UK Bank Holidays 2025: Full List & Leave Planning
Bank holidays provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy extra time off work without using too many annual leave days. By carefully planning your time off around these public holidays, you can extend your breaks and make the most of your personal time, whether for travel, relaxation, or family activities. With proper planning, you can get up to 65 days off in 2025 while only using 28 days of annual leave. This guide lists all UK bank holidays in 2025
Full List of UK Bank Holidays 2025
(England & Wales)
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January 2025 | Wednesday |
| Good Friday | 18 April 2025 | Friday |
| Easter Monday | 21 April 2025 | Monday |
| Early May Bank Holiday | 5 May 2025 | Monday |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 26 May 2025 | Monday |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 25 August 2025 | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December 2025 | Thursday |
| Boxing Day | 26 December 2025 | Friday |
Scottish Bank Holidays 2025
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Wednesday |
| 2nd January | 2 January | Thursday |
| Good Friday | 18 April | Friday |
| Easter Monday | 21 April | Monday |
| Early May Bank Holiday | 5 May | Monday |
| Spring Public Holiday | 26 May | Monday |
| Summer Holiday | 4 August | Monday |
| St Andrew’s Day | 1 December | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Thursday |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Friday |
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2025
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Wednesday |
| St Patrick’s Day | 17 March | Monday |
| Good Friday | 18 April | Friday |
| Easter Monday | 21 April | Monday |
| Early May Bank Holiday | 5 May | Monday |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 26 May | Monday |
| Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) | 14 July | Monday |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 25 August | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Thursday |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Friday |
How to Maximize Your Annual Leave in 2025
Annual leave is valuable, and with careful planning, you can significantly extend your time off. Below are the best leave strategies for 2025, allowing you to take longer breaks while using fewer holiday days.
New Year’s Break
The New Year’s holiday falls on Wednesday, 1 January, providing an opportunity for a short break right at the start of the year.
- Dates to book: Thursday, 2 January & Friday, 3 January
- Total leave days used: 2
- Consecutive days off: 5 (1 January – 5 January)
For an even longer break, consider taking Monday, 30 December, and Tuesday, 31 December 2024, giving you 9 days off from 28 December 2024 to 5 January 2025.
Easter Holiday
Easter is always one of the best times to extend your time off. Good Friday falls on 18 April, and Easter Monday on 21 April, meaning you already get a long weekend.
- Dates to book: Monday, 14 April – Thursday, 17 April & Tuesday, 22 April – Friday, 25 April
- Total leave days used: 8
- Consecutive days off: 16 (12 April – 27 April)
By booking four days off before and after the Easter bank holidays, you can create a 16-day holiday while using only 8 leave days.
Early May Bank Holiday
The Early May Bank Holiday is on Monday, 5 May, giving you the chance for an extended break in early spring.
- Dates to book: Tuesday, 6 May – Friday, 9 May
- Total leave days used: 4
- Consecutive days off: 9 (3 May – 11 May)
Taking the four days after the bank holiday means you get a 9-day break using just 4 leave days.
Spring Bank Holiday
The Spring Bank Holiday on Monday, 26 May, provides another opportunity for an extended break before the summer.
- Dates to book: Tuesday, 27 May – Friday, 30 May
- Total leave days used: 4
- Consecutive days off: 9 (24 May – 1 June)
This is a great time to take a spring trip or simply enjoy a relaxing break at home.
Summer Bank Holiday
The Summer Bank Holiday falls on Monday, 25 August, making it ideal for a late-summer getaway.
- Dates to book: Tuesday, 26 August – Friday, 29 August
- Total leave days used: 4
- Consecutive days off: 9 (23 August – 31 August)
By booking just 4 leave days, you can enjoy a 9-day break at the end of summer.
Christmas and New Year
The Christmas and New Year period is one of the best times to extend your leave. In 2025, Christmas Day falls on a Thursday, and Boxing Day is on Friday, giving you a long weekend.
- Dates to book: Monday, 22 December – Wednesday, 24 December & Monday, 29 December – Wednesday, 31 December
- Total leave days used: 6
- Consecutive days off: 16 (20 December – 4 January 2026)
This plan gives you 16 days off while using only 6 leave days, allowing for a long festive break into the new year.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Leave
- Plan Your Leave Requests Early: Popular holiday periods mean many employees will request time off around the same dates. Submitting your leave request early ensures a higher chance of approval, especially for Easter, summer, and Christmas periods.
- Coordinate with Your Employer: Ensure that your leave request doesn’t negatively impact your team’s workflow. Communicating in advance and proposing alternative work arrangements can increase your chances of approval.
- Consider Your Colleagues: Being mindful of your colleagues’ time-off requests helps maintain fairness in the workplace. If possible, discuss plans with your team so that work schedules can be balanced.
- Stay Updated on Any Changes: Occasionally, bank holiday dates may be subject to change, or your employer may have specific leave policies. Checking the GOV.UK website and reviewing your company’s leave policy ensures that you plan accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many bank holidays are there in the UK in 2025?
There are 8 bank holidays in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have additional holidays specific to their regions.
Can I carry over unused annual leave to 2026?
This depends on your employment contract and company policy. Some employers allow carryover of a limited number of leave days, while others require all leave to be used within the same calendar year.
Do bank holidays count as annual leave?
Bank holidays do not count towards your statutory annual leave entitlement unless your contract specifies otherwise. Some employers include bank holidays as part of your total leave package.
What happens if I have to work on a bank holiday?
If your job requires you to work on a bank holiday, your employer may offer additional pay or time off in lieu. The exact arrangements should be outlined in your contract or company policy.
How can I ensure my leave requests are approved?
The best way to get your leave approved is by submitting your request early, being flexible with your dates, and ensuring your absence won’t disrupt business operations.
Final Thoughts
Bank holidays offer a fantastic way to extend your annual leave and take longer breaks without using too many leave days. By strategically planning your time off around these public holidays, you can maximize your rest, travel, and personal time in 2025. To get the best results, apply for leave early, communicate with your employer, and learn about any changes in holiday dates.