Content guide
Bank holidays take place throughout the year to mark religious events, public holidays and special celebrations.
Whether you are planning to enjoy one of the best road trips in the UK or treat yourself to a short break in France, Belgium or Germany, bank holidays can be a great way to make that long weekend extra special.
In this travel advice guide, we highlight the public holidays in the UK for 2025.
Public holiday and bank holiday dates for England and Wales in 2025
Public holiday | 2025 |
---|---|
New Year's Day | Wednesday 1st January |
Good Friday | Friday 18th April |
Easter Monday | Monday 21st April |
May Bank Holiday | Monday 5th May |
Spring Bank Holiday | Monday 26th May |
Summer Bank Holiday | Monday 25th August |
Christmas | Thursday 25th December |
Boxing Day | Friday 26th December |
Public holiday and bank holiday dates for Scotland in 2025
Public Holiday | 2025 |
---|---|
New Year's Day | Wednesday 1st January |
Thursday 2nd January | |
Good Friday | Friday 18th April |
Early May Bank Holiday | Monday 5th May |
Spring Bank Holiday | Monday 26th May |
Summer Bank Holiday | Monday 4th August |
St Andrew’s Day (substitute day) | Monday 1st December |
Christmas Day | Thursday 25th December |
Boxing Day | Friday 26th December |
Public holiday and bank holiday dates for Northern Ireland in 2025
Public holiday | 2025 |
---|---|
New Year's Day | Wednesday 1st January |
St Patrick’s Day | Monday 17th March |
Good Friday | Friday 18th April |
Easter Monday | Monday 21st April |
May Bank Holiday | Monday 5th May |
Spring Bank Holiday | Monday 26th May |
Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) (substitute day) | Monday 14th July |
Summer Bank Holiday | Monday 25th August |
Christmas | Thursday 25th December |
Boxing Day (substitute day) | Friday 28th December |

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When are the Easter holidays in 2025?
In 2025, the Easter Monday in the UK will take place on Monday 21st April. For many this will mean a three-day weekend, starting on Saturday 19th April 2025.
When are the school holidays in 2025?
Although the school terms change from year-to-year and each school can differ slightly from each other.
Regarding schools, this can also change whether they are state-run, private, or independent.
However, schools typically have three terms, split with half-terms, and then an extended break over the summer.
Here are when school holidays taka place in the UK:
- Christmas – from late December to early January
- Spring half-term – one week in February
- Easter – two weeks around Easter Sunday
- Summer half-term – a week between the second half of May and first half of June
- Summer – July to September
- Autumn half-term – one week in October
Travelling during Christmas holidays
Christmas in 2025 is on a Thursday, meaning that residents in the UK will have a national holiday on the 25th, as well as Friday 26th December.
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