South Africa Public Holidays 2027

Public holidays in South Africa, with the official days off.

202620272028
Checked against the official list. We compared every date with South African Government: Public holidays.
12public holidays
10fall on a weekday
7long weekends (Mon or Fri)
251working days in 2027

Public holidays in 2027

New Year's Day
Jan 1Friday
In 68 daysCountdown
Human Rights DayFalls on a weekend
Mar 21Sunday
In 147 days
Human Rights Day (observed)Day off in lieu
Mar 22Monday
In 148 days
Good Friday
Mar 26Friday
In 152 daysCountdown
Family Day
Mar 29Monday
In 155 days
Freedom Day
Apr 27Tuesday
In 184 daysCountdown
Workers' DayFalls on a weekend
May 1Saturday
In 188 days
Youth Day
Jun 16Wednesday
In 234 days
National Women's Day
Aug 9Monday
In 288 days
Heritage Day
Sep 24Friday
In 334 daysCountdown
Day of Reconciliation
Dec 16Thursday
In 417 days
Christmas DayFalls on a weekend
Dec 25Saturday
In 426 daysCountdown
Day of GoodwillFalls on a weekend
Dec 26Sunday
In 427 daysCountdown
Day of Goodwill (observed)Day off in lieu
Dec 27Monday
In 428 daysCountdown

Working days in 2027

MonthWeekdaysHolidaysWorking days
January21120
February20020
March23320
April22121
May21021
June22121
July22022
August22121
September22121
October21021
November22022
December23221
Total26110251

Where these dates come from

Official source: South African Government: Public holidays

Weekend rule: Under the Public Holidays Act, when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a public holiday.

Note: Under the Public Holidays Act, when a public holiday falls on a Sunday the following Monday is a holiday.

Last checked: October 23, 2026 (official lists for 2026 and 2027)

Employers can give extra days off, and some workers are covered by different rules. If a date matters for pay or a legal deadline, confirm it with your employer or the official source.

Count business days with these holidays

Public holidays in other countries

United Statesfederal holidaysCanada14 regionsUnited Kingdom3 regionsIrelandpublic holidaysAustralia8 regionsNew Zealand13 regionsSingaporepublic holidaysIndiacentral government holidaysPhilippinespublic holidaysNigeriapublic holidaysKenyapublic holidaysJamaicapublic holidays

Frequently asked questions

What is the next public holiday?
New Year's Day on Friday, January 1, 2027.
How many public holidays are there in South Africa in 2027?
There are 12 public holidays: New Year's Day, Human Rights Day, Good Friday, Family Day, Freedom Day, Workers' Day, Youth Day, National Women's Day, Heritage Day, Day of Reconciliation, Christmas Day, Day of Goodwill. 10 of the days off fall on a weekday in 2027.
What happens when a holiday falls on a weekend?
Under the Public Holidays Act, when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a public holiday.
How many working days are there in 2027?
251 working days: 261 weekdays (Monday to Friday) minus 10 public holidays that fall on a weekday.