### Full Schedule of Remaining Welsh Bank Holidays Revealed, With Trio Already Lined Up for 2025
The UK government has recently clarified the timetable for bank holidays across the country until the end of 2025, with Wales set to observe several upcoming breaks from work and school. However, with the devolved nations maintaining their distinctive approach to public holidays, the exact dates observed can differ notably between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
For many employees and families in Wales, bank holidays offer not just a respite from the daily grind, but also opportunities to spend time together or attend community events. Most office workers, students, and some retail staff can expect these scheduled breaks to continue until the conclusion of 2025, with at least three additional Welsh bank holidays already secured for the coming year.
One of the main differences highlighted by the government is the array of traditions attached to these dates, which isn’t uniform across the UK. For example, during the most recent Easter period, Good Friday (18th April) was recognised as a bank holiday across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; however, only these nations (and not Scotland) marked Easter Monday (21st April) as a day off. This distinction is a long-standing feature of Britain’s patchwork of public holidays.
In May, UK-wide bank holidays were observed on Monday, 5th May and again on Monday, 26th May. While these dates provided welcome relief for millions, the calendar for the remainder of the year includes further holidays unique to specific nations. In Northern Ireland, the annual Battle of the Boyne commemoration falls on Monday, 14th July, whereas Scotland celebrates its own Summer bank holiday on Monday, 4th August.
Meanwhile, the Summer bank holiday for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland is set for Monday, 25th August, giving residents a late-summer break. Later, Scotland will be the only UK nation to observe the St Andrew’s Day bank holiday, scheduled for Monday, 1st December. As is customary, both Christmas Day (Thursday, 25th December) and Boxing Day (Friday, 26th December) are recognised UK-wide.
There had been speculation regarding the addition of a special bank holiday this year to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday, 8th May. VE Day, marking the historic moment in 1945 when the Allied Forces celebrated victory in Europe, is a poignant annual reminder of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Despite persistent calls and wide discussion in the media, Downing Street ultimately decided against designating VE Day as a separate bank holiday for 2025. Instead, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister confirmed that the government intends to utilise the existing May Day bank holiday for related commemorations. They emphasised the government’s commitment to honouring significant national events, highlighting the allocation of over £10 million for anniversary activities.
For those keen on planning holidays, family gatherings, or simply looking forward to another long weekend, the confirmed schedule is an essential tool. It not only underpins economic planning and retail operations, but also influences public services, transport, and the scheduling of major events across Wales.
While some may be disappointed by the decision not to introduce an extra bank holiday for VE Day, the UK’s established calendar remains packed with opportunities to pause, reflect, and spend time with loved ones. As ever, differences remain in how the four nations mark these pivotal moments, underscoring the diversity and history of public holidays across the United Kingdom.
As 2025 approaches, workers, employers, and communities will no doubt continue to welcome the clarity provided by these confirmed dates. And while discussions around the expansion of the bank holiday calendar are never far from public discourse, Welsh residents can begin marking their diaries for the breaks that lie ahead.