2025 UK Bank Holidays: Dates and What They Mean
The lineup of 2025 UK bank holidays is officially set, and there’s good news for anyone hoping to make the most of extra days off next year—four holidays arrive in a springtime rush. This creates all sorts of chances for staycations, short trips, and long weekends, but it can also mess with your regular routine. Here’s everything you need to know to get ahead.
Here are the official eight dates for 2025 in England and Wales:
- New Year’s Day: Wednesday, 1 January
- Good Friday: Friday, 18 April
- Easter Monday: Monday, 21 April
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 5 May
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 26 May
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 25 August
- Christmas Day: Thursday, 25 December
- Boxing Day: Friday, 26 December
That flurry of spring holidays kicks off with Good Friday on April 18, then Easter Monday follows close behind on April 21. The Early May and Spring Bank holidays come a couple of weeks apart in May, creating the perfect setup for back-to-back three-day weekends. These spring breaks are a mix of religious and secular traditions—Easter’s dates move depending on the moon, while the May breaks stick to the Monday formula.
How Holidays Affect Daily Life, Travel, and Shopping
Every year, these dates impact pretty much everyone in the country in one way or another. If you live in London or any busy city, you’ll see changes in how public transport runs—expect a limited schedule, particularly on the big dates like Christmas, Boxing Day, and Easter. This means fewer trains and buses, so double-check before hopping out for a day trip.
Big stores get a mandatory break too. For instance, large shops in London have to close on Easter Sunday by law, while smaller shops can make their own schedule. Over the Christmas period, opening hours for restaurants and tourist attractions may be switched up or shortened, so calling ahead can save you a wasted journey.
Another thing that can throw people off is that some holidays shift if they fall on a weekend. In these cases, workers get a ‘substitute’ day off—so nobody misses out on their guaranteed time away from work.
There are a few regional differences to be aware of. The schedule matches up exactly between England and Wales, but Scotland tends to do its own thing, with slightly different dates and occasionally extra holidays. So if you’re planning to travel up north, check the local rules.
For anyone heading out during the bank holidays, whether it’s a quick getaway or just a shopping trip, planning is everything. Use Transport for London or your local network for route updates, and don’t assume your favorite spot will be open—especially when it comes to those tightly packed spring bank holidays.
So, mark your calendars and start planning. The 2025 holiday schedule gives everyone something to look forward to, and knowing the dates early helps avoid last-minute panic, whether you’re organizing a family gathering or just want to make the most of summer’s long days off.