12Public Holidays
3Fall on a Weekend
2Fall on a Monday
5Long Weekends
In 2026, South Africa observes 12 public holidays, starting with New Year's Day on January 1 and closing the year with Day of Goodwill on December 26. Friday is the most common day of the week for a holiday to fall on this year, and 3 of the 12 holidays land on a weekend. Use the month-by-month grids below to plan time off, or jump straight to the full list and FAQ.
Month by Month
January2026
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●1 Jan – New Year's Day
February2026
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March2026
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●21 Mar – Human Rights Day
April2026
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●3 Apr – Good Friday
●6 Apr – Family Day
●27 Apr – Freedom Day
May2026
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●1 May – Workers' Day
June2026
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●16 Jun – Youth Day
July2026
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August2026
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●9 Aug – National Women's Day
September2026
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●24 Sep – Heritage Day
October2026
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November2026
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December2026
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●16 Dec – Day of Reconciliation
●25 Dec – Christmas Day
●26 Dec – Day of Goodwill
Full Holiday List
| Date | Holiday | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | New Year's Day | Thursday |
| Mar 21 | Human Rights Day | Saturday weekend |
| Apr 3 | Good Friday | Friday |
| Apr 6 | Family Day | Monday |
| Apr 27 | Freedom Day | Monday |
| May 1 | Workers' Day | Friday |
| Jun 16 | Youth Day | Tuesday |
| Aug 9 | National Women's Day | Sunday weekend |
| Sep 24 | Heritage Day | Thursday |
| Dec 16 | Day of Reconciliation | Wednesday |
| Dec 25 | Christmas Day | Friday |
| Dec 26 | Day of Goodwill | Saturday weekend |
Common Questions
How many public holidays does South Africa have in 2026?
South Africa observes 12 public holidays in 2026, based on national/federal-level sources.
How many 2026 holidays fall on a weekend in South Africa?
3 of South Africa's 12 public holidays in 2026 fall on a Saturday or Sunday.
What is the first public holiday of 2026 in South Africa?
New Year's Day on January 1, 2026 is the first public holiday of the year.
What is the last public holiday of 2026 in South Africa?
Day of Goodwill on December 26, 2026 closes out the public holiday calendar for South Africa.