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Ready for a day off? Here’s an overview of public holidays, as well as other important dates in South Africa:
An overview of public holidays in South Africa
Public holidays in South Africa are generally referred to as bank holidays. There are 12 annual celebrations as determined by the Public Holidays Act. When holidays fall on a Sunday, the following Monday is typically given as a public holiday.
When are South Africa’s public holidays in 2026?
These holidays are celebrated nationwide in South Africa:
| Date | Weekday | Holiday |
| 1 January 2026 | Wed | New Year’s Day |
| 21 March 2026 | Sat | Human Rights Day |
| 3 April 2026 | Fri | Good Friday |
| 6 April 2026 | Mon | Family Day |
| 27 April 2026 | Mon | Freedom Day |
| 1 May 2026 | Fri | Workers’ Day |
| 16 June 2026 | Tue | Youth Day |
| 9 August 2026 Observed on Monday, 10 August, day off | Sun | National Women’s Day |
| 24 September 2026 | Thur | Heritage Day |
| 16 December 2025 | Wed | Day of Reconciliation |
| 25 December 2025 | Fri | Christmas Day |
| 26 December 2025 | Sat | Day of Goodwill |
Other important dates in 2026
Alongside public holidays, you’ll want to make note of these other prominent dates in South Africa:
| Date | Weekday | Holiday |
| 21 February 2026 | Sat | Armed Forces Day |
| 10 May 2026 | Sun | Mother’s Day |
| 21 June 2026 | Sun | Father’s Day |
| 18 July 2026 | Sat | Nelson Mandela Day – events run throughout July |
| 31 December 2026 | Thur | New Year’s Eve |
When are South Africa’s public holidays in 2027?
| Date | Weekday | Holiday |
| 1 January 2026 | Thu | New Year’s Day |
| 21 March 2026 | Sat | Human Rights Day |
| 3 April 2026 | Fri | Good Friday |
| 6 April 2026 | Mon | Family Day |
| 27 April 2026 | Mon | Freedom Day |
| 1 May 2026 | Fri | Workers’ Day |
| 16 June 2026 | Tue | Youth Day |
| 9 August 2026 | Sun | National Women’s Day |
| 24 September 2026 | Thu | Heritage Day |
| 16 December 2026 | Wed | Day of Reconciliation |
| 25 December 2026 | Fri | Christmas Day |
| 26 December 2026 | Sat | Day of Goodwill |
Other important dates in 2027
Alongside public holidays, you’ll want to make note of these other prominent dates in South Africa:
| Date | Weekday | Holiday |
| 21 February 2026 | Sat | Armed Forces Day |
| 10 May 2026 | Sun | Mother’s Day |
| 21 June 2026 | Sun | Father’s Day |
| 18 July 2026 | Sat | Nelson Mandela Day – events run throughout July |
| 31 December 2026 | Thu | New Year’s Eve |
When were South Africa’s public holidays in 2025?
| Date | Weekday | Holiday |
| 1 January 2025 | Wed | New Year’s Day |
| 21 March 2025 | Fri | Human Rights Day |
| 18 April 2025 | Fri | Good Friday |
| 21 April 2025 | Mon | Family Day |
| 27 April 2025 Observed on Monday, 28 April, day off | Sun | Freedom Day |
| 1 May 2025 | Thur | Workers’ Day |
| 16 June 2025 Observed on Monday, 17 June, day off | Sun | Youth Day |
| 9 August 2025 | Sat | National Women’s Day |
| 24 September 2025 | Wed | Heritage Day |
| 16 December 2025 | Tue | Day of Reconciliation |
| 25 December 2025 | Thur | Christmas Day |
| 26 December 2025 | Fri | Day of Goodwill |
Other important dates in 2025
| Date | Weekday | Holiday |
| 21 February 2025 | Fri | Armed Forces Day |
| 11 May 2025 | Sun | Mother’s Day |
| 15 June 2025 | Sun | Father’s Day |
| 18 July 2025 | Fri | Nelson Mandela Day – events run throughout July |
| 31 December 2024 | Wed | New Year’s Eve |
When are the school holidays in South Africa?
Wondering when your children will have some time off? Read more about school holidays in South Africa.
