
When is the next bank holiday in the UK?
The next bank holiday in the UK is the early May bank holiday on Monday, May 5.
How many bank holidays are there in the UK in 2025?
There are four nations in the UK and the number of bank holidays for each one is different. England and Wales each have eight bank holidays, Scotland has nine and Northern Ireland has ten.
In some years, there have also been additional bank holidays due to special events, such as the King's coronation in 2023.
What are the bank holiday dates in England and Wales for 2025?
In 2025, the bank holidays are as follows:
• 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
What about bank holiday dates in Scotland and Northern Ireland?
In 2025, Scotland has the following bank holidays:
• 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 day)
• Thursday, December 25 Christmas Day
• Friday, December 26 Boxing Day
Northern Ireland's bank holidays are largely the same as those for England and Wales, but there are two extra days off: St Patrick's Day and a day to mark the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen's Day). The dates for 2025 are:
• 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
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