Best days to take off in South Africa in 2026

Public holidays in South Africa in 2026

3 of these fall on a weekend in 2026.

Long weekends in South Africa in 2026

• Fri 3 Apr to Mon 6 Apr, 4 days: Good Friday, Family Day
• Sat 25 Apr to Mon 27 Apr, 3 days: Freedom Day
• Fri 1 May to Sun 3 May, 3 days: Workers' Day
• Sat 8 Aug to Mon 10 Aug, 3 days: National Women's Day, Public Holiday
• Fri 25 Dec to Sun 27 Dec, 3 days: Christmas Day, Day of Goodwill

Best bridge days to book in 2026

A bridge day is a working day between a public holiday and a weekend. Booking it joins them into one long break.

1. Book Fri 2 Jan (1 day) for 4 days off, Thu 1 Jan to Sun 4 Jan, around New Year's Day.
2. Book Thu 2 Apr (1 day) for 5 days off, Thu 2 Apr to Mon 6 Apr, around Good Friday, Family Day.
3. Book Fri 24 Apr (1 day) for 4 days off, Fri 24 Apr to Mon 27 Apr, around Freedom Day.
4. Book Thu 30 Apr (1 day) for 4 days off, Thu 30 Apr to Sun 3 May, around Workers' Day.
5. Book Mon 15 Jun (1 day) for 4 days off, Sat 13 Jun to Tue 16 Jun, around Youth Day.
6. Book Fri 7 Aug (1 day) for 4 days off, Fri 7 Aug to Mon 10 Aug, around Public Holiday.
7. Book Fri 25 Sep (1 day) for 4 days off, Thu 24 Sep to Sun 27 Sep, around Heritage Day.
8. Book Thu 24 Dec (1 day) for 4 days off, Thu 24 Dec to Sun 27 Dec, around Christmas Day.

How many days off can you get in 2026?

A plan for 20 days of leave in 2026

20 days of leave become 52 days off, in 8 breaks of at least five days.

1. Thu 1 Jan to Mon 5 Jan: 5 days off for 2 booked (Fri 2 Jan, Mon 5 Jan)
2. Thu 2 Apr to Mon 6 Apr: 5 days off for 1 booked (Thu 2 Apr)
3. Sat 25 Apr to Sun 3 May: 9 days off for 3 booked (Tue 28 Apr, Wed 29 Apr, Thu 30 Apr)
4. Fri 12 Jun to Tue 16 Jun: 5 days off for 2 booked (Fri 12 Jun, Mon 15 Jun)
5. Thu 6 Aug to Mon 10 Aug: 5 days off for 2 booked (Thu 6 Aug, Fri 7 Aug)
6. Sat 19 Sep to Sun 27 Sep: 9 days off for 4 booked (Mon 21 Sep, Tue 22 Sep, Wed 23 Sep, Fri 25 Sep)
7. Sat 12 Dec to Wed 16 Dec: 5 days off for 2 booked (Mon 14 Dec, Tue 15 Dec)
8. Sat 19 Dec to Sun 27 Dec: 9 days off for 4 booked (Mon 21 Dec, Tue 22 Dec, Wed 23 Dec, Thu 24 Dec)

Open this plan and change it

Questions about 2026 in South Africa

How many public holidays does South Africa have in 2026?

South Africa has 13 public holidays in 2026, and 3 of them fall on a weekend.

When are the long weekends in South Africa in 2026?

Without booking any leave: Fri 3 Apr to Mon 6 Apr (Good Friday, Family Day), Sat 25 Apr to Mon 27 Apr (Freedom Day), Fri 1 May to Sun 3 May (Workers' Day), Sat 8 Aug to Mon 10 Aug (National Women's Day, Public Holiday) and Fri 25 Dec to Sun 27 Dec (Christmas Day, Day of Goodwill).

What are the best days to take off in South Africa in 2026?

Book Thu 2 Apr to get 5 days off, from Thu 2 Apr to Mon 6 Apr. With 20 days of leave, the best plan gives 52 days off across 8 breaks.