Whether a worker has to work on bank holidays is up to their employer. It might depend on the industry they work in. For example, restaurants and hotels might be more likely to be open on bank holidays.
A bank holiday might fall on a day that a worker does not usually work.
Employers should:
- tell workers the organisation's rules for bank holidays – especially if they're new, or they're changing from full-time work to part-time or shift work
- regularly discuss with workers how upcoming business closures or busy periods might affect holidays they plan to take
Upcoming bank holidays in Wales and England.
2025
| Date | Day of the week | Bank Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 25 December | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Friday | Boxing Day |
2026
| Date | Day of the week | Bank Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 4 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 25 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 31 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day |
| 28 December | Monday | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
If a bank holiday is on a weekend, a ‘substitute’ weekday becomes a bank holiday, normally the following Monday.
Your employer does not have to give you paid leave on bank or public holidays.
If your place of work is closed on bank holidays, your employer can make you take them as part of your annual leave entitlement.
Some employers might give you bank holidays off and pay you for them on top of your annual leave entitlement. This will be outlined in your contract. For further information please select the following link Working on bank holidays - Citizens Advice.
Bank holidays might affect how and when your benefits are paid.