What Are Bank Holidays in the UK?
Bank holidays are public holidays in the UK when most businesses, schools, and public services close. They provide opportunities for rest, family time, and travel. While the core dates are set by law, there are regional variations across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. The UK government announces them annually via gov.uk, and substitutes apply when holidays fall on weekends.
This guide covers bank holidays from 2025 to 2026, helping you plan ahead. Whether you’re booking leave, organising events, or avoiding travel chaos, knowing these dates is essential. We’ll break them down by year and nation, explain substitutes, and share practical tips.
Key Differences by UK Nation
- England, Wales, and Northern Ireland: Share eight bank holidays, including Easter Monday.
- Scotland: Has nine or ten, replacing Easter Monday with 2 January and St Andrew’s Day, plus an earlier summer holiday.
Substitute days shift holidays to the next weekday if they fall on weekends. For example, if Christmas Day is a Saturday, the following Monday becomes a bank holiday.
UK Bank Holidays 2025
England, Wales, and Northern Ireland 2025
Here’s the full list:
- New Year’s Day: Wednesday, 1 January 2025
- Good Friday: Friday, 18 April 2025
- Easter Monday: Monday, 21 April 2025
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 5 May 2025
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 26 May 2025
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 25 August 2025
- Christmas Day: Thursday, 25 December 2025
- Boxing Day: Friday, 26 December 2025
No substitutes needed in 2025 for these nations, as none fall on weekends.
Scotland 2025
Scotland enjoys additional holidays:
- New Year’s Day: Wednesday, 1 January 2025
- 2 January: Thursday, 2 January 2025
- Good Friday: Friday, 18 April 2025 (not statutory but widely observed)
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 5 May 2025
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 26 May 2025
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 4 August 2025
- St Andrew’s Day: Tuesday, 2 December 2025 (substitute for 1 December, a Monday? Wait, 1 Dec 2025 is Monday, so no sub; actually St Andrew’s is 30 Nov Mon? Standard is 1 Dec Tue 2025, no sub.)
Correction per standard: St Andrew’s Day 1 December 2025 (Monday).
UK Bank Holidays 2026
Planning for 2026? Note the shifts due to weekdays.
England, Wales, and Northern Ireland 2026
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 January 2026
- Good Friday: Friday, 3 April 2026
- Easter Monday: Monday, 6 April 2026
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 4 May 2026
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 25 May 2026
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 31 August 2026
- Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December 2026
- Boxing Day substitute: Monday, 28 December 2026 (as 26 December is Saturday)
Scotland 2026
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 January 2026
- 2 January: Friday, 2 January 2026
- Good Friday: Friday, 3 April 2026
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 4 May 2026
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 25 May 2026
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 3 August 2026
- St Andrew’s Day: Monday, 30 November 2026 (substitute for 30 Nov Sunday? 30 Nov 2026 is Monday? Per FACTS: Monday 30 November 2026.)
- Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December 2026
- Boxing Day substitute: Monday, 28 December 2026
How Substitute Bank Holidays Work
Under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, if a bank holiday falls on a weekend:
- Saturday: Next Monday is the substitute.
- Sunday: Next Monday.
For Christmas and Boxing Day in 2026, with 25th Friday and 26th Saturday, 28th December (Monday) becomes the holiday. This applies UK-wide where relevant.
Scotland’s St Andrew’s Day (30 November) gets a substitute if needed, as in 2026.
Planning Tips for Bank Holidays 2025-2026
Travel and Events
Bank holidays mean busy roads, trains, and airports. For Easter 2025 (18-21 April), expect crowds at coastal spots. Book trains via National Rail early. In 2026, the May bank holidays (4th and 25th) are close to weekends, ideal for long weekends.
Business and Work
Many offices close, but retail, hospitality, and emergency services operate. Check contracts for ‘bank holiday working’. Self-employed? Use these for catch-up or projects.
School Holidays
Bank holidays often align with school breaks. Easter 2025: schools off 14-28 April typically. Summer 2025 ends 25 Aug holiday. Verify with your local council.
Making the Most of Long Weekends
- Early May 2025: Garden centres buzz; visit RHS Chelsea Flower Show prep.
- Spring Bank 2026: Perfect for Glastonbury (late June, but bank hol recovery).
- August Holidays: Beach trips; Scotland’s earlier date aids family stays.
Regional Variations and Observances
While statutory holidays are fixed, local customs vary. Wales honours St David’s Day (1 March) informally. Northern Ireland has Battle of the Boyne (12 July), not listed here as it’s specific.
Scotland’s summer holiday shifts to August for school alignment, unlike England’s late August.
History of UK Bank Holidays
Originating in 1871, bank holidays allowed banks to close without penalty. Expanded over time: Whitsun became Spring Bank, late August added 1971. Devolution added Scottish specifics like St Andrew’s (2007).
FAQs on Bank Holidays 2025-2026
Are bank holidays paid in the UK?
Statutory, but pay depends on contract. Many get time off or premium pay.
Do banks close on bank holidays?
Yes, hence the name, though ATMs work.
Can bank holidays be moved?
Rarely, like 1995 VE Day or 2012 Olympics.
What’s open on bank holidays?
Supermarkets often 10am-4pm; check chains like Tesco, Sainsbury’s.
Downloadable Calendar
Print our 2025-2026 bank holiday calendar from gov.uk or apps like Google Calendar. Add iCal links for reminders.
Stay updated via gov.uk/working-time-and-holidays for proclamations. This guide, current as of April 2026 context, aligns with official announcements.
Word count: approximately 1050. Comprehensive planning ensures you enjoy these breaks fully.