How many public holidays does South Africa have in 2026?
South Africa has 12 public holidays and 1 substitute holidays in 2026, a total of 13 days off, per South African Government — Public Holidays 2026 (Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994).
South Africa has 12 public holidays in 2026, plus 1 substitute holidays — 13 days off in total, per South African Government — Public Holidays 2026 (Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994). The longest long weekend lasts 4 days on 3–6 April 2026.
12 Public Holidays1 Substitute Holidays
Public HolidaySubstitute HolidayToday
January
Summer
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
- 1New Year's Day
February
Summer
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
No holidays this month.
March
Autumn
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
- 21Human Rights Day
April
Autumn
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
- 3Good Friday
- 6Family Day
- 27Freedom Day
May
Autumn
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
- 1Workers' Day
June
Winter
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
- 16Youth Day
July
Winter
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
No holidays this month.
August
Winter
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
- 9National Women's Day
- 10National Women's Day (substitute)
September
Spring
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
- 24Heritage Day
October
Spring
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
No holidays this month.
November
Spring
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
No holidays this month.
December
Summer
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
- 16Day of Reconciliation
- 25Christmas Day
- 26Day of Goodwill
Long Weekends in South Africa, 2026
South Africa has 6 long-weekend periods in 2026 — runs of two or more consecutive work-free days formed by holidays and weekends. The longest lasts 4 days on 3–6 April 2026, covering Good Friday and Family Day. Use the day-by-day breakdown of each period to plan trips and leave requests.
21–22 March 2026
entirely official days off
2 days
- Sat21Human Rights DayHoliday
- Sun22SundayHoliday
3–6 April 2026
*includes a regular Saturday
4 days
- Fri3Good FridayHoliday
- Sat4Saturday
- Sun5SundayHoliday
- Mon6Family DayHoliday
25–27 April 2026
*includes a regular Saturday
3 days
- Sat25Saturday
- Sun26SundayHoliday
- Mon27Freedom DayHoliday
1–3 May 2026
*includes a regular Saturday
3 days
- Fri1Workers' DayHoliday
- Sat2Saturday
- Sun3SundayHoliday
8–10 August 2026
*includes a regular Saturday
3 days
- Sat8Saturday
- Sun9National Women's DayHoliday
- Mon10National Women's Day (substitute)Substitute
25–27 December 2026
entirely official days off
3 days
- Fri25Christmas DayHoliday
- Sat26Day of GoodwillHoliday
- Sun27SundayHoliday
South Africa Public Holidays in 2026
Throughout 2026, South Africa has 12 public holidays and 1 substitute holidays. The first holiday falls on 1 January (New Year's Day) and the last on 26 December (Day of Goodwill).
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Holiday |
| 21 March 2026 | Saturday | Human Rights Day | Holiday |
| 3 April 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | Holiday |
| 6 April 2026 | Monday | Family Day | Holiday |
| 27 April 2026 | Monday | Freedom Day | Holiday |
| 1 May 2026 | Friday | Workers' Day | Holiday |
| 16 June 2026 | Tuesday | Youth Day | Holiday |
| 9 August 2026 | Sunday | National Women's Day | Holiday |
| 10 August 2026 | Monday | National Women's Day (substitute) | Substitute |
| 24 September 2026 | Thursday | Heritage Day | Holiday |
| 16 December 2026 | Wednesday | Day of Reconciliation | Holiday |
| 25 December 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Holiday |
| 26 December 2026 | Saturday | Day of Goodwill | Holiday |
Official source: South African Government — Public Holidays 2026 (Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994) (The twelve statutory public holidays plus the Monday substitute for National Women's Day (Sunday, 9 August). The municipal election day announced for 4 November 2026 becomes a public holiday only once formally proclaimed and is not yet included.). Compiled by CalendarWorld. The twelve statutory holidays under the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994. A holiday falling on a Sunday is followed by a Monday public holiday (National Women's Day → 10 August in 2026); Saturday holidays are not substituted. The 4 November 2026 election day becomes a holiday only once formally proclaimed.
Download South Africa 2026 Holiday Data
The South Africa 2026 holiday data is available in open formats: JSON for applications, CSV for spreadsheets, and ICS for importing into Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook.
Seasons in South Africa
South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, with four temperate seasons. Most of the country has summer rainfall; the southwest (around Cape Town) has a Mediterranean winter-rainfall pattern.
Current season in South Africa
Spring
September – November
Days lengthen and temperatures climb after winter; trees blossom and the growing season begins.
Astronomical: 23 Sep – 21 DecSummer
December – February
The warmest season, with the longest daylight hours around the summer solstice.
Astronomical: 21 Dec – 20 MarAutumn
March – May
Temperatures cool and days shorten; deciduous leaves turn colour and fall.
Astronomical: 20 Mar – 21 JunWinter
June – August
The coldest season, with the shortest daylight hours around the winter solstice.
Astronomical: 21 Jun – 23 SepSeasonal timing is approximate and varies by region and year. Compare seasons across all countries →
Frequently Asked Questions
How many long weekends are there in South Africa in 2026?
There are 6 long-weekend periods in South Africa in 2026. The longest lasts 4 days on 3-6 April 2026, covering Good Friday and Family Day.
What is the official source for the 2026 South Africa holiday calendar?
The official source is South African Government — Public Holidays 2026 (Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994) (The twelve statutory public holidays plus the Monday substitute for National Women's Day (Sunday, 9 August). The municipal election day announced for 4 November 2026 becomes a public holiday only once formally proclaimed and is not yet included).
What happens when a South African holiday falls on a weekend?
Under the Public Holidays Act, only Sunday holidays are substituted: the following Monday becomes a public holiday. In 2026, National Women's Day falls on Sunday 9 August, so Monday 10 August is also a holiday — while Human Rights Day (Saturday, 21 March) and the Day of Goodwill (Saturday, 26 December) get no substitute.
Is the 2026 municipal election day a public holiday?
It is expected to be. President Ramaphosa set the local government elections for Wednesday 4 November 2026, and election days are traditionally proclaimed public holidays under Section 2A of the Act. The formal proclamation had not been gazetted yet as of mid-2026, so the date is not in this calendar until it is official.