South Africa · 2027

Public holidays in South Africa 2027

57
days until New Year's Day

14 national public holidays · 10 fall on a weekday

Updated on November 5, 2026

Saplic · Job board in South Africa

All 2027 public holidays

  1. 1 janFriNew Year's Day57 days
  2. 21 marSunHuman Rights Day136 days
  3. 22 marMonPublic Holiday (Human Rights Day)137 days
  4. 26 marFriGood Friday141 days
  5. 29 marMonFamily Day144 days
  6. 27 aprTueFreedom Day173 days
  7. 1 maySatWorkers' Day177 days
  8. 16 junWedYouth Day223 days
  9. 9 augMonNational Women's Day277 days
  10. 24 sepFriHeritage Day323 days
  11. 16 decThuDay of Reconciliation406 days
  12. 25 decSatChristmas Day415 days
  13. 26 decSunDay of Goodwill416 days
  14. 27 decMonPublic Holiday (Day of Goodwill)417 days

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Long weekends in 2027

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

New Year's Day January 1 3 days in a row

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

Human Rights Day / Public Holiday (Human Rights Day) March 21 – March 22 3 days in a row

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

Good Friday March 26 4 days in a row

Falls on Friday: 4 days off in a row without taking any vacation.

Family Day March 29 4 days in a row

Falls on Monday: 4 days off in a row without taking any vacation.

Freedom Day April 27 Bridge

Falls on Tuesday. Taking Monday April 26 off, that is 4 days in a row.

Youth Day June 16 Bridge

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

National Women's Day August 9 3 days in a row

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

Heritage Day September 24 3 days in a row

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

Day of Reconciliation December 16 Bridge

Falls on Thursday. Taking Friday December 17 off, that is 4 days in a row.

Christmas Day / Day of Goodwill / Public Holiday (Day of Goodwill) December 25 – December 27 3 days in a row

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

Working on a public holiday is paid differently. Know your rights and find your next job.

Frequently asked questions

How many national public holidays does South Africa have in 2027?
South Africa has 14 national public holidays in 2027. These apply across the whole country; local holidays for a department or municipality are not included.
When is the next public holiday in South Africa?
The next one is New Year's Day, on January 1 (Friday). 57 days to go.
Which public holidays fall on a weekend in 2027?
4 of the 14 fall on a Saturday or Sunday: Human Rights Day (March 21), Workers' Day (May 1), Christmas Day (December 25), 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 extra pay. The details and the rate depend on the law of South Africa and on your contract: check with your country’s 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. Patron saint festivals and department or municipal holidays are left out on purpose: mixing them in would produce a list that applies to no one in particular, because someone who lives in one town does not get another town’s patron saint day off.
This list includes only the NATIONAL public holidays of South Africa, the ones that apply countrywide. It does not include patron saint festivals or department or municipal holidays: for those, check with the labour authority of South Africa or your local government.

2027 calendar

January 11
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February 1
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