South Africa public holidays 2026
Next public holiday (South Africa): Day of Reconciliation, on Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 42 days from now.
- Public holidays
- 13
- On a weekend
- 3
- Long weekends
- 5
South Africa public holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| March 21 | Saturday | Human Rights Day |
| April 3 | Friday | Good Friday |
| April 6 | Monday | Family Day |
| April 27 | Monday | Freedom Day |
| May 1 | Friday | Workers' Day |
| June 16 | Tuesday | Youth Day |
| August 9 | Sunday | National Women's Day |
| August 10 | Monday | Public Holiday |
| September 24 | Thursday | Heritage Day |
| December 16 | Wednesday | Day of Reconciliation |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
| December 26 | Saturday | Day of Goodwill |
Long weekends and bridge days 2026
- January 1 – January 44 days off · if you take Friday January 2 off
- April 3 – April 64 days off
- April 25 – April 273 days off
- May 1 – May 33 days off
- June 13 – June 164 days off · if you take Monday June 15 off
- August 8 – August 103 days off
- September 24 – September 274 days off · if you take Friday September 25 off
- December 25 – December 273 days off
Other dates (not official days off)
| April 5 | Sunday | Easter Sunday |
| May 10 | Sunday | Mother's Day |
| June 21 | Sunday | Father's Day |
| July 18 | Saturday | Nelson Mandela Day |
National public holidays. Regional holidays, bridge days decreed each year and Islamic dates (set by moon sighting) may differ. Holiday data: date-holidays (CC BY 3.0).
Other years
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does South Africa have in 2026?
South Africa has 13 public holidays in 2026; 3 of them fall on a weekend.
When is the next public holiday in South Africa?
Next public holiday (South Africa): Day of Reconciliation, on Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 42 days from now.
How many long weekends are there in 2026?
In 2026, South Africa has 5 long weekends of three days or more, and 3 more if you take one bridge day off.