When are the South African public holidays for 2026? Dates and days
Want a five-day break using just one day of leave? Or a four-day Easter escape? Plan it with these South African public holidays of 2026.
Planning your year ahead? South Africa has 12 official public holidays in 2026, though the way they fall means South Africans will have 10 working days off rather than the usual 12.
Here’s everything you need to know about South African public holidays for 2026, including dates, days of the week, and how to make the most of your time off.
Complete list of South African public holidays 2026
1. New Year’s Day
Thursday, 1 January 2026
Start the year with a public holiday falling on a Thursday, creating the perfect opportunity for a long weekend if you take Friday off.
2. Human Rights Day
Saturday, 21 March 2026
Commemorating the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960, this important day falls on a Saturday. Under the Public Holidays Act, holidays falling on Saturdays are not observed on another day, meaning those who don’t work weekends won’t get an additional day off.
3. Good Friday
Friday, 3 April 2026
The start of the Easter long weekend, Good Friday is always a welcome public holiday for South Africans.
4. Family Day
Monday, 6 April 2026
Following Easter Sunday, Family Day creates a four-day Easter weekend, perfect for family gatherings or a quick getaway.
5. Freedom Day
Monday, 27 April 2026
Celebrating South Africa’s first democratic elections on 27 April 1994, this public holiday falls on a Monday, giving everyone a three-day weekend.
6. Workers’ Day (May Day)
Friday, 1 May 2026
Honouring workers and the labour movement, this Friday holiday creates another long weekend opportunity.
7. Youth Day
Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Commemorating the Soweto Uprising of 1976, Youth Day falls midweek in 2026, providing a welcome break in the middle of winter.
8. National Women’s Day
Sunday, 9 August 2026
This day honours the 1956 women’s march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
9. Public Holiday (observed for National Women’s Day)
Monday, 10 August 2026
Since National Women’s Day falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a public holiday, creating a long weekend.
10. Heritage Day
Thursday, 24 September 2026
Also known as Braai Day, this celebration of South Africa’s diverse cultures falls on a Thursday. Take Friday off for an extended spring weekend.
11. Day of Reconciliation
Wednesday, 16 December 2026
A midweek public holiday promoting national unity and reconciliation.
12. Christmas Day
Friday, 25 December 2026
Christmas falls on a Friday, kicking off the festive season with a bang.
13. Day of Goodwill
Saturday, 26 December 2026
Also known as Boxing Day, this holiday falls on a Saturday and won’t be observed on another day for those who don’t work weekends.
Why South Africans “lose” two public holidays in 2026
South Africans will only get 10 instead of 12 working days off from public holidays in 2026 due to the way the Public Holidays Act handles public holidays that fall on weekends.
The Act states that when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes a public holiday. However, there’s no such provision for Saturdays.
In 2026, two public holidays fall on Saturdays: Human Rights Day (21 March) and Day of Goodwill (26 December).
For those who don’t work weekends, these dates won’t result in additional days off from work.
Best long weekends in 2026
Make the most of South Africa’s public holidays in 2026 by planning strategic leave:
- Easter Weekend: 3-6 April (natural four-day weekend)
- Early January: Take 2 January for a five-day break
- Freedom Day Weekend: 25-27 April (natural three-day weekend)
- Workers’ Day Weekend: 1-3 May (natural three-day weekend)
- Women’s Day Weekend: 9-10 August (natural three-day weekend)
- Heritage Day Bridge: Take 25 September for a four-day weekend
- Christmas Weekend: 25-27 December (natural long weekend)
South African Public Holidays Act
South Africa has 12 public holidays as determined by the Public Holidays Act (Act No 36 of 1994). The Act ensures that employees are entitled to paid time off on these days, and if required to work, they must receive double time compensation.
For South African expats in the UK
For those of us who’ve made the UK home, it’s worth noting that England and Wales only get 8 public holidays (bank holidays) per year, compared to South Africa’s 12.
It’s one of the many adjustments expats make, though the UK does compensate with generally more generous annual leave allowances in employment contracts.