Bank Holidays Between April 2025 and March 2026: Your Essential UK Guide
Planning ahead for bank holidays between April 2025 and March 2026 is crucial for employees, businesses, families and travellers. This period covers the UK financial year, making it particularly relevant for payroll teams, HR departments and anyone organising holidays, events or travel. Bank holidays, also known as public holidays, are days when most businesses close, and employees typically get paid time off. However, dates vary slightly by nation: England and Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland each have unique observances.
In this guide, we’ll list all bank holidays chronologically, break them down by region, explain substitute days, and offer practical advice on how they impact work, travel and daily life. All dates are confirmed from official UK government sources (gov.uk). Note that while most of England, Wales and Northern Ireland share the same core holidays, Scotland has additional ones like 2 January and St Andrew’s Day.
Full Chronological List of Bank Holidays
Here’s every bank holiday from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, including which UK nations observe them:
| Date | Day | Holiday | Nations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 April 2025 | Friday | Good Friday | All UK |
| 21 April 2025 | Monday | Easter Monday | England, Wales, Northern Ireland |
| 5 May 2025 | Monday | Early May bank holiday | All UK |
| 26 May 2025 | Monday | Spring bank holiday | All UK |
| 14 July 2025 | Monday | Battle of the Boyne (substitute day) | Northern Ireland only |
| 4 August 2025 | Monday | Summer bank holiday | Scotland only |
| 25 August 2025 | Monday | Summer bank holiday | England, Wales, Northern Ireland |
| 1 December 2025 | Monday | St Andrew’s Day (substitute day) | Scotland only |
| 25 December 2025 | Thursday | Christmas Day | All UK |
| 26 December 2025 | Friday | Boxing Day | All UK |
| 1 January 2026 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | All UK |
| 2 January 2026 | Friday | 2nd January | Scotland only |
This totals 12 bank holidays, but the exact number off work depends on your location. Long weekends are highlighted: Easter (Fri-Mon for Eng/Wal/NI), late May (Fri-Mon all UK), August (Mon all or Scotland earlier), Christmas (Thu-Fri all UK), and New Year (Thu-Fri Scotland, Thu all).
Bank Holidays by UK Nation
England and Wales
England and Wales share eight bank holidays in this period:
- Good Friday: 18 April 2025
- Easter Monday: 21 April 2025
- Early May: 5 May 2025
- Spring bank holiday: 26 May 2025
- Summer bank holiday: 25 August 2025
- Christmas Day: 25 December 2025
- Boxing Day: 26 December 2025
- New Year’s Day: 1 January 2026
No additional regional holidays like St Andrew’s or Battle of the Boyne. These are statutory, meaning most workers get paid time off if their contract specifies it.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland mirrors England and Wales but adds the Battle of the Boyne on 14 July 2025 (Monday substitute, as 12 July falls on Saturday). Full list:
- Good Friday: 18 April 2025
- Easter Monday: 21 April 2025
- Early May: 5 May 2025
- Spring: 26 May 2025
- Battle of the Boyne: 14 July 2025
- Summer: 25 August 2025
- Christmas Day: 25 December 2025
- Boxing Day: 26 December 2025
- New Year’s Day: 1 January 2026
This makes nine holidays, with July providing a mid-summer break ideal for events like the Twelfth parades.
Scotland
Scotland has its own calendar with 10 holidays, including unique dates:
- Good Friday: 18 April 2025 (observed, though not statutory)
- Early May: 5 May 2025
- Spring bank holiday: 26 May 2025
- Summer bank holiday: 4 August 2025 (earlier than elsewhere)
- St Andrew’s Day: 1 December 2025 (substitute for Sunday 30 November)
- Christmas Day: 25 December 2025
- Boxing Day: 26 December 2025
- New Year’s Day: 1 January 2026
- 2 January 2026
Scotland often enjoys Hogmanay celebrations around New Year, extending the break.
Understanding Substitute Bank Holidays
UK bank holidays follow strict rules for weekends:
- If a holiday falls on Saturday, the substitute is Monday.
- Sunday: Tuesday.
Examples in this period:
- St Andrew’s Day (Scotland): 30 November 2025 (Sunday) → 1 December 2025 (Monday).
- Battle of the Boyne (NI): 12 July 2025 (Saturday) → 14 July 2025 (Monday).
Christmas 2025 falls midweek (Thu-Fri), so no substitutes. Always check gov.uk for confirmations, as rare adjustments occur (e.g., for jubilees).
Planning Travel and Events Around Bank Holidays
Bank holidays create ‘long weekends’ perfect for UK staycations or European trips. Key tips:
- Easter 2025 (18-21 April): Expect crowded roads to Devon, Cornwall or the Lake District. Book trains early via National Rail.
- Spring Bank Holiday (26 May 2025): Festivals like Glastonbury prep; ideal for Scotland’s highlands.
- August Summer Holidays: Scotland’s 4 August is quieter; England’s 25 August sees peak seaside traffic.
- Christmas-New Year: Airports busy; consider Eurostar to Paris.
Use apps like Citymapper or Google Maps for real-time traffic. Public transport runs reduced services—plan for TfL or ScotRail schedules. Weather-wise, April showers and August sun make outdoor events like Notting Hill Carnival (late August bank holiday) highlights.
Bank Holidays and Your Employment Rights
Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, bank holidays aren’t automatic paid days off—check your contract. Full-time workers average 28 days annual leave, often including bank holidays.
- Pay: Salaried staff usually paid; hourly/shift workers may get time-and-a-half or lie-u.
- Businesses: Shops in England/Wales can open on Easter Sunday (with staff premium pay); Scotland restricts more.
- HR Tip: For payroll Apr 2025-Mar 2026, note 12 potential days—factor into rotas.
Self-employed? No statutory rights, but clients may pause.
A Brief History of UK Bank Holidays
Bank holidays originated in 1871 under the Bank Holidays Act, closing banks to prevent runs. Sir John Lubbock selected dates like Easter and Whitsun (now Spring). Scotland joined later, adding cultural nods like St Andrew’s (2007). Modern additions reflect jubilees or WWII commemorations. Today, they’re devolved: Scottish Parliament sets its own since 1999.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are bank holidays paid in the UK?
Not automatically—depends on your employment contract. Most get paid, but part-timers may not.
Do bank holidays count as annual leave?
No, they’re additional unless specified otherwise.
Can employers require work on bank holidays?
Yes, with notice and premium pay often required by contract.
What’s open on bank holidays?
Supermarkets (limited hours), emergency services, tourism sites. Pharmacies rotate.
Any bank holidays in February or March 2026?
None scheduled—next is Good Friday 3 April 2026.
This guide ensures you’re prepared for bank holidays between April 2025 and March 2026. Bookmark for updates from gov.uk, and happy planning!
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