As we approach 2025, both employers and employees in the UK need to be aware of the official public holidays. Understanding the holiday calendar can help businesses plan their operations efficiently, optimize leave management, and allow employees to schedule their annual leave, especially if they are looking to extend their holidays or create long weekends.
In this detailed guide, we will cover the UK Public Holidays 2025, offer advice on how to make the most of them, and explain how employers can accommodate employees looking for longer weekends. We’ll also guide holiday entitlements and how they differ across the four nations of the UK.
What are UK Public Holidays?
Public holidays, also known as bank holidays in the UK, are specific days when most businesses, schools, and government offices are closed. Employees often get the day off, but it’s important to note that this is not a legal right; the entitlement to paid leave on public holidays depends on the employment contract.
Employers must adhere to the working time regulations which state that workers are entitled to 28 days of paid holiday per year. This can include bank holidays, but it’s up to the employer to decide whether public holidays are counted as part of the 28 days or offered as additional days off.
UK Bank Holidays in 2025
The following are the UK Public Holidays 2025. Note that these dates may vary slightly depending on which part of the UK you are in (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland). Below, we will outline holidays for each region and guide how to maximize time off.
England and Wales Bank Holidays 2025:
- 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
Scotland Bank Holidays 2025:
- New Year’s Day – Wednesday, 1 January
- 2nd January – Thursday, 2 January
- Good Friday – Friday, 18 April
- Early May Bank Holiday – Monday, 5 May
- Spring Bank Holiday – Monday, 26 May
- Summer Bank Holiday – Monday, 4 August
- St Andrew’s Day – Sunday, 30 November (often observed on the following Monday)
- Christmas Day – Thursday, 25 December
- Boxing Day – Friday, 26 December
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2025:
- New Year’s Day – Wednesday, 1 January
- St Patrick’s Day – Monday, 17 March
- Good Friday – Friday, 18 April
- Easter Monday – Monday, 21 April
- Early May Bank Holiday – Monday, 5 May
- Spring Bank Holiday – Monday, 26 May
- Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) – Monday, 14 July
- Summer Bank Holiday – Monday, 25 August
- Christmas Day – Thursday, 25 December
- Boxing Day – Friday, 26 December
Creating Long Weekends in 2025
For employees looking to make the most of their time off during UK Public Holidays 2025, the calendar presents several opportunities to turn short holidays into long weekends or even longer breaks with the strategic use of annual leave. Below are some tips on how to stretch your holidays.
January 2025:
- New Year’s Day (Wednesday, 1 January): Since New Year’s Day falls mid-week, taking Thursday, 2 January, and Friday, 3 January off will give employees a 5-day break, from Wednesday through Sunday.
- Scotland: Employees in Scotland already have the 2nd of January as a public holiday, so taking Friday, 3 January, off would allow them to enjoy a 5-day break.
Easter Weekend (18-21 April 2025):
- In the UK Public holidays 2025, Easter weekend includes Good Friday on 18 April and Easter Monday on 21 April. This already provides a four-day weekend for most employees. However, if you want to extend this break, taking Tuesday, 22 April, to Friday, 25 April off will give you a 10-day break, starting from Saturday, 12 April to Sunday, 27 April, using just 4 days of annual leave.
Early May Bank Holiday (Monday, 5 May):
- Employees can extend this long weekend by taking Friday, 2 May, or Tuesday, 6 May, off to create a 4-day weekend.
Spring Bank Holiday (Monday, 26 May):
- Similar to the Early May Bank Holiday, taking either Friday, 23 May, or Tuesday, 27 May, off will allow for an extended break over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.
Summer Bank Holiday (25 August in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; 4 August in Scotland):
- For employees in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the Summer Bank Holiday on Monday, 25 August provides another opportunity to create a long weekend. Taking Friday, 22 August, or Tuesday, 26 August, off will give employees a four-day weekend.
- In Scotland, the Summer Bank Holiday on Monday, 4 August can be extended by taking either Friday, 1 August or Tuesday, 5 August, off to create a longer break.
Christmas and New Year (December 2025):
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on Thursday, 25 December, and Friday, 26 December, giving employees a four-day weekend if they include Saturday and Sunday. By taking Monday, 29 December, to Wednesday, 31 December, off, employees can create an 11-day break, from Thursday, 25 December to Sunday, 4 January 2026, using just 3 days of annual leave.
How Employers Can Accommodate Long Weekends
For employers, planning around UK Public Holidays 2025 can help ensure minimal disruption to business operations while also accommodating employees’ requests for time off. Here are some ways employers can manage this:
Encourage Early Requests for Leave:
By asking employees to submit their holiday requests early, employers can plan schedules accordingly and ensure there is enough staff coverage, especially around popular holiday times like Christmas and Easter.
Stagger Holidays:
If multiple employees are requesting time off around the same period, employers can manage workloads by staggering holidays. This ensures that not all employees are off at the same time, which could disrupt business operations.
