South Africa: public holidays 2026

New Year’s Day marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. It is a nationwide public holiday in South Africa under the Public Holidays Act.

Human Rights Day remembers the 21 March 1960 Sharpeville shootings, a defining event in South Africa’s human-rights history. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday under the Public Holidays Act.

Good Friday is the Christian observance remembering the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday in South Africa under the Public Holidays Act.

Family Day is a nationwide South African public holiday in the Easter-period calendar. The Public Holidays Act lists it as a statutory public holiday.

Freedom Day commemorates South Africa’s first democratic elections, held on 27 April 1994. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday under the Public Holidays Act.

Workers’ Day is South Africa’s public holiday recognizing workers. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday under the Public Holidays Act.

Youth Day commemorates the 16 June 1976 Soweto student protests and the violence that followed. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday under the Public Holidays Act.

National Women’s Day commemorates the 9 August 1956 women’s march against pass laws. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday under the Public Holidays Act.

National Women’s Day commemorates the 9 August 1956 women’s march against pass laws. When a South African public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is also a public holiday; this is that substitute day and does not change the commemorated date.

Heritage Day recognizes South Africa’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage, including creative expression, history, language, food, and land, and supports identity and reconciliation. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday.

A public holiday designated for local government elections in South Africa.

Day of Reconciliation was formerly known as Day of the Vow; in democratic South Africa its purpose is to foster reconciliation and national unity. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday under the Public Holidays Act.

Christmas Day is the Christian feast commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday in South Africa under the Public Holidays Act.

Day of Goodwill is South Africa’s nationwide public holiday on 26 December, following Christmas Day. It is listed in the statutory public-holiday calendar under the Public Holidays Act.

New Year’s Day marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. It is a nationwide public holiday in South Africa under the Public Holidays Act.

Human Rights Day remembers the 21 March 1960 Sharpeville shootings, a defining event in South Africa’s human-rights history. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday under the Public Holidays Act.

Good Friday is the Christian observance remembering the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday in South Africa under the Public Holidays Act.

Family Day is a nationwide South African public holiday in the Easter-period calendar. The Public Holidays Act lists it as a statutory public holiday.

Freedom Day commemorates South Africa’s first democratic elections, held on 27 April 1994. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday under the Public Holidays Act.

Freedom Day commemorates South Africa’s first democratic elections, held on 27 April 1994. When a South African public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is also a public holiday; this is that substitute day and does not change the commemorated date.

Workers’ Day is South Africa’s public holiday recognizing workers. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday under the Public Holidays Act.

Youth Day commemorates the 16 June 1976 Soweto student protests and the violence that followed. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday under the Public Holidays Act.

National Women’s Day commemorates the 9 August 1956 women’s march against pass laws. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday under the Public Holidays Act.

Heritage Day recognizes South Africa’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage, including creative expression, history, language, food, and land, and supports identity and reconciliation. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday.

Day of Reconciliation was formerly known as Day of the Vow; in democratic South Africa its purpose is to foster reconciliation and national unity. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday under the Public Holidays Act.

Christmas Day is the Christian feast commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a nationwide statutory public holiday in South Africa under the Public Holidays Act.

Day of Goodwill is South Africa’s nationwide public holiday on 26 December, following Christmas Day. It is listed in the statutory public-holiday calendar under the Public Holidays Act.