As the UK basks in its first spring-like weather of 2025, Brits nationwide eagerly anticipate sunny days spent lounging in their gardens and enjoying time off work.
The UK observes eight bank holidays annually, with additional ones under special circumstances. We’ve already celebrated New Year’s Day (January 1), so the next one to look forward to is Good Friday, which is fast approaching!
Four bank holidays occur within a short span of each other. In just over a month, we have Good Friday on April 18, followed closely by Easter Monday on April 21.
Shortly after, we have the Early May Bank Holiday on May 5 and the Spring Bank Holiday on May 26.
This year also marks the 80th anniversary of VE day, or Victory in Europe Day, which is observed on May 8 each year. This day commemorates the end of World War II in Europe and signifies the Allies’ acceptance of Germany’s surrender in 1945.
With calls for street parties and four days of concerts, services, and processions to honour the day, many Brits are left wondering if they’ll get an extra bank holiday. However, a spokesperson from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) confirmed back in November that the VE day celebrations in 2025 will not include an additional bank holiday in 2025, reports the Manchester Evening News.
With only eight recognised days, England is second to Mexico – the country with the fewest bank holidays in the world, boasting just seven official public holidays. On the other end of the spectrum, India leads globally with a staggering 21 national holidays.
Scotland acknowledges nine bank holidays, while Northern Ireland has ten. In 2022, the UK enjoyed two additional bank holidays: one on 3 June 2022 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee and another on 19 September for her funeral.
As for an extra Bank Holiday this year, the DCMS confirmed that there will be no additional day off for the 80th anniversary of VE Day.