Public holidays

Holidays & Celebrations

South African public holidays in 2024 and 2025

Jot down these South African public holidays in your 2024 and 2025 calendar to make sure you are in time to organize your family braai.

Family and friends standing in the back yard with drinks. Everyone is looking cheerful.
writer

Updated 14-10-2024

Wherever you’re living in South Africa, it’s crucial to note the country’s holidays. This is because many public institutions and companies are closed on these days.

Here’s an overview of South Africa’s most important national public holidays:

South African public holidays: an overview

Public holidays in South Africa are generally referred to as bank holidays. There are 12 annual South African bank holidays as determined by the Public Holidays Act. When holidays in South Africa fall on a Sunday, the following Monday is typically given as a public holiday.

Annual Balekela Umbala (Color Run) with the backs of runners splashed with colors
Photo: Nqobile Vundla/Unsplash

Here is a list of public holidays in South Africa in 2024 and 2025, as well as other important South African holidays.

South African public holidays during 2024

DatePublic holiday
1 January (Monday)New Year’s Day
21 March (Thursday)Human Rights Day
29 March (Friday)Good Friday
1 April (Monday)Family Day
27 April (Saturday)Freedom Day
1 May (Wednesday)Workers’ Day
29 May (Wednesday)Public holiday (General Elections)
17 June (Sunday)Youth Day holiday
9 August (Friday)National Women’s Day
24 September (Tuesday)Heritage Day
16 December (Monday)Day of Reconciliation
25 December (Wednesday)Christmas Day
26 December (Thursday)Day of Goodwill

Important dates in South Africa during 2024

DateImportant dates
9 May (Thursday)Ascension Day
12 May (Sunday)Mother’s Day
19 May (Sunday)Pentecost
16 June (Sunday)Father’s Day
18 July (Thursday)Nelson Mandela Day – events run throughout July
1 November (Friday)All Saints’ Day
31 December (Tuesday)New Year’s Eve
Three young women sharing a drink outside during sunrise
Photo: Sincerely Media/Unsplash+

South African public holidays during 2025

DatePublic holiday
1 January (Wednesday)New Year’s Day
21 March (Friday)Human Rights Day
18 April (Friday)Good Friday
21 April (Monday)Family Day
27 April (Sunday)Freedom Day
1 May (Thursday)Workers’ Day
7 May (Wednesday)Public holiday (General Elections)
16 June (Monday)Youth Day holiday
9 August (Saturday)National Women’s Day
24 September (Wednesday)Heritage Day
16 December (Tuesday)Day of Reconciliation
25 December (Thursday)Christmas Day
26 December (Friday)Day of Goodwill

Important dates in South Africa during 2025

DateImportant dates
29 May (Thursday)Ascension Day
11 May (Sunday)Mother’s Day
8 June (Sunday)Pentecost
15 June (Sunday)Father’s Day
18 July (Friday)Nelson Mandela Day – events run throughout July
1 November (Saturday)All Saints’ Day
31 December (Wednesday)New Year’s Eve

Keep in mind that there are no daylight saving time changes in South Africa. Unlike other countries, the clock remains the same throughout the year.

South African school holidays

Wondering when your children will have time off school so you can plan a holiday with them? Read more about school holidays in South Africa.

Author

Stephen Maunder

About the author

An award-winning writer and editor, Stephen has been writing for Expatica since 2016, covering a range of financial topics across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Over a decade in journalism, he’s worked for breaking news broadcasters, industry publications, and national magazines.