South Africa records 13 holidays in 2026. 13 are nationwide public holidays and 0 apply only in certain regions. Human Rights Day (21 Mar 2026) and St. Stephen's Day (26 Dec 2026) fall on a weekend in 2026, so they hand back no extra day off. New Year's Day (1 Jan 2026), Youth Day (16 Jun 2026) and Heritage Day (24 Sep 2026) sit on a Tuesday or Thursday: book the Mondays and Fridays and each becomes a four-day break. The busiest month is Apr, with 3 of them. The longest run without one is 79 days, between 1 Jan 2026 and 21 Mar 2026. The next is Election Day on 4 Nov 2026.
New Year's Day
Nationwide
Human Rights Day
Nationwide
Good Friday
Nationwide
Family Day
Nationwide
Freedom Day
Nationwide
Workers' Day
Nationwide
Youth Day
Nationwide
National Women's Day
Nationwide
Heritage Day
Nationwide
Election Day
Nationwide
Day of Reconciliation
Nationwide
Christmas Day
Nationwide
St. Stephen's Day
Day of Goodwill · Nationwide
● Public most things closed · ● Bank banks only · ● Regional some areas · ● School term dates
Planning leave? See working days in South Africa for 2026.