South Africa Public Holidays 2025
South Africa observes 13 public holidays in 2025. The table below lists every nationwide holiday with its date and weekday. Regional holidays and non-official observances are marked separately.
2025 at a glance
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
All holidays in 2025
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Wednesday | New Year's Day | Public |
| Mar 21 | Friday | Human Rights Day | Public |
| Apr 18 | Friday | Good Friday | Public |
| Apr 20 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Observance |
| Apr 21 | Monday | Family Day | Public |
| Apr 27 | Sunday | Freedom Day | Public |
| Apr 28 | Monday | Public Holiday | Public |
| May 1 | Thursday | Workers' Day | Public |
| May 11 | Sunday | Mother's Day | Observance |
| Jun 15 | Sunday | Father's Day | Observance |
| Jun 16 | Monday | Youth Day | Public |
| Jul 18 | Friday | Nelson Mandela Day | Observance |
| Aug 9 | Saturday | National Women's Day | Public |
| Sep 24 | Wednesday | Heritage Day | Public |
| Dec 16 | Tuesday | Day of Reconciliation | Public |
| Dec 25 | Thursday | Christmas Day | Public |
| Dec 26 | Friday | Day of Goodwill | Public |
Data source: the open-source date-holidays dataset. Verify critical dates with official government sources. · Last updated: July 19, 2026
About public holidays in South Africa
Public holidays in South Africa are days when most schools, banks, government offices and many businesses are closed nationwide. Dates for religious and lunar-calendar holidays can shift from year to year, and governments occasionally move observed dates when a holiday falls on a weekend. Always confirm critical dates with an official source before booking travel or scheduling business.
Frequently asked questions
- How many public holidays does South Africa have in 2025?
- South Africa has 13 nationwide public holidays in 2025, plus additional observances and regional holidays.
- Are shops and banks closed on public holidays in South Africa?
- On nationwide public holidays most banks, government offices and schools in South Africa close. Shop opening hours vary by region and by holiday — major holidays usually mean reduced hours or full closure.
Other years
Holidays in other countries
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