Public Holidays in South Africa 2026
Complete list of national calendar holidays and observances in South Africa for 2026. 28 holidays tracked.
Next Holiday
Heritage Day
Thursday, September 24, 2026 · in 24 days
National Holiday
By type:
National Holiday(13)
Local(1)
UN Observance(7)
Observance(7)
January· 2 holidays
Jan1
New Year's DayPassed
Thu·Federal
Jan2
Tweede Nuwe Jaar (Second New Year)Passed
Fri·Local
February· 1 holiday
Feb21
International Mother Language DayPassed
Sat·UN
March· 3 holidays
Mar8
International Women's DayPassed
Sun·UN
Mar21
Human Rights DayPassed
Sat·Federal
Mar21
Sharpeville Day CommemorationPassed
Sat·Observance
April· 6 holidays
Apr2
International Children's Book DayPassed
Thu·UN
Apr3
Good FridayPassed
Fri·Federal
Apr6
Family DayPassed
Mon·Federal
Apr22
Earth DayPassed
Wed·UN
Apr27
Freedom DayPassed
Mon·Federal
Apr28
Freedom Day Substitute HolidayPassed
Tue·Federal
May· 4 holidays
May1
Workers' DayPassed
Fri·Federal
May4
Cassinga DayPassed
Mon·Observance
May8
World Red Cross and Red Crescent DayPassed
Fri·UN
May25
Africa DayPassed
Mon·Observance
June· 4 holidays
Jun1
International Children's DayPassed
Mon·UN
Jun5
World Environment DayPassed
Fri·UN
Jun16
Youth DayPassed
Tue·Federal
Jun16
Soweto Day CommemorationPassed
Tue·Observance
July· 1 holiday
Jul18
Nelson Mandela Day (67 minutes)Passed
Sat·Observance
August· 1 holiday
Aug9
National Women's DayPassed
Sun·Federal
September· 2 holidays
Sep24
Heritage Day
Thu·Federal· in 24 days
Sep24
National Braai Day
Thu·Observance· in 24 days
October· 1 holiday
Oct16
Boss's Day
Fri·Observance· in 46 days
December· 3 holidays
Dec16
Day of Reconciliation
Wed·Federal· in 107 days
Dec25
Christmas Day
Fri·Federal· in 116 days
Dec26
Day of Goodwill
Sat·Federal· in 117 days