As the new year begins, it is an ideal time to plan early for the bank holidays 2025. These off days offer valuable chances to take breaks from daily responsibilities. Whether having family gatherings or simply relaxing at home, knowing the holiday dates ensures that these breaks can be enjoyable.
This article provides a complete list of all the bank holidays in the UK for 2025. The list includes well-known holidays like Christmas and Easter. Also, it provides tips for maximising long weekends to have longer holidays. Continue reading to find out which holiday can be enjoyed during the year ahead!
What are bank holidays?
Bank holidays are days when banks are not open for business. Besides banks, many businesses also close during these holidays. These holidays usually happen at the same time as major national holidays or special events. However, the main purpose of bank holidays 2025 is to give workers time off and give honour to important events.
The UK bank holidays were formalised through the Bank Holidays Act of 1871. This law set aside certain days of the year when banks had to close so employees could take time off. By making them official, bank workers finally had breaks to rest and spend time with their loved ones. Over time, these days became public holidays for many workers.
In the United Kingdom, the government decides which days are going to be holidays. Some bank holidays 2025 examples are Easter Monday, the early May Bank Holiday, and Boxing Day (the day after Christmas). These days often turn into long weekends to give people more time to travel or enjoy special events with loved ones.
Lists of bank holidays 2025
As we look ahead to 2025, it's good to know when we'll get those much-needed breaks throughout the year. Bank holidays are great for spending time with family or planning trips. In the next section, we'll provide a list of bank holidays 2025 to plan the vacation early. These references are useful for arranging the holidays effectively.
Good Friday
Good Friday is one of the bank holidays 2025 in all parts of the UK. Basically, it observes on the Friday before Easter to remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. For this year, Good Friday will fall on Friday, 18 April. In many countries with Christian traditions, banks, schools, and many businesses close on this holiday. However, churches usually hold special services or processions to honour this occasion.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday. It falls on different dates each year because it depends on when Easter takes place in the Christian calendar. Easter Monday is one of the bank holidays 2025 in the UK, which means many businesses and schools close. People often spend this day with family, travel, or enjoy festive traditions such as egg hunts. Most importantly, some communities hold special events or church services on this day.
Spring bank holiday
The other bank holidays 2025 in the UK is the Spring Bank Holiday. People usually call this holiday the "late May bank holiday" because it falls on the last Monday of May. This year, the Spring Bank Holiday will fall on Monday, 26 May. On this holiday, banks, government offices, and many businesses close. Besides, public transport switches to a reduced holiday or Sunday schedule.
Summer bank holiday
The summer bank holiday is another UK bank holidays 2025 when banks and other businesses are closed. Fun fact, this was introduced in the Bank Holidays Act 1871 and first observed in that year. The original intention was to give employees a chance to participate in cricket matches. Today, people use the summer holiday to enjoy outdoor activities while the weather is still warm.
Christmas Day
Christmas is a popular holiday around the world. However, it's the official bank holidays 2025 in the UK. During the holiday season, public transportation services reduce their schedules. Besides, banks and other businesses are usually close or open for shorter hours. For most people, Christmas is a time to relax, spend time with close ones, or simply enjoy the holiday.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day serves as the last bank holidays 2025 in the UK. People usually celebrate this holiday on 26 December, which is the day after Christmas. Banks and most other businesses are closed on Boxing Day. However, if it falls on a weekend, the holiday is moved to the next available weekday. What makes this holiday special is that Boxing Day has traditions for hundreds of years. For example, many stores hold big sales, and people often watch or play sports.
Highlights for bank holidays 2025
Bank holidays 2025 are a great chance to take a break from daily routines and enjoy extra time off. These special days often come with celebrations or just the opportunity to spend time with close ones. In this section, we'll highlight the key dates to give a guide on planning the holiday.
The first major bank break is Easter Weekend. Good Friday falls on 18 April, and Easter Monday is on 21 April. In this season, people have four off days in a row. For the next season, the Early May Bank Holiday is on 5 May, and the Spring Bank Holiday is on 26 May. Each gives a three-day weekend for most people. In late August, the Summer Bank Holiday makes another long weekend from 25 August. At the end of the year, Christmas and Boxing Day fall right next to the weekend. These holidays will have a four-day festive break.
Impact of bank holidays 2025 on daily life
Bank holidays 2025 bring both advantages and challenges to daily life. On the one hand, they offer a break from daily activities. On the other hand, they can cause changes in business hours, public services, and transportation schedules. Being aware of these changes in advance can help with better holiday planning.
Most banks do not open these days, which can delay tasks such as deposits or currency exchanges until the next working day. Besides, many businesses close or have shorter opening hours on the bank holiday. Moreover, some companies give employees off days. As a result, slower service may happen if the holiday falls during the week.
Tips for maximising bank holidays 2025
Maximising bank holidays 2025 is a great way to get more time off from daily activities. For example, people combine holidays with extra leave days for having longer vacations. This allows the chance to explore new places or enjoy a relaxing staycation. Therefore, here are some tips that help make the most of holiday breaks.
The first thing to do is check the 2025 UK bank holiday calendar and plan the time off accordingly. If the holiday falls on Tuesday or Thursday, consider taking Monday or Friday off to create a long weekend. However, many long weekends offer 4-5 days off. The long weekends can be a good chance to have a longer holiday without taking too much leave.
Besides checking the calendar, planning for the activities is important. UK bank holidays 2025 provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy different activities. For example, hiking through the countryside or visiting a beach. For those who are interested in history and culture, visiting landmarks offers a chance to learn about British heritage. With so many things to do, bank holidays have something for everyone to enjoy.
Conclusion
Bank holidays 2025 are more than just days off from daily responsibilities. They give people the chance to rest or spend time with close ones. In addition, the holidays let people enjoy vacations or long weekend getaways. People can turn each day off into a longer break by planning the holidays. This way, people can make the most of their time off while keeping up with responsibilities.
Bank Holidays can give you extra days off, but they can also be a chance to learn something new. In line with this, the College of Contract Management offers online courses in different subjects. By signing up, you can make the most of your free time and invest in your future. Ready to take the next step? Enroll now and start shaping your future success!
