South Africa · 2026

Public holidays in South Africa 2026

3
days until Heritage Day

13 national public holidays · 10 fall on a weekday

Updated on September 20, 2026

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All 2026 public holidays

9 holidays have already passed this year
  1. 1 janThuNew Year's Day
  2. 21 marSatHuman Rights Day
  3. 3 aprFriGood Friday
  4. 6 aprMonFamily Day
  5. 27 aprMonFreedom Day
  6. 1 mayFriWorkers' Day
  7. 16 junTueYouth Day
  8. 9 augSunNational Women's Day
  9. 10 augMonPublic Holiday (National Women's Day)
  1. 24 sepThuHeritage Day3 days
  2. 16 decWedDay of Reconciliation86 days
  3. 25 decFriChristmas Day95 days
  4. 26 decSatDay of Goodwill96 days

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Long weekends in 2026

How many days off each holiday gives you, and how many vacation days it takes to stretch it.

Heritage Day September 24 Bridge

Falls on Thursday. Taking Friday September 25 off, that is 4 days in a row.

Day of Reconciliation December 16 Bridge

Falls on Wednesday. Taking Monday December 14 y Tuesday December 15 off, that is 5 days in a row.

Christmas Day / Day of Goodwill December 25 – December 26 3 days off

Falls on Friday: 3 days off in a row without taking any vacation.

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Frequently asked questions

How many national public holidays does South Africa have in 2026?
South Africa has 13 national public holidays in 2026. These apply across the whole country; local holidays for a district or municipality are not included.
Which is the next public holiday in South Africa?
The next one is Heritage Day, on September 24 (Thursday). 3 days to go.
Which public holidays fall on a weekend in 2026?
3 of the 13 fall on a Saturday or Sunday: Human Rights Day (March 21), National Women's Day (August 9), Day of Goodwill (December 26).
Are public holidays paid in South Africa?
National public holidays are generally paid days off, and working on one usually entitles you to a premium. The details and the rate depend on South Africa law and on your contract: check your country labour authority.
More about work and rights in South Africa →
Does this list include regional holidays?
No. Only NATIONAL holidays are listed, the ones that apply across South Africa. Local patron saint days and district or municipal holidays are deliberately excluded: mixing them would produce a list that applies to no one in particular, because someone in one town does not get another town local holiday off.
This list covers only the NATIONAL public holidays of South Africa, the ones that apply countrywide. It does not include local patron saint days or district holidays: for those, check the labour authority of South Africa or your local government.

2026 calendar

September 11
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October 1
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South Africa public holidays 2027 Botswana public holidays 2026 Ghana public holidays 2026 Kenya public holidays 2026 South Africa labour resource centre

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