Public Holidays in South Africa 2026
13 listed public holiday dates in 2026
South Africa has 12 statutory public holidays, with an additional Monday whenever a public holiday falls on Sunday.
South Africa Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| Mar 21 | Saturday | Human Rights Day |
| Apr 3 | Friday | Good Friday |
| Apr 6 | Monday | Family Day |
| Apr 27 | Monday | Freedom Day |
| May 1 | Friday | Workers' Day |
| Jun 16 | Tuesday | Youth Day |
| Aug 9 | Sunday | National Women's Day |
| Aug 10 | Monday | National Women's Day Observed |
| Sep 24 | Thursday | Heritage Day |
| Dec 16 | Wednesday | Day of Reconciliation |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
| Dec 26 | Saturday | Day of Goodwill |
2026 and 2027 dates follow the South African Government's official calendar.
Sunday Substitution Rule 2026
The Public Holidays Act explicitly makes the following Monday a public holiday whenever a statutory holiday falls on Sunday.
Holiday Rules in South Africa
The government already publishes both the 2026 and 2027 calendars under the Public Holidays Act.
South Africa Holiday Calendar: What to Know
- There are 12 statutory public holidays.
- Freedom Day is 27 April.
- Heritage Day is 24 September.
- Sunday holidays create a Monday public holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 2027 dates official?
Yes, the South African Government publishes them.
Why is 10 August 2026 a holiday?
Women's Day falls on Sunday 9 August.
When is Freedom Day?
27 April.
What is Family Day?
The Monday after Easter Sunday.
Sources & methodology
View sources used for this page
Official 2026 and 2027 public-holiday calendar and Sunday-substitution rule.
Independent calendar cross-check used for date, weekday and observed-day review. Government notices and statutory rules take precedence where they differ.
Source hierarchy: government, statutory or institutional material is used as the primary reference where available. Timeanddate is retained only as an independent calendar cross-check. Later official declarations take precedence.