Covid-19 in South Africa: The National State of Disaster has been lifted as from 5 April 2022.

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

2023

New Year’s Day: Sunday 1 January 2023

'Official Holiday': Monday 2 January 2023

Human Rights Day: Tuesday 21 March 2023

Good Friday: Friday 7 April 2023

Family Day/Easter Monday: Monday 10 April 2023

Freedom Day: Thursday 27 April 2023

Workers Day: Monday 1 May 2023

Youth Day: Friday 16 June 2023

(Mandela Day: Tuesday 18 July 2023 - not an official public holiday though!)

Women's Day: Wednesday 9 August 2023

Heritage Day: Sunday 24 September 2023

'Official Holiday': Monday 25 September 2023

Day of Reconciliation: Saturday 16 December 2023

Christmas Day: Monday 25 December 2023

Day of Goodwill: Tuesday 26 December 2023


2024

New Year’s Day: Monday 1 January 2024

Human Rights Day: Thursday 21 March 2024

Good Friday: Friday 29 March 2024

Family Day: Monday 1 April 2024 (Easter Monday)

Freedom Day: Saturday 27 April 2024

Workers Day: Wednesday 1 May 2024

Youth Day: Sunday 16 June 2024 (also Fathers' Day)

'Official Holiday': Monday 17 June 2024

(Mandela Day: Thursday 18 July 2024 - not an official public holiday though!)

Woman’s Day: Friday 9 August 2024

Heritage Day: Tuesday 24 September 2024

Day of Reconciliation: Monday16 December 2024

Christmas Day: Wednesday 25 December 2024

Day of Goodwill: Thursday 26 December 2024


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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