Flexible Working Arrangements:
Some employers may choose to offer flexible working hours or remote work options for employees around bank holidays. This allows employees to enjoy longer breaks without taking too many days off, while still maintaining productivity.
Use Holiday Calculators:
Employers can use holiday calculators and rota management software to track employee holidays and ensure that sufficient staffing is maintained during public holidays and long weekends.
Consider the Business Impact:
If your business operates in industries like retail or hospitality where public holidays can be particularly busy, you may need to offer incentives for employees to work during these times. Alternatively, employers can offer compensatory time off for those working on public holidays.
Bank Holiday Entitlements and Pay
It’s important to note that while public holidays are often seen as days off, they are not a statutory right. Employees are entitled to 28 days of paid leave per year, which may or may not include bank holidays. The specific entitlement to time off on public holidays will depend on the employee’s contract of employment.
Full-time Employees:
Typically, full-time employees are given bank holidays as paid days off as part of their annual leave entitlement, but this varies between employers.
Part-time Employees:
For part-time employees, entitlement to bank holidays is typically pro-rated based on their working hours. Employers must ensure that part-time employees receive fair and proportional time off if bank holidays are included in their contracts.
Overtime or Compensation:
In some cases, if employees are required to work on a bank holiday, they may receive additional compensation or time off in lieu, depending on their employment agreement.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about UK Public Holidays 2025
1. Do all businesses have to close on public holidays?
No, not all businesses are required to close on public holidays. Many essential services, such as healthcare, emergency services, and some retail stores, remain open. The decision to close or remain open on public holidays depends on the nature of the business and its operational requirements. Some businesses may offer employees compensatory time off or additional pay if they are required to work on public holidays.
2. Are bank holidays counted as part of my annual leave?
It depends on your employment contract. Some employers include bank holidays as part of the statutory 28 days of annual leave, while others may offer them as additional days off. It is important to check your employment contract or speak with your HR department to understand how public holidays are handled in your company.
3. Can part-time employees take bank holidays off?
Yes, part-time employees are entitled to bank holidays, but this entitlement is usually pro-rated based on the number of hours or days they work. For example, if a part-time employee works three days a week, they may receive a proportionate number of paid bank holidays compared to a full-time employee.
4. What happens if a public holiday falls on my regular day off?
If a public holiday falls on an employee’s regular day off (for example, a weekend or a scheduled non-working day), the entitlement to a replacement day off or additional compensation will depend on the employer’s policy. Some employers offer a day in lieu, while others may not provide additional compensation. It’s important to check your employment contract for details.
5. Can I be required to work on a public holiday?
Yes, depending on the terms of your employment contract, your employer may require you to work on public holidays, especially in industries like healthcare, retail, and hospitality. If you are required to work on a public holiday, your employer may offer additional pay (e.g., time and a half) or time off in lieu.
6. What should I do if my request for annual leave around a public holiday is denied?
If your employer denies your request for leave around a public holiday, it’s typically due to business needs or staffing shortages. In this case, it’s best to discuss alternative dates with your employer and try to be flexible with your leave plans. Employers are not legally obligated to approve all leave requests, especially during peak times, but they should handle requests fairly.
7. Are public holidays the same across the UK?
No, public holidays vary across the UK. While England and Wales share the same public holidays, Scotland and Northern Ireland have additional holidays, such as St. Andrew’s Day in Scotland and St. Patrick’s Day in Northern Ireland. Employers and employees should be aware of the regional differences when planning holidays and operations.
8. What happens if I am on maternity/paternity leave during a public holiday?
If you are on maternity, paternity, or adoption leave, you are entitled to accrue both statutory and contractual holiday entitlements during this period, including public holidays. You can discuss with your employer how to take these holidays either before or after your maternity/paternity leave ends.
9. How can I take advantage of public holidays if I want to travel?
To maximize your time off for travel, try to plan your holidays around long weekends or by taking additional days off around public holidays. For example, during the Easter holiday or the Christmas period, you can extend your break by using a few days of annual leave before or after the holiday to create a longer vacation.
10. Do public holidays affect deadlines for government services and payments?
Yes, public holidays can impact the deadlines for government services, such as filing taxes or receiving benefits. If a deadline falls on a public holiday, it is usually extended to the next working day. It is advisable to check with the relevant government agency for specific details regarding your case.
Conclusion
UK Public Holidays 2025 offers several opportunities for employees to maximize their time off by strategically combining public holidays with annual leave. For employers, understanding these holidays and planning can ensure that business operations continue smoothly while allowing employees to take their well-deserved breaks. By offering flexible working arrangements and managing holiday requests efficiently, businesses can strike a balance between maintaining productivity and supporting employee well-being.
Whether you’re an employee looking to enjoy a long weekend or an employer planning your workforce schedules, knowing the public holidays and how to use them to your advantage is crucial for a productive and happy year in 2025.