South Africa holidays 2026

Long weekends

Free breaks of 3 days or more. No leave needed.

Apr 3 to Apr 6 · 4 days
Good Friday
Apr 25 to Apr 27 · 3 days
Freedom Day
May 1 to May 3 · 3 days
Workers' Day
Aug 8 to Aug 10 · 3 days
National Women's Day
Dec 25 to Dec 27 · 3 days
Christmas Day

Best breaks

Take a few days of leave around a holiday and get a much longer break.

January

4
days off
Jan 1 to Jan 4
Take 1 day off (Jan 2)
Around New Year's Day

March

10
days off
Mar 28 to Apr 6
Take 4 days off (Mar 30, Mar 31, Apr 1, Apr 2)
Around 2 holidays

April

9
days off
Apr 25 to May 3
Take 3 days off (Apr 28, Apr 29, Apr 30)
Around 2 holidays

June

4
days off
Jun 13 to Jun 16
Take 1 day off (Jun 15)
Around Youth Day

September

4
days off
Sep 24 to Sep 27
Take 1 day off (Sep 25)
Around Heritage Day

October

5
days off
Oct 31 to Nov 4
Take 2 days off (Nov 2, Nov 3)
Around Election Day

December

5
days off
Dec 12 to Dec 16
Take 2 days off (Dec 14, Dec 15)
Around Day of Reconciliation

Public holidays

New Year's DayThu, Jan 1
Human Rights DaySat, Mar 21
Good FridayFri, Apr 3
Family DayMon, Apr 6
Freedom DayMon, Apr 27
Workers' DayFri, May 1
Youth DayTue, Jun 16
National Women's DayMon, Aug 10
Heritage DayThu, Sep 24
Election DayWed, Nov 4
Day of ReconciliationWed, Dec 16
Christmas DayFri, Dec 25
Day of GoodwillSat, Dec 26

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