What public holidays await you in the United Kingdom in 2025? Between common celebrations and regional specifics, the British calendar holds a few surprises. While some hoped for a special public holiday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the government has decided otherwise…
The government has confirmed that there will be eight additional public holidays in the United Kingdom by the end of 2025. However, each British nation tends to have its own holiday calendar.
Each British Nation Follows Its Own Calendar
For instance, the recent Easter weekend included two public holidays: Good Friday on April 18 and Easter Monday on April 21 for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, however, only Good Friday was a holiday, while Easter Monday was not observed.
In a recent announcement on Wednesday, April 23, government officials confirmed the dates and locations of the upcoming public holidays for the remainder of the year. The statement specifies that there will be holidays across the United Kingdom on Monday, May 5, and Monday, May 26.
The full list of remaining bank holidays for 2025 👉 pic.twitter.com/MfwMjJDbZJ
— GOV.UK (@GOVUK) April 23, 2025
This will also apply to Christmas and Boxing Day, Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26. Additionally, Monday, July 14, will mark the Battle of the Boyne public holiday in Northern Ireland, while in Scotland, Monday, August 4, will be celebrated as the summer bank holiday.
The rest of the United Kingdom, namely England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, will celebrate the summer bank holiday on Monday, August 25. In Scotland, an additional public holiday will occur on Monday, December 1, in honor of St. Andrew, the patron saint of the country.
May 8 Will Not Become an Additional Public Holiday
Some have called for the establishment of an additional public holiday this year, as Thursday, May 8, marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day. This date, celebrated annually, commemorates the day when the Allies officially accepted Germany’s surrender in 1945.
At the end of 2024, rumors circulated in Downing Street about the possibility of making May 8 an exceptional public holiday. However, last November, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson stated to the media that the government’s plans did not include an additional public holiday.
They stated: We plan to use the existing public holiday on May 1 to organize commemorative events. We are committed to marking these occasions of national importance appropriately, which is why we have announced over £10 million to celebrate them.
