When Is Easter 2025 UK – Dates, Bank Holidays & School Breaks

Easter in the UK moves every year, and 2025 sees it arrive relatively late. If you are planning time off, booking travel, or checking school term dates, knowing the exact dates for Easter Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Monday is essential. Here is everything you need to know about Easter 2025 in the UK, including bank holidays, school breaks, and why the date changes.

When is Easter 2025 in the UK?

Easter Sunday 2025 falls on 20 April 2025. This date places the holiday almost a month later than the previous year, when Easter was celebrated on 31 March 2024. The associated key dates are Good Friday on 18 April 2025 and Easter Monday on 21 April 2025.

For those in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, these three days create a four-day bank holiday weekend.

Key insights for Easter 2025

• Easter 2025 is one of the latest Easter dates possible in the 21st century.
• The late date shifts school term schedules and affects the gap between Easter and the Early May bank holiday.
• Good Friday and Easter Monday are statutory UK bank holidays in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• In Scotland, Easter Monday is not a statutory bank holiday, though some councils may observe it.
• Easter 2025 is three weeks later than Easter 2024.
• The next bank holiday after Easter is the Early May bank holiday on 5 May 2025.
• School holiday dates vary by local authority, so parents should confirm with their council.

What are the UK bank holidays for Easter 2025?

The Easter period includes two statutory bank holidays: Good Friday (18 April 2025) and Easter Monday (21 April 2025). These are part of the official 2025 schedule for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, only Good Friday is a statutory bank holiday.

These holidays are among the first long weekends of the year after New Year’s Day. The full UK bank holidays 2025 list also includes New Year’s Day (1 January), St Patrick’s Day (17 March, Northern Ireland only), Early May (5 May), Spring (26 May), and Summer bank holidays in August.

Regional differences for Easter Monday

While most of the UK enjoys a four-day weekend, residents in Scotland do not have a statutory holiday on Easter Monday. Some employers and local councils may still give the day off, but it is not guaranteed. The next full-day break for Scotland after Good Friday is the Early May bank holiday on 5 May 2025.

Why does the date of Easter change each year?

Easter is not fixed to a specific calendar date. Instead, it follows a lunisolar rule used by Western Christianity. According to BBC Bitesize, Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox (fixed as 21 March in the ecclesiastical calendar).

This means Easter can fall anywhere between 22 March and 25 April. In 2025, the ecclesiastical full moon falls on 18 April, pushing Easter Sunday to 20 April — near the latest possible date. The Royal Museums Greenwich notes that such a late Easter will not happen again until 2030, when Easter Sunday falls on 21 April.

When are the school holidays for Easter 2025 in the UK?

Most state-funded schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland close for a two-week break around Easter. The typical Easter school holidays run from Monday, 7 April 2025, to Monday, 21 April 2025, with pupils returning on Tuesday, 22 April 2025.

Variations by region

Exact dates depend on the local authority. In Scotland, for example, some councils schedule the break from 17 April to 25 April 2025. Parents should always check with their school or local council. Leeds City Council, for instance, publishes specific term dates each academic year.

• England, Wales, Northern Ireland: Typical break 7–21 April 2025.
• Scotland: Varies by authority (e.g., 17–25 April in some areas).
• Return to school: Usually Tuesday, 22 April 2025 for most of the UK.
• Always confirm with your local council or school website.

For a full overview of term dates across the country, see our guide to UK school holidays 2025.

What events and activities are happening in the UK for Easter 2025?

The long Easter break makes it a peak time for family travel, staycations, and visits to theme parks and museums. Many venues run special Easter events, including egg hunts, church services, parades, and family-friendly festivals.

In London, the Easter weekend sees numerous activities such as Easter egg trails in parks, special services at cathedrals, and seasonal markets. Time Out UK notes that the four-day weekend from Good Friday to Easter Monday gives families plenty of time to explore. For the latest listings, check local event guides.

Specific event details are usually announced closer to the date, often in early 2025.

When is Easter 2026? (And other related Easter dates)

Looking ahead, Easter in 2026 falls on 5 April, with Good Friday on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April. For comparison, Easter 2024 was on 31 March 2024, and Orthodox Easter in 2025 coincides with the Western date on 20 April.

1. Easter 2024: 31 March (Sunday)
2. Easter 2025: 20 April (Sunday)
3. Orthodox Easter 2025: 20 April (Sunday)
4. Easter 2026: 5 April (Sunday)
5. Easter 2027: 28 March (Sunday)

Wikipedia’s list of dates for Easter provides a comprehensive reference for past and future dates.

Why is Easter 2025 later than 2024?

The date shift is due to the lunisolar calculation. In 2024, the first full moon after the spring equinox occurred in late March, placing Easter on 31 March. In 2025, that full moon falls on 18 April, pushing Easter to 20 April. This nearly three-week swing is normal and explains why some years have early Easters and others late ones.

The impact on school terms is noticeable: with Easter falling in late April, the summer term becomes shorter than usual for many schools. Retail, tourism, and family planning all adjust to the later date.

What do official sources say about Easter 2025?

Official government sources confirm the dates. GOV.UK lists Easter Monday as a bank holiday on 21 April 2025. Time Out UK notes that the four-day weekend runs from Good Friday (18 April) to Easter Monday (21 April). BBC Bitesize explains the calculation rule: “Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox.”

“Easter Monday: 21 April 2025 — bank holiday.”

— GOV.UK

“Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox.”

— BBC Bitesize

“Easter 2025 is on Sunday 20 April — so you’ll have a four-day weekend from Good Friday (18 April) to Easter Monday (21 April).”

— Time Out UK

What comes after Easter 2025?

After the Easter weekend, the next UK bank holidays are the Early May bank holiday (5 May 2025), Spring bank holiday (26 May 2025), Late Summer bank holiday (25 August 2025), Christmas Day (25 December 2025), and Boxing Day (26 December 2025). For families, the period between Easter and the May bank holiday offers another long weekend opportunity.

Plan ahead for travel and school bookings, especially given the late Easter in 2025.

Frequently asked questions about Easter 2025 in the UK