South Africa public holidays
Next holiday:
- Day of Reconciliation, Wednesday, December 16, 2026
- Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 2026
- Day of Goodwill, Saturday, December 26, 2026
- New Year's Day, Friday, January 1, 2027
- Human Rights Day (substitute day), Monday, March 22, 2027
- Good Friday, Friday, March 26, 2027
- Family Day, Monday, March 29, 2027
- Freedom Day, Tuesday, April 27, 2027
- Workers' Day, Saturday, May 1, 2027
- Youth Day, Wednesday, June 16, 2027
- National Women's Day, Monday, August 9, 2027
- Heritage Day, Friday, September 24, 2027
- Day of Reconciliation, Thursday, December 16, 2027
- Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25, 2027
- Day of Goodwill (substitute day), Monday, December 27, 2027
- New Year's Day, Saturday, January 1, 2028
- Human Rights Day, Tuesday, March 21, 2028
- Good Friday, Friday, April 14, 2028
- Family Day, Monday, April 17, 2028
- Freedom Day, Thursday, April 27, 2028
- Workers' Day, Monday, May 1, 2028
- Youth Day, Friday, June 16, 2028
- National Women's Day, Wednesday, August 9, 2028
- Heritage Day (substitute day), Monday, September 25, 2028
- Day of Reconciliation, Saturday, December 16, 2028
- Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, 2028
- Day of Goodwill, Tuesday, December 26, 2028
Public holidays12 days in 2026
South Africa holidays 2026
| Date | Holiday | Note |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | ||
| Human Rights Day | On a Saturday, not moved | |
| Good Friday | ||
| Family Day | ||
| Freedom Day | ||
| Workers' Day | ||
| Youth Day | ||
| National Women's Day (substitute day) | August 9 is a Sunday | |
| Heritage Day | ||
| Day of Reconciliation | ||
| Christmas Day | ||
| Day of Goodwill | On a Saturday, not moved |
South Africa holidays 2027
| Date | Holiday | Note |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | ||
| Human Rights Day (substitute day) | March 21 is a Sunday | |
| Good Friday | ||
| Family Day | ||
| Freedom Day | ||
| Workers' Day | On a Saturday, not moved | |
| Youth Day | ||
| National Women's Day | ||
| Heritage Day | ||
| Day of Reconciliation | ||
| Christmas Day | On a Saturday, not moved | |
| Day of Goodwill (substitute day) | December 26 is a Sunday |
South Africa holidays 2028
| Date | Holiday | Note |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | On a Saturday, not moved (computed from the rule) | |
| Human Rights Day | (computed from the rule) | |
| Good Friday | (computed from the rule) | |
| Family Day | (computed from the rule) | |
| Freedom Day | (computed from the rule) | |
| Workers' Day | (computed from the rule) | |
| Youth Day | (computed from the rule) | |
| National Women's Day | (computed from the rule) | |
| Heritage Day (substitute day) | September 24 is a Sunday (computed from the rule) | |
| Day of Reconciliation | On a Saturday, not moved (computed from the rule) | |
| Christmas Day | (computed from the rule) | |
| Day of Goodwill | (computed from the rule) |
About South Africa’s public holidays
South Africa’s public holidays under the Public Holidays Act 1994: when a holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday is a public holiday.
In 2026, 12 holiday days are listed; 2 of them fall on a Saturday or Sunday and are not moved, and 1 is taken on another day because the date falls on a weekend. 6 are taken on a Monday or Friday, making a three-day weekend.
Weekends and substitute days
Whenever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a public holiday (s.2(1)). No substitution for Saturday.
Legal basis: Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 (Schedule 1; s.2(1)).
Source
Dates were checked against this source on 2 November 2026. Governments can add or move holidays by proclamation; the source is authoritative.
Questions
How many public holidays does South Africa have?
12 national holiday days in 2026, 12 national holiday days in 2027, 12 national holiday days in 2028, counting each day taken once.
What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend in South Africa?
Human Rights Day on Sat, Mar 21, 2026: not moved; National Women's Day on Sun, Aug 9, 2026: day off Mon, Aug 10; Day of Goodwill on Sat, Dec 26, 2026: not moved; Human Rights Day on Sun, Mar 21, 2027: day off Mon, Mar 22; Workers' Day on Sat, May 1, 2027: not moved; Christmas Day on Sat, Dec 25, 2027: not moved; 4 more in the tables above. The rule: Whenever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a public holiday (s.2(1)). No substitution for Saturday.
Where do these dates come from?
From South African Government, checked on 2 November 2026. Legal basis: Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 (Schedule 1; s.2(1)).