UK Calendar April 2025: List of Bank Holidays, Cultural Events, and Global Observances
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April in the UK brings a balance of tradition, seasonal change, and awareness. As spring takes hold, Brits observe a blend of religious holidays, cultural events and international days with growing relevance.
Whether you’re plotting annual leave or simply curious about what’s shaping society this month, here’s your complete, in-depth guide to April 2025.
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Quick-Reference UK Calendar for April 2025 |
UK Bank Holidays & Religious Festivals
Good Friday – 18 April 2025 (Friday)
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Hot cross buns are a must on Good Friday. |
A solemn day commemorating the crucifixion of Christ. Churches hold meditative services, and across the UK, high streets see reduced activity. Many Britons mark the day with simple meals such as fish and chips, continuing a centuries-old tradition of abstaining from meat.
Did You Know?
The term “Good” in Good Friday likely derives from the older English meaning of “holy,” not “happy.”
Easter Sunday – 20 April 2025 (Sunday)
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This year, Easter Sunday will fall on 20TH APRIL 2025 |
A major Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Besides religious services, the UK leans heavily into modern customs like Easter egg hunts, garden get-togethers and chocolate gifting – a tradition largely popularised by the Victorians.
Easter Monday – 21 April 2025 (Monday)
Observed in most of the UK, Easter Monday is a day for countryside walks and community fairs. In places like Cornwall and Lancashire, you’ll find traditional egg rolling events still alive today.
Local Highlight:
Brockworth, Gloucestershire, will be gearing up for its Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling later in spring – part of the quirky rural events the region is known for.
National and Regional Celebrations
St George’s Day – 23 April 2025 (Wednesday)
While not a bank holiday, England’s patron saint’s day is marked by parades, church services and the waving of the St George’s Cross. More pubs are embracing themed menus and special ales to tap into a rising interest in English cultural pride.
Tradition Revisited:
Some English towns like Rochester in Kent and Eccles in Greater Manchester are seeing a quiet revival of St George’s Day pageantry and Morris dancing events.
Eid al-Fitr – Likely 29 or 30 April 2025
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Muslims pray during Eid al-Fitr |
Marking the end of Ramadan, Eid is celebrated with morning prayers at mosques and community spaces. In cities like Birmingham, Leicester and London, large outdoor prayers followed by festive meals and charity events bring Muslim communities together.
Global Observances Shaping the UK Conversation
World Autism Awareness Day – 2 April 2025 (Wednesday)
The UK’s leading autism charities, including the National Autistic Society, will run nationwide campaigns. Landmarks such as the SSE Hydro in Glasgow and The Shard in London often light up in blue, reflecting global solidarity.
World Health Day – 7 April 2025 (Monday)
Health organisations and the NHS mark this day with free screenings, wellness seminars and social media campaigns focused on key health challenges.
Earth Day – 22 April 2025 (Tuesday)
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Earth Day 2022: History, Date, Activities, Quotes, Slogan and Facts |
In the UK, Earth Day is increasingly being marked by local councils, NGOs and schools. Initiatives include beach cleans, rewilding projects and sustainable living workshops.
Quick Stat:
Last year, over 300 community-led clean-up events were registered for Earth Day in England alone, reflecting growing grassroots momentum.
International Dance Day – 29 April 2025 (Tuesday)
Expect flash mobs and open workshops from London’s West End to community halls in Wales and Scotland. Dance schools often offer free trial classes in everything from ballroom to hip hop.
Spotlight: April’s Lesser-Known but Meaningful Days
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace – 6 April 2025
Grassroots sports clubs and community centres increasingly use this UN-backed day to promote youth engagement and social inclusion through sport. Look for local initiatives in urban areas like Manchester’s inner city and London boroughs.
Eid al-Fitr in the UK – Community Celebrations
With Britain’s Muslim population surpassing 3 million, Eid al-Fitr is one of the most vibrant religious festivals on the UK calendar. Mosques open their doors to thousands for morning prayers, followed by communal meals and charity events (zakat al-fitr).
Cities like Birmingham (in Small Heath Park) and Manchester (Platt Fields Park) host large outdoor prayers attended by up to 30,000 worshippers. In London, Regent’s Park Mosque and East London Mosque become focal points for both worship and interfaith community gatherings.
Beyond the Mosque:
In multicultural areas, Eid often sees entire streets light up with decorations, open markets, and special food stalls selling everything from biryani to sweet treats like baklava and dates. Schools in some boroughs now offer cultural awareness workshops around Eid.
Cultural Note:
While not a public holiday nationwide, many workplaces offer flexibility or unpaid leave options to Muslim employees to mark the day.
World Book and Copyright Day – 23 April 2025
Coinciding with Shakespeare’s birthday, this is a favourite among UK literary circles. Libraries and schools often host readings of the Bard’s plays, as well as discussions on the state of copyright in the digital age.
Shakespeare’s Fact: • Shakespeare was born (and died) on 23 April in Stratford-upon-Avon.
• The playwright’s legacy continues to contribute £500 million to the UK economy each year, via tourism and theatre.
Beltane – 30 April 2025 (Wednesday)
Beltane, the ancient Gaelic festival marking the beginning of summer, has its roots in pre-Christian Britain. Today, the tradition has found new life in certain parts of the UK.
In Scotland, particularly in Edinburgh, the Beltane Fire Festival on Calton Hill is a modern, theatrical reinterpretation of the old rites. Expect fire processions, drumming troupes and costumed performers enacting the story of the May Queen and the Green Man – symbols of rebirth and fertility.
Modern Beltane Fact:
Though rooted in Celtic history, the contemporary Beltane festival in Edinburgh, first held in 1988, is one of the biggest modern pagan celebrations in Europe.
In Cornwall, echoes of Beltane can be seen in May Day celebrations, where towns like Padstow host the famed 'Obby 'Oss Festival on 1 May, blending pagan and Christian traditions.
International Jazz Day – 30 April 2025
With jazz scenes thriving in cities like Bristol and Edinburgh, this UNESCO day will see venues like Ronnie Scott’s in London hosting headline events, while grassroots jazz cafes put on free-entry gigs.
April 2025 is more than just a pause before the summer rush; it’s a microcosm of the UK’s evolving identity. From deeply rooted Christian observances like Good Friday to Beltane's modern pagan revival, or Eid’s growing presence in British civic life, the month illustrates the layered complexity of modern Britain.
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