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African Guides · Public holidays 2026

Holidays in South Africa

Every public, bank and school holiday in South Africa for 2026 and 2027, with long weekends and festival days marked.

Places to stay in South Africa10 festivals

Next public holiday

Day of ReconciliationIn 50 days

South Africa has 17 holidays in 2026: 13 public, 4 observance.

13public and bank holidays in 2026
1long weekends left in 2026
10festivals in our guide
Calendar

Year at a glance

Tap a highlighted day to jump to it in the list.

20262027
All17Public13Observance4
January
1
February
5678
March
21
April
23456111227282930
May
12310
June
1621
July
418
August
910
September
24
October
November
December
162526
Public or bank holidayObservance, school or optionalFestival daysToday

January 2026

  1. New Year's Day
    Public
    Passed

March 2026

  1. Human Rights Day
    Public
    Passed

April 2026

  1. Good Friday
    Public
    Passed
  2. Easter Sunday
    Observance
    Passed
  3. Family Day
    Public
    Passed
  4. Freedom Day
    Public
    Passed

May 2026

  1. Workers' Day
    Public
    Passed
  2. Mother's Day
    Observance
    Passed

June 2026

  1. Youth Day
    Public
    Passed
  2. Father's Day
    Observance
    Passed

July 2026

  1. Nelson Mandela Day
    Observance
    Passed

August 2026

  1. National Women's Day
    Public
    Passed
  2. Public Holiday
    Public
    Passed

September 2026

  1. Heritage Day
    Public
    Passed

December 2026

  1. Day of Reconciliation
    Public
    Next · In 50 days
  2. Christmas Day
    PublicLong weekend
    In 59 days
  3. Day of Goodwill
    PublicFalls on a weekend
    In 60 days
Festivals

Festivals in South Africa

Filter all festivals
Up The Creek Festival, South Africa
In 4 monthsMusic Festival
FebThu

Up The Creek Festival

11–14 Feb 2027ZASouth Africa
Cape Town Cycle Tour, South Africa
In 5 monthsSports Festival
MarSun

Cape Town Cycle Tour

14 Mar 2027ZASouth Africa
Splashy Fen, South Africa
In 5 monthsMusic Festival
MarThu

Splashy Fen

25–29 Mar 2027ZASouth Africa
The Two Oceans Marathon, South Africa
In 5 monthsSports Festival
AprSat

The Two Oceans Marathon

3–4 Apr 2027ZASouth Africa
AfrikaBurn Festival, South Africa
In 6 monthsTraditional Festival
AprMon

AfrikaBurn Festival

26 Apr – 2 May 2027ZASouth Africa
Durban July, South Africa
In 8 monthsSports Festival
JulSat

Durban July

3 Jul 2027ZASouth Africa
ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, South Africa
In 11 monthsSports Festival
OctSat

ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027

2 Oct – 21 Nov 2027ZASouth Africa
FNB Art Joburg, South Africa
Dates TBAArts Festival
DatesTBA 

FNB Art Joburg

Dates to be announcedZASouth Africa
Hermanus Whale Festival, South Africa
Dates TBATraditional Festival
DatesTBA 

Hermanus Whale Festival

Dates to be announcedZASouth Africa
Minstrel Carnival, South Africa
Dates TBACarnival
DatesTBA 

Minstrel Carnival

Dates to be announcedZASouth Africa
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