Plan your long weekends for 2025 by taking a look at the full list of bank holidays that includes Easter and Christmas. Wales and England typically observe eight bank holidays each year, with some variations for special occasions. Scotland has nine holidays, while Northern Ireland has 10. In 2022, the UK enjoyed two additional bank holidays commemorating Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee on June 3 and her funeral on September 19.
It is interesting to note that Mexico only celebrates seven official public holidays, while India leads globally with 21 official national holidays. Historically, the UK once had 33 official holidays, primarily saints’ days and religious celebrations. However, in 1834, it was deemed excessive, leading to the Bank Holidays Act in 1871, which reduced the number to the current count.
The official bank holidays for Wales and England in 2025 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
In 2025, Scotland will observe the following bank holidays:
– Wednesday, January 1 – New Year’s Day
– 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
The bank holidays for Northern Ireland in 2025 are as follows:
– 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 (Orangemen’s Day) (substitute day)
– Monday, August 25 – Summer bank holiday
– Thursday, December 25 – Christmas Day
– Friday, December 26 – Boxing Day
Additionally, in 2025, the UK will have an extra bank holiday to commemorate 80 years since the end of World War II. Although the specific date of this holiday is yet to be confirmed, it is expected to be announced soon. Make sure to plan your long weekends ahead to maximise your time off next year.