School holidays in South Africa in 2025 and 2026

Parents in South Africa will need to know when the local school holidays are. Luckily, all schools have the same holiday dates, and they all close on national public holidays, which makes school holiday planning a bit easier in all regions.

Here’s what you need to know:

An overview of school holidays in South Africa

The South African school year runs from January to December. There are four school holidays:

• Two-week break in Autumn
• Three-week holidays in Winter
• One-week break in Spring
• Five/six-week holiday in Summer

Schools also close on public holidays. There are also additional days off every school year. Altogether, there are over 200 days in the South African academic year.

Privately-run international schools in South Africa may have slightly different holiday dates from state schools, so it is advisable to check the annual calendar with your child’s school if they are privately educated.

When are South Africa’s school holidays in 2025?

Check with your school in case of variations.

Holiday	Dates
First day of school	15 January 2025
Term 1 break	29 March – 7 April 2025
Special School holidays	29–30 April 2025
Special School holidays	2 May 2025
Term 2 break	28 June – 21 July 2025
Term 3 break	4 – 12 October 2025
Term 4 break	13 December 2025 – 13 January 2026

Schools may also close for reasons such as teacher training or pupil book days. These will vary between institutions; however, it’s important to check with your child’s school so that you know in advance when these will be.

Other important dates in 2025

The additional holiday dates for the 2025 school year are:

Holiday	Dates	Weekdays
Human Rights Day	21 March 2025	Fri
Easter holiday	18–21 April 2025	Fri–Mon
Freedom Day observance	28 April 2025	Mon
Workers’ Day	1 May 2025	Thu
Youth Day	16 June 2025	Mon
Heritage Day	24 September 2025	Wed

The annual public holidays are extra school holidays in South Africa. If a vacation falls on a Sunday, schools usually close on Monday. Sometimes, schools will also close if a public holiday falls on a Tuesday to make a long weekend.

When are South Africa’s school holidays in 2026?

Check with your school in case of variations.

Holiday	Dates
First day of school	14 January 2026
Term 1 break	28 March – 7 April 2026
Special School holidays	15 June 2026
Term 2 break	27 June – 20 July 2026
Term 3 break	24 September – 5 October 2026
Term 4 break	12 December 2026 – 12 January 2027

Other important dates in 2026

The additional holiday dates for the 2026 school year are:

Holiday	Dates	Weekdays
Easter holiday	3–6 April 2026	Fri–Mon
Freedom Day	27 April 2026	Mon
Workers’ Day	1 May 2026	Fri
Youth Day	16 June 2026	Tue
National Women’s Day observance	10 August 2026	Mon

When are South Africa’s public holidays?

Some important public holidays and celebrations fall during school terms, such as Workers’ Day and Youth Day. You can learn more about these holidays (and dates) by reading our article on public holidays in South Africa.

Tips for expat parents in South Africa

Childcare during South African school holidays

Your children’s school holidays may clash with your work schedule. Fortunately, you can access a range of childcare options in South Africa, including:

• Daycare centers
• Kindergartens
• Au pairs/nannies
• Childminders
• Babysitters

To find out what options are available in your area, ask your child’s school or check with the local municipality what they have on offer.

Fun summer camps in South Africa

There are a number of vacation camps in South Africa, including language schools, sports camps, and adventure camps that are popular with expat children. You can search for local holiday programs online, for example, on sites such as Rainbow Kids or Active Activities.