🇿🇦South Africa 2026 Public Holidays List
View the complete list of holidays for South Africa in 2026, including statutory holidays, bank holidays, public holidays, school holidays, and significant commemorative days.
Holidays
Total 17 Holidays
| Holiday Name | Date | Countdown | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
New Year's Day | 2026-01-01 | 271 days ago | Public Holidays |
Human Rights Day | 2026-03-21 | 192 days ago | Public Holidays |
Good Friday | 2026-04-03 | 179 days ago | Public Holidays |
Easter Sunday | 2026-04-05 | 177 days ago | Memorial Days |
Family Day | 2026-04-06 | 176 days ago | Public Holidays |
Freedom Day | 2026-04-27 | 155 days ago | Public Holidays |
Workers' Day | 2026-05-01 | 151 days ago | Public Holidays |
Mother's Day | 2026-05-10 | 142 days ago | Memorial Days |
Youth Day | 2026-06-16 | 105 days ago | Public Holidays |
Father's Day | 2026-06-21 | 100 days ago | Memorial Days |
Nelson Mandela Day | 2026-07-18 | 73 days ago | Memorial Days |
National Women's Day | 2026-08-09 | 51 days ago | Public Holidays |
Public Holiday | 2026-08-10 | 50 days ago | Public Holidays |
Heritage Day | 2026-09-24 | 5 days ago | Public Holidays |
Day of Reconciliation | 2026-12-16 | 78 days remaining | Public Holidays |
Christmas Day | 2026-12-25 | 87 days remaining | Public Holidays |
Day of Goodwill | 2026-12-26 | 88 days remaining | Public Holidays |
South Africa 2026 Holiday Planning Highlights
South Africa has 13 public holidays in 2026. The insights below are calculated directly from the holiday dates on this page and can help you plan your time off.
Long weekends without taking leave
The following 5 breaks require no time off, as the holidays are already connected to a weekend.
- Good Friday: 2026-04-03 to 2026-04-06, 4 consecutive days
- Freedom Day: 2026-04-25 to 2026-04-27, 3 consecutive days
- Workers' Day: 2026-05-01 to 2026-05-03, 3 consecutive days
- National Women's Day: 2026-08-08 to 2026-08-10, 3 consecutive days
- Christmas Day: 2026-12-25 to 2026-12-27, 3 consecutive days
Take 1 day off for 4+ consecutive days
The following 3 opportunities require taking just 1 day off between a holiday and a weekend to create at least 4 consecutive days of rest.
- New Year's Day: after taking leave, enjoy 4 consecutive days from 2026-01-01 to 2026-01-04
- Youth Day: after taking leave, enjoy 4 consecutive days from 2026-06-13 to 2026-06-16
- Heritage Day: after taking leave, enjoy 4 consecutive days from 2026-09-24 to 2026-09-27
In 2026, 3 public holidays fall on a Saturday or Sunday. Whether South Africa provides substitute holidays depends on the official announcement.
4 is the busiest holiday month, with 3 public holidays.