Last reviewed: August 26, 2026 · Holiday data: May 19, 2026
South Africa observes 12 public holidays in 2026. 10 fall on a weekday and 2 land on a weekend, leaving 251 working days across the year on the national-only count.
2026 public holidays calendar
Date
Day
Holiday
Notes
Jan 1
Thursday
New Year's Day
New Year's Day on Thursday January 1 is a strong bridge-day candidate; many employers grant the Friday as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
Mar 21
Saturday (weekend)
Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day on a Saturday (March 21) is absorbed into the weekend; the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 only shifts Sunday-falling holidays.
Apr 3
Friday
Good Friday
Good Friday on Friday April 3 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 6
Monday
Family Day
Family Day on Monday April 6 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Apr 27
Monday
Freedom Day
Freedom Day on Monday April 27 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
May 1
Friday
Workers' Day
Workers' Day on Friday May 1 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Jun 16
Tuesday
Youth Day
Youth Day on Tuesday June 16 is a bridge-day candidate; the Monday is sometimes granted as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
Aug 10
Monday
National Women's Day (observed)
National Women's Day (observed) on Monday August 10 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately preceding Saturday and Sunday.
Sep 24
Thursday
Heritage Day
Heritage Day on Thursday September 24 is a strong bridge-day candidate; many employers grant the Friday as discretionary leave to produce a four-day weekend.
Dec 16
Wednesday
Day of Reconciliation
Day of Reconciliation on Wednesday December 16 breaks the working week without an obvious adjacent-weekend bridge opportunity.
Dec 25
Friday
Christmas Day
Christmas Day on Friday December 25 produces a three-day weekend with the immediately following Saturday and Sunday.
Dec 26
Saturday (weekend)
Day of Goodwill
Day of Goodwill on a Saturday (December 26) is absorbed into the weekend; the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994 only shifts Sunday-falling holidays.
2026 year summary
Total days
365
Weekend days
104
Public holidays on weekdays
10
Working days
251
The 2 weekend-falling public holidays in 2026 are absorbed into the regular Saturday and Sunday count, so the working-day reduction comes only from the 10 weekday-falling entries. South Africa observes 12 public holidays under the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed under section 2 of the Act; Saturday-falling holidays are absorbed into the weekend without an in-lieu Monday.
Holidays not included
Religious observances such as Reformation Day, the Day of the Vow (pre-1994 December 16 name now replaced by Day of Reconciliation), and minor church-tradition days are not in this set. The Public Service Act and Basic Conditions of Employment Act apply only to the 12 statutory holidays. School holidays vary by province and term schedule and are excluded. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) follows the same observance schedule as the SARB.
How many public holidays does South Africa have in 2026?
South Africa observes 12 public holidays in 2026. Of those, 10 fall on a weekday and 2 land on a weekend. The complete list with dates and weekday placements is in the calendar table above.
How many working days does South Africa have in 2026?
South Africa has 251 working days in 2026 on the national-only count, after subtracting 104 weekend days and 10 weekday-falling public holidays. Regional or industry-specific holidays may further reduce the count for narrower contract definitions.
Which 2026 public holiday dates fall on a weekday?
10 of South Africa's 12 public holidays in 2026 fall on a weekday and reduce the working days count: New Year's Day (Thursday, January 1); Good Friday (Friday, April 3); Family Day (Monday, April 6); Freedom Day (Monday, April 27); Workers' Day (Friday, May 1); Youth Day (Tuesday, June 16); National Women's Day (observed) (Monday, August 10); Heritage Day (Thursday, September 24); Day of Reconciliation (Wednesday, December 16); Christmas Day (Friday, December 25).
Which 2026 holidays fall on a weekend and how are they handled?
2 public holidays in 2026 fall on a weekend: Human Rights Day on Saturday, March 21; Day of Goodwill on Saturday, December 26. Sunday-falling South African holidays trigger an in-lieu Monday under section 2 of the Public Holidays Act 36 of 1994; Saturday-falling holidays are absorbed into the weekend without an in-lieu Monday.