South Africa Public Holidays 2026
January
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is celebrated with a blend of both diversity and tradition in countries such as South Africa on January 1 each year.
Tweede Nuwe Jaar
Tweede Nuwe Jaar is an observance in South Africa
Day off for New Year's Day
New Year's Day is celebrated with a blend of both diversity and tradition in countries such as South Africa on January 1 each year.
Isra and Mi'raj
Isra and Mi'raj (Isra Me'raj, Israa and Mi'raaj, Laylat Al-Isra wa Al-Miraj, Lailat al Miraj, Night Journey and Ascension to Heaven) marks the night that the Prophet Mohammad traveled from Mecca to Jerusalem, ascended to heaven and returned.
February
March
Lailat al-Qadr
Laylat al-Qadr commmemorates the time when Mohammad received the first verses of the Koran (Qu'ran).
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivratri is an annual festival dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu God of destruction. For devotees, is a day of reflection and meditation.
Eid ul Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is a holiday to mark the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast during the hours of daylight.
Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day is a public holiday in South Africa
Holi
Holi is a spring festival of colors celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and others. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the upcoming season of spring. The festival can last up to sixteen days.
Day off for Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day is a public holiday in South Africa
Good Friday
Good Friday is a global Christian observance two days before Easter Sunday.
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is the day before Easter Sunday.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's resurrection, according to Christian belief.
Family Day
Family Day is a public holiday in South Africa
April
May
Workers' Day
Labor Day, International Workers' Day, and May Day, is a day off for workers in many countries around the world.
Day off for Workers' Day
Labor Day, International Workers' Day, and May Day, is a day off for workers in many countries around the world.
Mother's Day
Mother's Day celebrates the achievements and efforts of mothers and mother figures.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha (Id ul-Adha) is an Islamic festival falling on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja (Thou al-Hijja) to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son.
Election Day
Election Day is a public holiday in South Africa
June
Muharram/Islamic New Year
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and a time of remembrance or mourning.
Youth Day
Youth Day is a public holiday in South Africa
Muharram
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and a time of remembrance or mourning.
Day off for Youth Day
Youth Day is a public holiday in South Africa
Father's Day
Father's Day celebrates fatherhood and male parenting on different dates worldwide.
August
National Women's Day
National Women's Day is a public holiday in South Africa
Day off for National Women's Day
National Women's Day is a public holiday in South Africa
Milad un Nabi (Mawlid)
Mawlid, or Milad, marks the birth of the Islamic prophet Muhammed, or Mohamed, in the year 570 of the Gregorian calendar.
Milad un Nabi
Mawlid, or Milad, marks the birth of the Islamic prophet Muhammed, or Mohamed, in the year 570 of the Gregorian calendar.
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival that is celebrated on the full moon of the Hindu month of Shravana (Shravan Poornima). The day is also sometimes referred to as Brother and Sister Day because it honors the relationship between brother and sister.
September
Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of the god Vishnu. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrava (Bhadrapada), which is usually in August or September.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is the great Ganesha festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesha during the Hindu Month of Bhadra, which usually falls between mid-August and mid-September. It is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and can last up to 10 days.
Heritage Day
Heritage Day is a public holiday in South Africa
Day off for Heritage Day
Heritage Day is a public holiday in South Africa
October
November
December
Rugby World Cup Win Public Holiday
Rugby World Cup Win Public Holiday is a public holiday in South Africa
Day of Reconciliation
Day of Reconciliation is a public holiday in South Africa
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is the day before Christmas Day and falls on December 24 in the Gregorian calendar.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is one of the biggest Christian celebrations and falls on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar.
Day of Goodwill
Day of Goodwill is a public holiday in South Africa
Day of Goodwill Observed
Day of Goodwill is a public holiday in South Africa
Public Holiday
Public Holiday is a public holiday in South Africa
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is the last day of the year, December 31, in the Gregorian calendar.