Public Holidays in South Africa
Statutory public holidays in South Africa, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
South Africa at a glance
South Africa’s public holidays centre on Freedom Day on 27 April and Heritage Day on 24 September, alongside Christian feast days.
When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a holiday, and the summer break is the longest of the year.
South Africa public holidays 2026
South Africa has 13 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| Human Rights Day | Mar 21Sat | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Family Day | Apr 6Mon | National |
| Freedom Day | Apr 27Mon | National |
| Workers' Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Youth Day | Jun 16Tue | National |
| National Women's Day | Aug 9Sun | National |
| National Women's Day (observed) | Aug 10Mon | Substitute |
| Heritage Day | Sep 24Thu | National |
| Day of Reconciliation | Dec 16Wed | National |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25Fri | National |
Showing 12 of 13 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in South Africa
The urban centres that anchor most trips to South Africa.
Pretoria
An administrative capital of jacaranda trees, union buildings and museums.
Johannesburg
The economic capital, a city of mining wealth, memorials and townships.
Cape Town
A city beneath Table Mountain, with a waterfront and Atlantic beaches.
Durban
A warm Indian Ocean city of surf, spices and a large Zulu heritage.
Port Elizabeth
A city on Algoa Bay with beaches and a Garden Route hinterland.
Bloemfontein
A inland city holding the Supreme Court of Appeal and rose gardens.
Top attractions in South Africa
The places that draw most visitors to South Africa.
Kruger National Park
One of the great safari reserves, holding the big five.
Table Mountain
A sandstone massif above the city, reached by cable car or footpath.
Robben Island
The island prison where Nelson Mandela was held for eighteen years.
Garden Route
A coastal road of lagoons, forests and whale-watching towns.
Drakensberg
A basalt escarpment of peaks, rock art and hiking trails.
Cape Winelands
Mountain-ringed valleys of vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads.
Festivals, food and getting around South Africa
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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🎉
New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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🎉
Tweede Nuwe Jaar
Falls on Jan 2
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🎉
Isra and Mi'raj
Falls on Jan 16
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🎉
Maha Shivaratri
Falls on Feb 15
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🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
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🎉
Armed Forces Day
Falls on Feb 21
Food & drink
Getting around
Domestic flights and long-distance coaches cover the country; car hire is standard for the parks and wine routes.
Travelling around South Africa’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in South Africa tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
South Africa's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
South Africa public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does South Africa have?
South Africa has 13 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for South Africa is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are South Africa's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, South Africa typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in South Africa?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for South Africa?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in South Africa
School term dates in South Africa
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.