South African Public Holidays

Need a break? Here are all the SA public holidays!

Are you wondering when is the best time to send your bicycle (or not)? Below are the general public holidays in South Africa. Or you can jump to the exact dates for a certain year:

• SA public holidays for 2023
• SA public holidays for 2024
• SA public holidays for 2025
• SA public holidays for 2026

List of all the South African public holidays

South Africa has several public holidays that are recognized and celebrated across the country. The major public holidays in South Africa include:

• New Year’s Day (1 January): Celebrated on the first day of the Gregorian calendar, marking the beginning of the new year.
• Human Rights Day (21 March): Commemorates the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, when police opened fire on a peaceful anti-passbook protest, killing 69 people.
• Good Friday (Date varies, usually in March or April): A Christian holiday that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
• Easter Monday (Date varies, usually in March or April): The day after Easter Sunday, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Freedom Day (27 April): Celebrates the first democratic elections held in 1994, marking the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era of freedom and equality.
• Workers’ Day (1 May): Honors the contributions of workers and the labor movement.
• Youth Day (16 June): Commemorates the Soweto Uprising of 1976, when thousands of students protested against the compulsory use of Afrikaans in schools.
• National Women’s Day (9 August): Honors the women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 to protest against the extension of pass laws to women.
• Heritage Day (24 September): Celebrates the diverse cultural heritage of South Africa. It is also known as Braai Day, as many people celebrate with traditional South African barbecues (braais).
• Day of Reconciliation (16 December): Originally known as the Day of the Vow, it was renamed to promote reconciliation and unity among South Africans.
• Christmas Day (25 December): Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Day of Goodwill (26 December): Also known as Boxing Day, it is a day for giving to those less fortunate.

Holidays notes*

Keep in mind that some holidays might be moved to the nearest Monday to create a long weekend, and additional holidays may be observed at the provincial or municipal level. It’s advisable to check with local sources for the most up-to-date information on public holidays in South Africa.

* The dates on which Good Friday and Easter Sunday fall are determined according to the ecclesiastical moon. That varies each year but they fall at some point between late March and late April.

**The Public Holidays Act (Act No 36 of 1994 [PDF]) determines whenever any public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following on it shall be a public holiday.

2023’s South African public holidays

• 1 January: New Year’s Day
• 2 January: Public holiday New Year’s Day observed **
• 21 March: Human Rights Day
• 7 April: Good Friday *
• 10 April: Family Day
• 27 April: Freedom Day
• 1 May: Workers’ Day
• 16 June: Youth Day
• 9 August: National Women’s Day
• 24 September: Heritage Day
• 25 September: Public holiday Heritage Day observed **
• 15 December: Springbok RWC holiday (Gazette 49776)
• 16 December: Day of Reconciliation
• 25 December: Christmas Day
• 26 December: Day of Goodwill

2024’s South African public holidays

• 1 January: New Year’s Day
• 21 March: Human Rights Day
• 29 March: Good Friday *
• 1 April: Family Day
• 27 April: Freedom Day
• 1 May: Workers’ Day
• 16 June: Youth Day
• 17 June: Public holiday Youth Day observed **
• 9 August: National Women’s Day
• 24 September: Heritage Day
• 16 December: Day of Reconciliation
• 25 December: Christmas Day
• 26 December: Day of Goodwill

2025’s South African public holidays

• 1 January: New Year’s Day
• 21 March: Human Rights Day
• 18 April: Good Friday *
• 21 April: Family Day
• 27 April: Freedom Day
• 28 April: Public holiday Freedom Day observed **
• 1 May: Workers’ Day
• 16 June: Youth Day
• 9 August: National Women’s Day
• 24 September: Heritage Day
• 16 December: Day of Reconciliation
• 25 December: Christmas Day
• 26 December: Day of Goodwill

2026’s South African public holidays

• 1 January: New Year’s Day
• 21 March: Human Rights Day
• 3 April: Good Friday *
• 6 April: Family Day
• 27 April: Freedom Day
• 1 May: Workers’ Day
• 16 June: Youth Day
• 9 August: National Women’s Day
• 10 August: Public holiday National Women’s Day observed **
• 24 September: Heritage Day
• 16 December: Day of Reconciliation
• 25 December: Christmas Day
• 26 December: Day of Goodwill

There you have it. Now go and have some two-wheeled fun. Wherever you are going, we’ll send your bicycle there!