Public Holidays in South Africa (2026)
13 public holidays and 4 observances in 2026.
Overview
- Country
- South Africa
- Year
- 2026
- Public Holidays
- 13
- Observances
- 4
- Next Holiday
- Freedom Day (Mon, Apr 27)
All Holidays (2026)
Public holidays are official days off when most businesses and government offices are closed. Observances are widely recognized occasions, but businesses typically remain open.
| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Jan 1 | New Year's Day | Public |
| Sat, Mar 21 | Human Rights Day | Public |
| Fri, Apr 3 | Good Friday | Public |
| Sun, Apr 5 | Easter Sunday | Observance |
| Mon, Apr 6 | Family Day | Public |
| Mon, Apr 27 | Freedom Day | Public |
| Fri, May 1 | Workers' Day | Public |
| Sun, May 10 | Mother's Day | Observance |
| Tue, Jun 16 | Youth Day | Public |
| Sun, Jun 21 | Father's Day | Observance |
| Sat, Jul 18 | Nelson Mandela Day | Observance |
| Sun, Aug 9 | National Women's Day | Public |
| Mon, Aug 10 | Public Holiday | Public |
| Thu, Sep 24 | Heritage Day | Public |
| Wed, Dec 16 | Day of Reconciliation | Public |
| Fri, Dec 25 | Christmas Day | Public |
| Sat, Dec 26 | Day of Goodwill | Public |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many public holidays does South Africa have in 2026?
- South Africa has 13 public holidays in 2026.
- What is the next public holiday in South Africa?
- The next public holiday is Freedom Day on Mon, Apr 27.
- What is the difference between a public holiday and an observance in South Africa?
- A public holiday is an official day off when most businesses are closed. An observance is a widely recognized occasion, but businesses typically remain open.