Planning time off can feel complicated if you don’t have any set holidays you want to book, especially when public holidays are involved. In 2025, the UK has several bank holidays that could give you extra days to relax. So let’s find out how to make the most of these dates and maximise your annual leave.
Full List of UK Bank Holidays 2025
Get ready to plan with the full list of UK bank holidays for 2025! From New Year’s Day to Christmas, each region has unique dates to enjoy.
2025 UK Bank Holidays:
| Date | Day of the week | Bank holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
2026 UK Bank Holidays:
| Date | Day of the week | Bank holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 4 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 25 May | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 31 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day |
| 28 December | Monday | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
2026 UK Bank Holidays:
| Date | Day of the week | Bank holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 26 March | Friday | Good Friday |
| 29 March | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 3 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
| 31 May | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
| 30 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
| 27 December | Monday | Christmas Day (substitute day) |
| 28 December | Tuesday | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
If a bank holiday is on a weekend, a ‘substitute’ weekday becomes a bank holiday, normally the following Monday.
England and Wales
Good Friday falls on 18 April 2025, marking the start of a long Easter weekend. Easter Monday follows on 21 April, perfect for taking extra leave. The Early May Bank Holiday is set for 5 May, offering another chance to extend your break with strategic planning.
The Spring Bank Holiday arrives on 26 May, creating opportunities for a late spring getaway. August brings the Summer Bank Holiday on the last Monday, 25 August—ideal timing for school holidays or a family trip.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day land on Thursday and Friday (25–26 December), giving you an effortless four-day festive season celebration!
Plan ahead—bank holidays can instantly improve your work-life balance
!
Scotland
Scotland has some different bank holiday dates compared to England and Wales. The year starts with 1st January, New Year’s Day, followed by 2nd January as an extra public holiday.
St Andrew’s Day on 30th November is also unique to Scotland, offering another special day off for celebrations.
Early August brings the summer holidays with the first Monday marked as a public holiday, unlike England’s last Monday of August. These differences provide Scots more chances for long weekends or extended breaks during the year.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has a few unique bank holidays in its calendar. St Patrick’s Day falls on 17th March, celebrated with parades and special events. Another key date is Orangemen’s Day on 12th July, marking the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne—a moment of huge significance.
Public holiday dates often include substitute days if they fall on weekends. For example, Easter Sunday doesn’t count as an official public holiday, but other Easter dates may vary depending on the full moon.
These extra dates are great for planning longer breaks around the spring or summer seasons!
Tips to Maximise Annual Leave in 2025
Combining bank holidays with weekends
Pair the Early May bank holiday on 5th May with a day or two of annual leave. This creates a long break for relaxation or special occasions. The Spring Bank holiday on 26th May also works well for extra time off by combining it with weekends.
Plan wisely around the Summer bank holiday on 25th August. Adding just one to two days of annual leave can turn it into a late summer getaway, perfect for recharging before autumn begins.
Strategic leave planning around seasonal holidays
Combining weekends with bank holidays during seasonal events boosts time off even more. The Easter holidays on 18 April (Good Friday) and 21 April (Easter Monday) offer a perfect chance to book the week in between for a longer break.
This can result in over nine days away from work using just four annual leave days.
Christmas is another great time for extra rest. Taking leave between Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December), combined with New Year’s Day on the following Thursday, gives you nearly a full week off.
Best Times for Extended Breaks
Easter holidays
Good Friday in 2025 falls on 18 April, making it a perfect chance to plan time off. Easter Monday follows on 21 April, giving a long weekend of four days. By using just four more annual leave days before or after Easter, you can enjoy a ten-day break.
Plan strategically to make the most out of these special days without cutting into your annual leave entitlements heavily!
Summer bank holiday
The Summer bank holiday falls on Monday, 25 August 2025. It’s perfect for an end-of-summer getaway or a simple break from the daily grind. Book four days off around this date, and you could enjoy nine full days of rest. Combine it with weekends to maximise your time away without using too much leave.
Christmas and New Year
Christmas Day in 2025 falls on a Thursday. This is perfect for planning a long holiday. Boxing Day follows on Friday, creating a four-day weekend without needing extra leave (if you work a Monday-Friday job). New Year’s Day in 2026 lands on a Thursday too, offering another chance for an extended break.
Use this pattern wisely. Take just three annual leave days between Christmas and New Year to enjoy over ten days off work! These dates make it easy to combine seasonal holidays with bank holidays while saving your annual leave balance.
Conclusion
Bank holidays in 2025 offer many chances to relax and recharge. Plan smartly to combine days off with weekends for longer breaks. Make the most of Easter, summer, and festive periods for well-earned rest.
Use this guide to get the best out of your annual leave next year!
It’s good to know if holidays coincide in the different places where you’re going on vacation in order to organize yourself better and in advance. Thanks for sharing these tips! Kisses.