A public or Bank Holiday is a national holiday for thousands of workers across the country. Although many will have a paid day off, others will remain in work.
When it comes to driving in the UK on a one of these days or over a holiday weekend, there is usually a lot of traffic – as Brits to make road trips and visit major tourist destinations.
Here are the public holidays in the UK for 2024 and 2025.
Public holiday dates
The table below shows the public and bank holidays for the remainder of this year and into 2025.
| Public holiday | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Monday 1st January | Wednesday 1st January |
| Good Friday | Friday 29th March | Friday 18th April |
| Easter Monday | Monday 1st April | Monday 21st April |
| May Bank Holiday | Monday 6th May | Monday 5th May |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday 27th May | Monday 26th May |
| Summer Bank Hokiday | Monday 26th August | Monday 25th August |
| Christmas | Wednesday 25th December | THursday 25th December |
| Boxing Day | Thursday 26th December | Thursday 26th December |
When are the Easer holidays?
In 2025, the Easter Monday in the UK will take place on Monday 21st April. For many this will mean a three-day weekend, starting on Saturday 19th April 2025.
When are the school holidays?
Although the school terms change from year-to-year and each school can differ slightly from each other.
Regarding schools, this can also change whether they are state-run, private, or independent.
However, schools typically have three terms, split with half-terms, and then an extended break over the summer.
Here are when school holidays taka place in the UK:
- Christmas – from late December to early January
- Spring half-term – one week in February
- Easter – two weeks around Easter Sunday
- Summer half-term – a week between the second half of May and first half of June
- Summer – July to September
- Autumn half-term – one week in October
Travelling during Christmas holidays
Christmas in 2025 is on a Thursday, meaning that residents in the UK will have a national holiday on the 25th, as well as Friday 26th December.
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