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Public Holidays in South Africa 2026

South Africa has 13 public holidays in 2026. The first is New Year's Day on Thursday, January 1 and the last is Day of Goodwill on Saturday, December 26. The weekend is Saturday and Sunday.

Next holiday in South Africa

Day of Reconciliation

Wednesday, December 16, 2026 · in 59 days

Live countdown →
13
Holidays
10
On working days
5
Long weekends
251
Working days

South African public holidays 2026

Add to calendar (.ics) Printable 2026 calendar
Date Holiday
Thursday New Year's Day
Saturday Human Rights Day
Friday Good Friday
Monday Family Day
Monday Freedom Day
Friday Workers' Day
Tuesday Youth Day
Sunday National Women's Day
Monday National Women's Day (observed)
Thursday Heritage Day
Wednesday Day of Reconciliation in 59 days
Friday Christmas Day
Saturday Day of Goodwill

Public holidays under the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994. A holiday on a Sunday moves to the Monday. Source: South African Government, public holidays; rules checked October 17, 2026.

Long weekends in 2026

Three or more days off in a row, with no leave needed.

  • Fri, Apr 3 – Mon, Apr 6

    Good Friday, Family Day

    4 days

  • Sat, Apr 25 – Mon, Apr 27

    Freedom Day

    3 days

  • Fri, May 1 – Sun, May 3

    Workers' Day

    3 days

  • Sat, Aug 8 – Mon, Aug 10

    National Women's Day

    3 days

  • Fri, Dec 25 – Sun, Dec 27

    Christmas Day, Day of Goodwill

    3 days

Take one day off, get a longer break

Book a single day of leave on these dates to join a holiday to the weekend.

  • Take Fri, Jan 2 off

    Thu, Jan 1 – Sun, Jan 4 · New Year's Day

    4 days

  • Take Mon, Jun 15 off

    Sat, Jun 13 – Tue, Jun 16 · Youth Day

    4 days

  • Take Fri, Sep 25 off

    Thu, Sep 24 – Sun, Sep 27 · Heritage Day

    4 days

Working days in South Africa 2026

Business days and working hours for every month and quarter.

2026 calendar for South Africa

A printable year calendar with these holidays marked.

Countdown timer

Count down to the next holiday, Eid, Christmas or New Year.

South African holidays 2026: questions and answers

How many public holidays are there in South Africa in 2026?

There are 13 South African public holidays in 2026, counting substitute days. 10 of them fall on working days, which leaves 251 working days after 104 weekend days.

What are the South African holidays in 2026?

The South African public holidays in 2026 are New Year's Day (Thursday, January 1), Human Rights Day (Saturday, March 21), Good Friday (Friday, April 3), Family Day (Monday, April 6), Freedom Day (Monday, April 27), Workers' Day (Friday, May 1), Youth Day (Tuesday, June 16), National Women's Day (Sunday, August 9), National Women's Day (observed) (Monday, August 10), Heritage Day (Thursday, September 24), Day of Reconciliation (Wednesday, December 16), Christmas Day (Friday, December 25) and Day of Goodwill (Saturday, December 26).

When is the next public holiday in South Africa?

The next holiday is Day of Reconciliation on Wednesday, December 16, 2026, in 59 days.

How many long weekends are there in South Africa in 2026?

There are 5 long weekends of three days or more in 2026: Apr 3–Apr 6 (4 days, Good Friday, Family Day); Apr 25–Apr 27 (3 days, Freedom Day); May 1–May 3 (3 days, Workers' Day); Aug 8–Aug 10 (3 days, National Women's Day); Dec 25–Dec 27 (3 days, Christmas Day, Day of Goodwill).

Which days are the weekend in South Africa?

The weekend in South Africa is Saturday and Sunday. Holidays that fall on a weekend are shown in the list, and the weekday given off instead is listed as well.

Are these holidays the same everywhere in South Africa?

Public holidays under the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994. A holiday on a Sunday moves to the Monday.

Public holidays 2026 in other countries

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