Typically across the UK, you get eight days if you live in England and Wales, nine if you live in Scotland and 10 if you live in Northern Ireland.
There are two upcoming in May, with a handful still left in 2025.
Here is when Brits can look forward to some time off in May and for the remainder of the year.
Why do we have bank holidays?
UK Bank Holiday dates coming up
There are two bank holidays to look forward to in May.
The first is on May 5, which is the Early May bank holiday.
The second is later in the month, on May 26, which is the Spring Bank Holiday.
Where does the Spring Bank Holiday come from?
The Spring Bank Holiday was originally called Whit Monday, which was the Monday after the Christian holiday of Whit Sunday, or Pentecost.
Whit Monday is a Christian celebration that takes place 50 days after Easter Sunday, and marks the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.
It used to be observed at the start of June, but was replaced with the Spring bank holiday in the UK in 1971 by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, after a trial period by the Government from 1965 to 1970.
UK-wide bank holiday reminder
Monday 5 May is the Early May bank holidaypic.twitter.com/HMaJ5hiT4S
— GOV.UK (@GOVUK) April 29, 2025
Rather than the beginning of June, it is now held on the last Monday of May.
How many UK Bank Holiday dates are left in 2025?
The remaining bank holidays in 2024 vary between nations.
The dates in England and Wales for 2025 are:
- August 25 – Summer bank holiday
- December 25 – Christmas Day
- December 26 – Boxing Day
In Scotland, the remaining bank holidays in 2025 are:
- August 4 – Summer bank holiday
- December 1 – St Andrew’s Day
- December 25 – Christmas Day
- December 26 – Boxing Day
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There were suggestions that Brits may have gotten an extra bank holiday this year.
The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day falls on May 5, which will see millions of people will remember the moment Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender was accepted by the Allies in 1945.
However, while celebrations are being very much encouraged across the UK, the event will not be a bank holiday.
