Public Holidays in South Africa

On public holidays most offices are closed in South Africa. However, you will find that most shops and supermarkets are open especially in the bigger shopping centres. Malls also in smaller towns, are generally open on the official holidays, but might have shorter opening hours, please double check with the shopping centre.

If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, then the South African schools, government departments and general offices (banks, insurance, post office etc.) and smaller shops will be closed on the following Monday. These 'extra' days are highlighted in red below.

Public Holidays

2019

New Year’s Day: Tuesday 1 January 2019

Human Rights Day: Thursday 21 March 2019

Good Friday: Friday 19 April 2019

Family Day/Easter Monday: Monday 22 April 2019

Freedom Day: Saturday 27 April 2019

Workers Day: Wednesday 1 May 2019

Youth Day: Sunday 16 June 2019

'Official Holiday': Monday 17 June 2019

Women's Day: Friday 9 August 2019

Heritage Day: Tuesday 24 September 2019

Day of Reconciliation: Monday 16 December 2019

Christmas Day: Wednesday 25 December 2019

Day of Goodwill: Thursday 26 December 2019

2020

New Year’s Day: Wednesday 1 January 2020

Human Rights Day: Saturday 21 March 2020

Good Friday: Friday 10 April 2020

Family Day: Monday 13 April 2020 (Easter Monday)

Freedom Day: Monday 27 April 2020

Workers Day: Friday 1 May 2020

Youth Day: Tuesday 16 June 2020

Woman’s Day: Sunday 9 August 2020

'Official Holiday': Monday 10 August 2020

Heritage Day: Thursday 24 September 2020

Day of Reconciliation: Wednesday 16 December 2020

Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 2020

Day of Goodwill: Saturday 26 December 2020


Holidays Seasons in South Africa

If you want to know how Cape Town celebrates the Christmas season, then please read on my page on Christmas in Cape Town with lots of useful tips about shopping hours and much more. 

Also be sure to know when there are school holidays in South Africa, so you do not get stuck with high season prices, if you can avoid it:-) More info on South African schools, holidays and school terms


Other useful info? Cape Town events and festivals info

Make sure to visit one of the many exciting festivals when visiting or staying in South Africa. Read more on my special pages about: Festivals in South Africa - Cape Wine Festivals - Cape Town Events Calendar

Events Calendar

Popular Wine Festivals

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