South Africa Public Holidays 2026
Complete calendar of national holidays, school terms and travel planning
2026 Holiday Calendar
| Date | Day | Holiday | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year's Day | Start of the year |
| 21 March | Saturday | Human Rights Day | Commemorates Sharpeville massacre 1960 |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday | Christian observance |
| 6 April | Monday | Family Day | Monday after Easter |
| 27 April | Monday | Freedom Day | First democratic elections 1994 |
| 1 May | Friday | Workers' Day | International Labour Day |
| 16 June | Tuesday | Youth Day | Soweto uprising 1976 |
| 9 August | Sunday | National Women's Day | Women's march to Union Buildings 1956 |
| 10 August | Monday | Women's Day (observed) | Monday observance (falls on Sunday) |
| 24 September | Thursday | Heritage Day | "National Braai Day" - cultural heritage |
| 16 December | Wednesday | Day of Reconciliation | Unity and reconciliation |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day | Christian observance |
| 26 December | Saturday | Day of Goodwill | Boxing Day equivalent |
Business Hours
| Type | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Banks | Mon-Fri 9:00-15:30, Sat 8:30-11:00 | Closed Sundays and holidays |
| Shopping Malls | Mon-Sat 9:00-18:00, Sun 9:00-17:00 | May open on public holidays with reduced hours |
| Supermarkets | Daily 8:00-20:00 | Most open on public holidays |
| Government | Mon-Fri 7:30-16:00 | Closed all public holidays |
Best & Worst Times to Visit
Best Times
- May - September: Dry winter; best safari viewing in Kruger; whales in Hermanus
- September - November: Spring; wildflowers in Namaqualand; warming up
- April - May: Autumn; warm weather, fewer crowds, beautiful colours in Winelands
Peak / Challenging Times
- December 15 - January 15: Peak domestic holiday; beaches packed; prices double
- Easter: School holiday; popular destinations very busy
- June-July school holidays: Busy at safari lodges and family destinations
Events Worth Visiting
| Event | When | Where | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town Carnival | March | Cape Town | Colourful street parade on Green Point Fan Walk |
| Franschhoek Cap Classique | December | Franschhoek | Sparkling wine festival in beautiful Winelands |
| Namaqualand Wildflowers | August-September | Northern Cape | Millions of wildflowers carpet the desert |
| Sardine Run | June-July | KZN coast | Billions of sardines migrate up the coast |
| Hermanus Whale Festival | September | Hermanus | Best land-based whale watching in the world |
Key Dates 2026
Freedom Day: 27 Apr
Youth Day: 16 Jun
Heritage Day: 24 Sep
Reconciliation: 16 Dec
Christmas: 25-26 Dec