SA gets only 10 weekday public holidays in 2027. Here are the dates
South Africa has 12 public holidays in 2027, but Workers' Day and Christmas fall on Saturdays, so most workers get 10 days off. Here are the dates and the best long weekends.
South Africans will get 10 weekday public holidays in 2027, one fewer than in 2026. Two of the 12 official holidays, Workers' Day and Christmas Day, fall on a Saturday next year, and there's no extra election day holiday like the one on 4 November 2026 (gov.za).
Why are there fewer days off in 2027?
The Public Holidays Act moves a holiday to Monday only when it falls on a Sunday. There's no such rule for Saturdays, so if you normally work Monday to Friday, a Saturday holiday simply doesn't give you a day off.
In 2027 that hits twice: 1 May (Workers' Day) and 25 December (Christmas Day) are both Saturdays. Two Sunday holidays, Human Rights Day on 21 March and the Day of Goodwill on 26 December, roll over to the Monday after.
What are the 2027 public holiday dates?
| Holiday | Date | Day | Day off for a Monday to Friday worker |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January | Friday | Yes |
| Human Rights Day | 21 March | Sunday | Monday 22 March |
| Good Friday | 26 March | Friday | Yes |
| Family Day | 29 March | Monday | Yes |
| Freedom Day | 27 April | Tuesday | Yes |
| Workers' Day | 1 May | Saturday | No |
| Youth Day | 16 June | Wednesday | Yes |
| National Women's Day | 9 August | Monday | Yes |
| Heritage Day | 24 September | Friday | Yes |
| Day of Reconciliation | 16 December | Thursday | Yes |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Saturday | No |
| Day of Goodwill | 26 December | Sunday | Monday 27 December |
Source: gov.za public holidays. The government lists 22 March as "Human Rights Day observed".
How does that compare with 2026?
This year two holidays were also lost to Saturdays (Human Rights Day on 21 March and the Day of Goodwill on 26 December), but the 4 November local government election day was declared an extra public holiday, taking 2026 to 11 weekdays off (gov.za). No election holiday is on the calendar for 2027.
Where are the long weekends in 2027?
Six holidays fall on a Monday or Friday, which gives three-day weekends:
- 1 to 3 January (New Year)
- 20 to 22 March (Human Rights Day)
- 26 to 29 March (Easter, four days)
- 7 to 9 August (Women's Day)
- 24 to 26 September (Heritage Day)
- 25 to 27 December (Christmas)
March is the best month to plan leave. Human Rights Day is observed on Monday 22 March and Good Friday is on 26 March, so taking 23, 24 and 25 March as leave gets you 10 days off in a row, from Saturday 20 March to Monday 29 March, for three days of leave.
Freedom Day on Tuesday 27 April and the Day of Reconciliation on Thursday 16 December each sit one day away from a weekend, so a single leave day on 26 April or 17 December turns them into four-day breaks.
Do I get paid if I work on a public holiday?
Under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, section 18, working on a public holiday is by agreement, and if you do work you must be paid at least double your normal daily wage, or your normal daily wage plus what you earn for the hours worked, whichever is more. Check your contract or ask the Department of Employment and Labour if you're unsure.
FAQ
How many public holidays does South Africa have in 2027?
There are 12 official public holidays, but only 10 fall on weekdays or roll over to a Monday, because Workers' Day (1 May) and Christmas Day (25 December) are on Saturdays.
Is 22 March 2027 a public holiday?
Yes. Human Rights Day falls on Sunday 21 March 2027, so under the Public Holidays Act the Monday after, 22 March, is a public holiday.
When is Easter 2027 in South Africa?
Good Friday is on 26 March 2027 and Family Day is on Monday 29 March 2027.
Is 27 December 2027 a public holiday?
Yes. The Day of Goodwill falls on Sunday 26 December 2027, so Monday 27 December is a public holiday.