South Africa Public Holidays 2026
Public holidays
Sunday public holidays roll to Monday. One-off days (election days, etc.) are not included.
Next public holiday in South Africa
South Africa 2026
12 holidays · 6 long weekends
January
Thu1New Year's DayJanuary 1March
Sat21Human Rights DayMarch 21April
Fri3Good FridayFriday before Easter Sunday· Long weekend- Mon6Family DayMonday after Easter Sunday· Long weekend
- Mon27Freedom DayApril 27· Long weekend
May
Fri1Workers' DayMay 1· Long weekendJune
Tue16Youth DayJune 16August
Sun9National Women's DayAugust 9· Day off Mon, Aug 10· Long weekendSeptember
Thu24Heritage DaySeptember 24December
Wed16Day of ReconciliationDecember 16- Fri25Christmas DayDecember 25· Long weekend
- Sat26Day of GoodwillDecember 26
South Africa holidays in 2026
In 2026, South Africa has 12 public holidays. The year starts with New Year's Day on Thursday, January 1 and ends with Day of Goodwill on Saturday, December 26. 6 of the holidays give a long weekend, including Good Friday, Family Day, Freedom Day.
3 holidays fall on a weekend: Human Rights Day on Saturday, March 21, National Women's Day on Sunday, August 9 (day off Monday, August 10), Day of Goodwill on Saturday, December 26.
Sunday public holidays roll to Monday. One-off days (election days, etc.) are not included.
Other years
South Africa 2025South Africa 2027South Africa 2028South Africa 2029South Africa 2030
Other countries in 2026
United StatesNew ZealandAustraliaSpainBrazilJapanUnited KingdomCanadaGermanyFranceIrelandMexicoItaly
Check the local time on the South Africa world clock page, or set the online alarm clock for the day.
Questions
How many public holidays are there in South Africa in 2026?+
There are 12 public holidays in 2026. 6 of them give you a day off on a Monday or a Friday, so they make a long weekend.
When is the first and the last public holiday in 2026?+
The first is New Year's Day on Thursday, January 1. The last is Day of Goodwill on Saturday, December 26.
Which South Africa holidays fall on a weekend in 2026?+
Human Rights Day (Saturday, March 21); National Women's Day (Sunday, August 9), with the day off on Monday, August 10; Day of Goodwill (Saturday, December 26).
Are regional holidays in South Africa included?+
Sunday public holidays roll to Monday. One-off days (election days, etc.) are not included.
How do I add South Africa holidays to my calendar?+
Press the Add to calendar button on this page to download an .ics file with all 12 holidays for 2026. It opens in Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and Outlook.