Unlock 64 Days Off in 2025: The Ultimate Bank Holiday & Annual Leave Planner!
Many people across the nation will be dreading going back to work this week after enjoying time off over Christmas and the New Year. But with 2025 now upon us, you may not have had the time to check when this year's bank holidays are yet. In England and Wales, there are eight dates designated as bank holidays, and we've just had our first on January 1. The next one will be in April.
The term 'bank holiday' refers to a public holiday on a weekday when banks are closed by law - but you should check with your employer as to whether they are included in your contract, as they are not legally required to give you the day off. There's also currently a campaign to have an extra bank holiday granted in 2025 to mark a poignant anniversary in the nation's history.
2025 Bank Holidays: A Complete Guide
A campaign has recently been started to create another bank holiday this year to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, which was the end of World War II in Europe. As many as 73% people back a public holiday, according to a poll carried out by the Mirror, while just 13 percent were opposed to commemorating the day Nazi Germany finally surrendered to allied forces. Commenting on the recent survey by the Mirror and Deltapoll, Colonel Richard Kemp, who commanded British troops in Afghanistan, said "The results of this survey are pretty positive because it shows people do think the end of the war is a significant day to remember. It is very important to mark these important occasions because memories fade as time goes by and people ought to appreciate what sacrifices were made at that time." Unfortunately, it doesn't look like a VE Day bank holiday is going to happen. Last year, a spokesperson Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) confirmed that the official celebrations to commemorate VE day will not involve an extra bank holiday in 2025.
There is also a long-standing campaign by trade unions for an extra day off to be added to the calendar every year. England and Wales have fewer bank holidays compared to the rest of the UK and many other countries in Europe. Some have called for St George's Day and St David's Day to be turned into holidays, as is the case with St Andrew's Day in Scotland.
Here's the list of bank holidays in England and Wales for 2025:
- Good Friday: April 18th
- Easter Monday: April 21st
- Early May Bank Holiday: May 5th
- Spring Bank Holiday: May 26th
- Summer Bank Holiday: August 25th
- Christmas Day: December 25th
- Boxing Day: December 26th
Maximizing Your Time Off: Smart Strategies for 2025
For those looking to maximize their time off in 2025, the key is to plan around the bank holidays scattered throughout the year. By combining these with your regular annual leave, you could potentially double your time off. In fact, if you take full advantage of every long weekend, you could enjoy up to 64 work-free days in 2025 - assuming you don't work weekends. This works out as nearly two months off work.
Easter Extravaganza: 16 Days Off!
April 2025 offers shorter working weeks on either side of the long Easter weekend, along with the usual two bank holidays. Those who manage to get their holiday requests in early could take up to 16 days off using just eight days of their holiday allowance. By taking four days off from 14–17 April and another four from 22–25 April, you will not do a day of work from Saturday 12 April right up until Sunday 27 April.
May Mayhem: Nine-Day Breaks!
May offers two bank holidays, albeit at opposite ends of the calendar. You could use these bank holidays to extend your weekends into full weeks off, using less annual leave—effectively turning eight days into sixteen. If you fancy jetting off on a lengthy adventure before temperatures reach their summer peaks, transform four days of annual leave into nine days off work by taking 6–9 May as annual leave. This combines with two weekends and May Day (5 May) to make a nine-day holiday. Booking four days off work from 27–30 May will make another nine days off thanks to the weekends and the bank holiday on 26 May.
Summer Sojourn: Nine Days of Sun!
Combining the Summer Bank Holiday on 25 August with two weekends (23–24 August and 30–31 August) and four days of annual leave (26–29 August) will give you a nine-day break from work. That’s plenty of time for a hot European sojourn – or escape the heat in the Nordics or higher altitudes in the Alps.
Festive Fun: 13 Days of Christmas Cheer!
Did you work between Christmas and New Year? To avoid this in 2025, it’s time to lock in just under two weeks off work, using only six days of annual leave. Book off 22–24 December and 29–31 December to enjoy 13 consecutive days off work thanks to the weekends, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. It’s the perfect time to embark on a festive adventure – or why not use the time to laze at home with a gripping box set?
Beyond the Bank Holidays: Additional Leave Strategies
Most workers in the UK are entitled to 28 days of paid annual leave – including those eight bank holidays in 2025. By mixing your annual leave with your bank holidays (and throwing a weekend in here and there) you can maximise your time off and extend your holidays all without draining your entitlement. Here are the annual leave hacks to know in 2025. Employees in England and Wales can get up to 64 days off by using just 28 days of annual leave, according to Go2 Africa travel expert Justin Chapman. If you book Thursday 2 January and Friday 3 January, you’ll get five consecutive days off thanks to the New Year’s Day bank holiday. Then, in April, you can get 16 consecutive days off, Saturday 12 to Sunday 27, by booking eight days away from the office over the Easter break. Bank holidays in May mean that if you book four days, from 6 to 9 May, you’ll get nine days off, and another four from 27 to 30, will net you the same. Despite rumours to the contrary, there won’t be an extra day’s holiday to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe. However, you can do the same thing for nine days off in the summer, by booking off 26 August until to 29 August. By booking off six days, from 22 December until 24 December, and 29 to 31, you can get 13 consecutive days off at the end of the year. You could even increase this to a 16-day holiday, using some of 2026’s allowance and booking off Friday 2 January.
A Year of Uninterrupted Relaxation: Planning for Success
Remember to check with your employer regarding your holiday entitlement and submission deadlines. Submitting your requests early will ensure you secure your desired dates and avoid disappointment. Happy planning!
