2025 will soon be upon us, and if like us you want to plan ahead and maximise holiday time around UK bank holidays, then don’t worry we’ve got you covered with our handy guide that details a full list of UK bank holidays in 2025 and 2026!
From Patron Saint Days and Easter weekend to Christmas and New Year, you’ll find all of the UK bank holidays for 2025 and 2026.
Get ahead with the full list of 2025 and 2026 UK bank holidays below…
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- UK Bank Holidays FAQs
- England and Wales Bank Holidays 2025 and 2026
- Bank Holidays Northern Ireland 2025 and 2026
- Bank Holidays Scotland 2025 and 2026
UK Bank Holidays FAQs
When is the next bank holiday in the UK?
The next bank holiday 2024 for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is Christmas Day, which falls on Wednesday 25th December.
How many bank holidays are there in 2024?
England and Wales have eight bank holidays in 2024, while Scotland has nine and Northern Ireland has ten!
Will there be 3 bank holidays in May 2024?
Unfortunately not! There were 3 May bank holidays in 2023 because of the coronation of King Charles III. Meaning that there will be the standard 2 bank holidays in May 2024.
What dates to book off in 2024?
Plan in these UK Bank Holidays to help maximise your annual leave. Explore all the UK has to offer on your travels by booking off the following days:
- Book off 26th March to 5th April for 2 weeks off over Easter.
- Book the 7th May to 10th May for 9 days off.
- Book the 28th May to 31st of May for 9 days off.
- Book off the 27th August to 30th August for 9 days off.
- Use 5 days over the Christmas period for a whole 12 days off. Book off 23rd, 24th, 27th, 30th and 31st of December.
Is the UK getting an extra bank holiday?
Although there has been speculation that the UK is getting a new bank holiday to mark 80 years since the end of World War Two, Downing Street have confirmed that this is not the case; instead they are considering using the early May bank holiday to mark this important day. In 2025, the early May bank holiday falls on the 5th May.
How many bank holidays will there be in 2025?
In 2025, there will be 8 bank holidays in England and Wales while Scotland will have 9 2025 bank holidays and Northern Ireland 10!
How to maximise annual leave in 2025 in the UK?
If you’re looking for what days to take off in 2025 to maximise your annual leave, then we’ve got you covered. You could turn 28 days of annual leave into 58 days off by booking the following:
- Book off the 2nd and 3rd of January for 5 consecutive days off.
- In April, book off 14th to the 17th and the 22nd to the 25th to get 16 days off in a row!
- Book off the 6th of May to the 9th for 9 days off.
- Book the 27th May to 30th May off for another 9 days.
- In August, you can book the 26th to 29th off for 9 days off.
- Finally, in December book the 22nd to the 24th and then the 29th to the 31st off, for 13 consecutive days off.
Think of how much of the UK you could explore with all of this time off! Find your perfect base amongst our UK self-catering cottages!
England and Wales Bank Holidays 2025 and 2026
2025
- New Year’s Day – Wednesday 1st January
- Good Friday – Friday 18th April
- Easter Monday – Monday 21st April
- Early May Bank Holiday – Monday 5th May
- Spring Bank Holiday – Monday 26th May
- Summer Bank Holiday – Monday 25th August
- Christmas Day – Thursday 25th December
- Boxing Day – Friday 26th December
2026
- New Year’s Day – Thursday 1st January
- Good Friday – Friday 3rd April
- Easter Monday – Monday 6th April
- Early May Bank Holiday – Monday 4th May
- Spring Bank Holiday – Monday 25th May
- Summer Bank Holiday – Monday 31st August
- Christmas Day – Friday 25th December
- Boxing Day – Monday 28th December (substitute day)
Bank Holidays Northern Ireland 2025 and 2026
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
- Early May Bank Holiday – Monday 5th May
- Spring Bank Holiday – Monday 26th May
- Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) – Monday 14th July (substitute day)
- Summer Bank Holiday – Monday 25th August
- Christmas Day – Thursday 25th December
- Boxing Day – Friday 26th December
2026
- New Year’s Day – Thursday 1st January
- St Patrick’s Day – Tuesday 17th March
- Good Friday – Friday 3rd April
- Easter Monday – Monday 6th April
- Early May Bank Holiday – Monday 4th May
- Spring Bank Holiday – Monday 25th May
- Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) – Monday 13th July (substitute day)
- Summer Bank Holiday – Monday 31st August
- Christmas Day – Friday 25th December
- Boxing Day – Monday 28th December (substitute day)
Bank Holidays Scotland 2025 and 2026
2025
- New Year’s Day – Wednesday 1st January
- 2nd January Bank Holiday – 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 – Monday 2nd December (substitute day)
- Christmas Day – Thursday 25th December
- Boxing Day – Friday 26th December
2026
- New Year’s Day – Thursday 1st January
- 2nd January Bank Holiday – Friday 2nd January
- Good Friday – Friday 3rd April
- Early May Bank Holiday – Monday 4th May
- Spring Bank Holiday – Monday 25th May
- Summer Bank Holiday – Monday 3rd August
- St Andrew’s Day – Monday 30th November
- Christmas Day – Friday 25th December
- Boxing Day – Monday 28th December (substitute day)
Celebrate one of these 2025 or 2026 UK bank holidays by booking your perfect holiday cottage! Don’t forget to use our UK Travel Guides for inspiration on what to do during your getaway!
Book off 26th March to 5th April for 2 weeks off over Easter. Book the 7th May to 10th May for 9 days off. Book the 28th May to 31st of May for 9 days off. Book off the 27th August to 30th August for 9 days off. Use 5 days over the Christmas period for a whole 12 days off. Book off 23rd, 24th, 27th, 30th and 31st of December." } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How many bank holidays will there be in 2025?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In 2025, there will be 8 bank holidays in England and Wales while Scotland will have 9 2025 bank holidays and Northern Ireland 10!" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How to maximise annual leave in 2025 in the UK?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "If you’re looking for what days to take off in 2025 to maximise your annual leave, then we’ve got you covered. You could turn 28 days of annual leave into 58 days off by booking the following:
Book off the 2nd and 3rd of January for 5 consecutive days off. In April, book off 14th to the 17th and the 22nd to the 25th to get 16 days off in a row! Book off the 6th of May to the 9th for 9 days off. Book the 27th May to 30th May off for another 9 days. In August, you can book the 26th to 29th off for 9 days off. Finally, in December book the 22nd to the 24th and then the 29th to the 31st off, for 13 consecutive days off. Think of how much of the UK you could explore with all of this time off! Find your perfect base amongst our UK self-catering cottages!" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Is the UK getting an extra bank holiday?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Although there has been speculation that the UK is getting a new bank holiday to mark 80 years since the end of World War Two, Downing Street have confirmed that this is not the case; instead they are considering using the early May bank holiday to mark this important day. In 2025, the early May bank holiday falls on the 5th May" } }] }