NEWSPAPERS print the news all year round but even their hard working employees must take a few days off.
Some publications change their publishing schedule on bank holidays, meaning your favourite newspaper might not be on the stands this Easter.
Publishing on bank holidays
Historically, newspapers do not publish on certain bank holidays.
Easter is no exception with very few newspapers printing editions on Good Friday.
Publications which have a Sunday issue sometimes print an Easter Sunday edition.
Easter Monday also sees fewer papers on the shelves.
However, The Sun has broken with tradition when it comes to publishing on holidays.
For example, in 2010, The Sun published a digital paper on Christmas Day.
The editor at the time, Dominic Mohan said: “Throughout The Sun’s 41-year history we have always respected the agreement among newspaper publishers in not publishing a Christmas Day edition of The Sun.
“However, this year we have seen dramatic innovations in the way that we deliver news to our readers and couldn’t resist the opportunity to break with tradition and produce this dazzling digital edition of the paper.”
The Sun on Sunday will be available on April 20, 2025, and the regular paper will print editions on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Newspaper traditions
Newspapers traditionally don’t print on national holidays to give their employees some time off.
The tradition of not publishing on Christmas Day dates back to 1912 and was built on a mutual consensus between newspapers.
Some papers, such as the Financial Times, still honour this tradition today where others.
Newspapers also would not usually print on New Year’s Day but publications such as The Guardian have begun to break this rule too.
Bank holidays in the UK
The UK celebrates several other bank holidays besides Easter.
There are two days off in May, as well as the Summer bank holiday in August and two days off in December.
Scotland and Northern Ireland also have additional bank holidays exclusive to them.
England and Wales
- April 18, 2025 – Good Friday
- April 21, 2025 – Easter Monday
- May 5, 2025 – Early May bank holiday
- May 26, 2025 – Spring bank holiday
- August 25, 2025 – Summer bank holiday
- December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day
- December 26, 2025 – Boxing Day
Scotland
- April 18, 2025 – Good Friday
- May 5, 2025 – Early May bank holiday
- May 26, 2025 – Spring bank holiday
- August 4, 2025 – Summer bank holiday
- December 1, 2025 – St Andrew’s Day
- December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day
- December 26, 2025 – Boxing Day
Northern Ireland
- April 18, 2025 – Good Friday
- April 21, 2025 – Easter Monday
- May 5, 2025 – Early May bank holiday
- May 26, 2025 – Spring bank holiday
- July 14, 2025 – Battle of the Boyne
- August 25, 2025 – Summer bank holiday
- December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day
- December 26, 2025 – Boxing Day
Easter Sunday 2025 – Shop opening times
Most supermarkets will be operating reduced hours over the Easter period.
Supermarkets including Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and M&S will all be closing on Easter Sunday but will run limited hours on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Petrol stations will also adjust their hours, as will high street staples including Next and Primark.
Eateries like Greggs and homeware stores including B&M and Home Bargains will also change their opening times over Easter.
