Complete List of Holidays in South Africa 2026

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Explore the complete guide to South Africa’s 2026 public holidays. This post covers all 12 official holidays and key observances—from New Year’s Day and Freedom Day to Heritage Day and Christmas

List of Holidays in South Africa 2026

HolidayDateDay
New Year’s DayJanuary 1, 2026Thursday
Human Rights DayMarch 21, 2026Saturday
Good FridayApril 3, 2026Friday
Family DayApril 6, 2026Monday
Freedom DayApril 27, 2026Monday
Workers’ DayMay 1, 2026Friday
Youth DayJune 16, 2026Tuesday
National Women’s DayAugust 9, 2026Sunday
National Women’s Day (Observed)August 10, 2026Monday
Heritage DaySeptember 24, 2026Thursday
Day of ReconciliationDecember 16, 2026Wednesday
Christmas DayDecember 25, 2026Friday
Day of GoodwillDecember 26, 2026Saturday

Note: In 2026, South Africans will receive 10 weekday holidays off work instead of 12, as Human Rights Day (March 21) and Day of Goodwill (December 26) both fall on Saturdays.

Other Important Holidays

Cultural and National Observances

HolidayDateDay
Tweede Nuwe JaarJanuary 2, 2026Friday
Valentine’s DayFebruary 14, 2026Saturday
Armed Forces DayFebruary 21, 2026Saturday
Mother’s DayMay 10, 2026Sunday
Father’s DayJune 21, 2026Sunday
Nelson Mandela DayJuly 18, 2026Saturday
Christmas EveDecember 24, 2026Thursday
New Year’s EveDecember 31, 2026Thursday

Islamic Holidays

HolidayDateDay
Isra and Mi’rajJanuary 16, 2026Friday
Ramadan StartFebruary 18, 2026Wednesday
Lailat al-QadrMarch 15, 2026Sunday
Eid ul-FitrMarch 20, 2026Friday
Eid al-AdhaMay 27, 2026Wednesday
Muharram/Islamic New YearJune 17, 2026Wednesday
Milad un Nabi (Mawlid)August 26, 2026Wednesday

Hindu Holidays

HolidayDateDay
Maha ShivaratriFebruary 15, 2026Sunday
HoliMarch 3, 2026Tuesday
Raksha BandhanAugust 27, 2026Thursday
JanmashtamiSeptember 4, 2026Friday
Ganesh ChaturthiSeptember 14, 2026Monday
NavaratriOctober 11, 2026Sunday
DussehraOctober 20, 2026Tuesday
Diwali/DeepavaliNovember 8, 2026Sunday

Seasonal Events

EventDateDay
March EquinoxMarch 20, 2026Friday
June SolsticeJune 21, 2026Sunday
September EquinoxSeptember 23, 2026Wednesday
December SolsticeDecember 21, 2026Monday

Christian Observances

HolidayDateDay
Holy SaturdayApril 4, 2026Saturday
Easter SundayApril 5, 2026Sunday

Also see:

List of Holidays in Kenya 2026

Holidays in Australia 2026

Federal Holidays in 2026

Holidays in New Zealand 2026

Holidays in United Kingdom 2026

Holidays in Albania 2026

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