Bank holidays in the UK in 2025: Complete Holiday Calendar

Whether you’re living in the UK or just visiting, it’s important to note the dates of the British public holidays – otherwise known as bank holidays.

This is because many businesses and public places typically close or have reduced services on these days.

Here’s what you need to know:

• An overview of bank holidays in the UK

• When are the UK bank holidays in 2025?Local holidays in 2025Other important dates in 2025

• Local holidays in 2025

• Other important dates in 2025

• When are the UK bank holidays in 2026?Local holidays in 2026Other important dates in 2026

• Local holidays in 2026

• Other important dates in 2026

• When were the UK bank holidays in 2024?Local holidays in 2024Other important dates in 2024

• Local holidays in 2024

• Other important dates in 2024

• When are the school holidays in the UK?

An overview of bank holidays in the UK

Bank holidays came about in 1871, when Sir John Lubbock decided bankers deserved a break. Naturally, everyone else thought, “Well, if they’re off, we’re off too!” The name stuck, and now it’s an excuse for long weekends, pub trips, festivals, and pretending the weather will be nice.

Bank holidays are slightly different across the four countries of the UK. For example, Northern Ireland has two more holidays than England: St Patrick’s Day and the Anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Scotland also has several holidays that only apply to certain regions.

When UK holidays fall on a weekend, the next weekday (often a Monday) usually becomes a substitute day off.

The best UK festivals

When are the UK bank holidays in 2025?

Below is a list of UK bank holidays that have been confirmed for 2025, but more may be announced at a later date.

Date

Weekday

Holiday

1 January

Wed

New Year’s Day

18 April

Fri

Good Friday

5 May

Mon

Early May bank holiday

26 May

Mon

Spring bank holiday

25 December

Thu

Christmas Day

26 December

Fri

Boxing Day

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Local holidays in 2025

These bank holidays are only celebrated in certain UK regions:

Date

Weekday

Holiday

Region

2 January

Thu

Hogmanay

Scotland

17 March

Mon

St Patrick’s Day

Northern Ireland

21 April

Mon

Easter Monday

England, Northern Ireland, and Wales

12 July

Sat

Battle of the Boyne

Northern Ireland

4 August

Mon

Summer bank holiday

Scotland

25 August

Mon

Summer bank holiday

England and Wales

30 NovemberObserved on Monday, 2 December, day off

Sun

St Andrew’s Day

Scotland

Other important dates in 2025

Alongside national and local holidays, you’ll want to make note of these other prominent dates in the UK:

Date

Weekday

Occasion

25 January

Sat

Burns Night (only Scotland)

29 January

Sat

Lunar New Year

28 February

Fri

Start of Ramadan

4 March

Tue

Shrove Tuesday, often referred to as Pancake Day

30 March

Sun

British Mother’s Day

30 March

Sun

Eid al-Fitr

15 June

Sun

King’s Birthday

15 June

Sun

Father’s Day

20 October

Mon

Diwali

5 November

Wed

Guy Fawkes Day, sometimes referred to as Bonfire Night

9 November

Sun

Remembrance Sunday

31 December

Wed

New Year’s Eve

When are the UK bank holidays in 2026?

Date

Weekday

Holiday

1 January

Thu

New Year’s Day

3 April

Fri

Good Friday

4 May

Mon

Early May bank holiday

25 May

Mon

Spring bank holiday

25 December

Fri

Christmas Day

26 December

Sat

Boxing Day

28 December

Mon

Bank holiday

Local holidays in 2026

Date

Weekday

Holiday

Region

2 January

Fri

Hogmanay

Scotland

17 March

Tue

St Patrick’s Day

Northern Ireland

6 April

Mon

Easter Monday

England, Northern Ireland, and Wales

12 JulyObserved on Monday, 13 July, day off

Sun

Battle of the Boyne

Northern Ireland

3 August

Mon

Summer bank holiday

Scotland

31 August

Mon

Summer bank holiday

England and Wales

30 November

Mon

St Andrew’s Day

Scotland

Other important dates in 2026

Date

Weekday

Occasion

25 January

Sun

Burns Night (only Scotland)

17 February

Sat

Lunar New Year

17 February

Sat

Start of Ramadan

17 February

Tue

Shrove Tuesday, often referred to as Pancake Day

15 March

Sun

British Mother’s Day

20 March

Fri

Eid al-Fitr

15 June

Mon

King’s Birthday

21 June

Sun

Father’s Day

5 November

Thu

Guy Fawkes Day, sometimes referred to as Bonfire Night

8 November

Sun

Diwali

8 November

Sun

Remembrance Sunday

31 December

Thu

New Year’s Eve

When were the UK bank holidays in 2024?

Date

Weekday

Holiday

1 January

Mon

New Year’s Day

29 March

Fri

Good Friday

6 May

Mon

Early May bank holiday

27 May

Mon

Spring bank holiday

25 December

Wed

Christmas Day

26 December

Thu

Boxing Day

Local holidays in 2024

Date

Weekday

Holiday

Region

2 January

Tue

Hogmanay

Scotland

17 MarchObserved on Monday, 18 March, day off

Sun

St Patrick’s Day

Northern Ireland

1 April

Mon

Easter Monday

England, Northern Ireland, and Wales

12 July

Fri

Battle of the Boyne

Northern Ireland

5 August

Mon

Summer bank holiday

Scotland

26 August

Mon

Summer bank holiday

England and Wales

30 NovemberObserved on Monday, 2 December, day off

Sat

St Andrew’s Day

Scotland

Other important dates in 2024

Date

Weekday

Occasion

25 January

Thu

Burns Night (only Scotland)

10 February

Sat

Lunar New Year

13 February

Tue

Shrove Tuesday, often referred to as Pancake Day

10 March

Sun

British Mother’s Day

10 March

Sun

Start of Ramadan

10 April

Wed

Eid al-Fitr

15 June

Sat

King’s Birthday

16 June

Sun

Father’s Day

1 November

Fri

Diwali

5 November

Tue

Guy Fawkes Day, sometimes referred to as Bonfire Night

10 November

Sun

Remembrance Sunday

31 December

Tue

New Year’s Eve

When are the school holidays in the UK?

Wondering when your children have time off school? Learn more about school holidays in the UK.

School holidays in the UK

For more information on this topic, read our expat guides.

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