Here are all 12 nationwide public holidays in South Africa for 2027, with dates, local names and the next one coming up. Use them to plan around bank closures, transport changes and long weekends.
All 2027 holidays
2027 calendar & bridge days
Every public holiday is marked below. If you work in this country, turn on bridge days: a single workday booked off next to a holiday turns it and the weekend into a long break.
Best bridge days
- 4days off24 Sat – Tue, Apr 27Take Mon, Apr 26 offfor 1 day of leave
- 4days off16 Thu – Sun, Dec 19Take Fri, Dec 17 offfor 1 day of leave
- 5days off12 Sat – Wed, Jun 16Take 14 Mon – Tue, Jun 15 offfor 2 days of leave
- 5days off16 Wed – Sun, Jun 20Take 17 Thu – Fri, Jun 18 offfor 2 days of leave
When a public holiday lands midweek, many people “bridge” the gap to the weekend — expect quieter cities and busier roads around the long weekend.
Public holiday FAQ
South Africa has 12 nationwide public holidays in 2027. Some regions add their own local holidays on top, so the total where you're travelling can be higher.
On nationwide public holidays most banks, post offices, government offices and many shops in South Africa are closed. Supermarkets and attractions in tourist areas often keep limited hours — check ahead for the specific date.
National holidays are observed across all of South Africa, while regional holidays apply only in certain states, provinces or cities. This page marks which holidays are regional and where they apply.
Fixed-date holidays fall on the same day each year, but moveable ones tied to Easter or the lunar calendar shift annually. Switch the year above to see the exact South Africa dates for 2027 and nearby years.
We'll flag closures and long weekends that overlap your trip dates.