Public holidays
Public holidays in South Africa, 2027
South Africa has 14 national public holidays in 2027, and 10 of them fall on working days, which leaves 251 working days in the year. The first is New Year's Day on January 1, and the last is Day of Goodwill (observed) on December 27.
How holidays work in South Africa
When a public holiday in South Africa lands on a Sunday, the Monday after it becomes a public holiday instead.
Every public holiday in South Africa in 2027
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Friday | New Year's Day |
| Mar 21 | Sunday | Human Rights Day |
| Mar 22 | Monday | Human Rights Day (observed) |
| Mar 26 | Friday | Good Friday |
| Mar 29 | Monday | Family Day |
| Apr 27 | Tuesday | Freedom Day |
| May 1 | Saturday | Workers' Day |
| Jun 16 | Wednesday | Youth Day |
| Aug 9 | Monday | National Women's Day |
| Sep 24 | Friday | Heritage Day |
| Dec 16 | Thursday | Day of Reconciliation |
| Dec 25 | Saturday | Christmas Day |
| Dec 26 | Sunday | Day of Goodwill |
| Dec 27 | Monday | Day of Goodwill (observed) |
That is more than 27 of the 61 countries we list, and fewer than 25. 4 days land on the weekend in 2027.
Working days in 2027, month by month
| Month | Working days | Holidays on a working day |
|---|---|---|
| January | 20 | 1 |
| February | 20 | – |
| March | 20 | 3 |
| April | 21 | 1 |
| May | 21 | – |
| June | 21 | 1 |
| July | 22 | – |
| August | 21 | 1 |
| September | 21 | 1 |
| October | 21 | – |
| November | 22 | – |
| December | 21 | 2 |
251 working days in the year. March has the most days off, with 3.
The best long weekends in 2027
- New Year's Day: Jan 1 to Jan 3, 3 days off without using any leave.
- Human Rights Day (observed): Mar 20 to Mar 22, 3 days off without using any leave.
- Good Friday: Mar 26 to Mar 29, 4 days off without using any leave.
- National Women's Day: Aug 7 to Aug 9, 3 days off without using any leave.
- Heritage Day: Sep 24 to Sep 26, 3 days off without using any leave.
- Day of Goodwill (observed): Dec 25 to Dec 27, 3 days off without using any leave.
- Freedom Day: Apr 24 to Apr 27, 4 days off for 1 day of leave (Apr 26).
- Day of Reconciliation: Dec 16 to Dec 19, 4 days off for 1 day of leave (Dec 17).
The longest run with no public holiday in South Africa is 82 days, from Sep 25 to Dec 15, so a few days of your own leave go furthest then.
Put them in your calendar
Download the South Africa 2027 calendar file, or follow the address in Cutline as an iCal calendar: https://gocutline.com/holidays/south-africa-2027.ics
About these dates
- Working days here are Monday to Friday, less the public holidays that fall on them.
- The dates come from the open-source holidays package. Check with your employer before you book.
Questions
How many public holidays does South Africa have in 2027?
South Africa has 14 national public holidays in 2027. 10 fall on working days.
How many working days are there in South Africa in 2027?
251, counting Saturday and Sunday as the weekend and taking off the national holidays.
What is the longest break in South Africa in 2027?
Good Friday: Mar 26 to Mar 29, 4 days off without using any leave.
Plan around them in Cutline
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