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South Africa Holidays 2025

Complete list of public holidays and observances

41 holidaysUpdated: 11/13/2025

About These Holidays

This list includes national holidays, public holidays, and observances for South Africa in 2025. Some holidays may be regional or observed only in specific locations.

Filter by Type:
DateHolidayType
January
Wed
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
New Year's Day
New Year’s Day is celebrated with a blend of both diversity and tradition in countries such as South Africa on January 1 each year.
Public Holiday
Thu
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Tweede Nuwe Jaar
Tweede Nuwe Jaar is a observance in South Africa
Observance
Mon
Monday, January 27, 2025
Isra and Mi'raj
Isra and Mi'raj (Isra Me'raj, Israa and Mi'raaj, Laylat Al-Isra wa Al-Miraj, Lailat al Miraj, Night Journey and Ascension to Heaven) marks the night that the Prophet Mohammad traveled from Mecca to Jerusalem, ascended to heaven and returned.
Muslim
February
Fri
Friday, February 21, 2025
Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day is a observance in South Africa
Observance
Wed
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivratri is an annual festival dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu God of destruction. For devotees, is a day of reflection and meditation.
Hindu Holiday
March
Sun
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Ramadan Start
Ramadan is a period of prayer, reflection and fasting for many Muslims worldwide. It is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.
Muslim
Fri
Friday, March 14, 2025
Holi
Holi is a spring festival of colors celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and others. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the upcoming season of spring. The festival can last up to sixteen days.
Hindu Holiday
Thu
Thursday, March 20, 2025
March Equinox
March Equinox in South Africa (Johannesburg)
Season
Fri
Friday, March 21, 2025
Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day is a public holiday in South Africa
Public Holiday
Wed
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Lailat al-Qadr
Laylat al-Qadr commmemorates the time when Mohammad received the first verses of the Koran (Qu'ran).
Muslim
Mon
Monday, March 31, 2025
Eid ul Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is a holiday to mark the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast during the hours of daylight.
Muslim
April
Fri
Friday, April 18, 2025
Good Friday
Good Friday is a global Christian observance two days before Easter Sunday.
Public Holiday
Sat
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is the day before Easter Sunday.
Christian
Sun
Sunday, April 20, 2025
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ’s resurrection, according to Christian belief.
Christian
Mon
Monday, April 21, 2025
Family Day
Family Day is a public holiday in South Africa
Public Holiday
Sun
Sunday, April 27, 2025
Freedom Day
Freedom Day is a public holiday in South Africa
Public Holiday
Mon
Monday, April 28, 2025
Freedom Day observed
Freedom Day is a public holiday in South Africa
Public Holiday
May
Thu
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Workers' Day
Labor Day, International Workers' Day, and May Day, is a day off for workers in many countries around the world.
Public Holiday
Sun
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Mother's Day
Mother’s Day celebrates the achievements and efforts of mothers and mother figures.
Observance
June
Sat
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha (Id ul-Adha) is an Islamic festival falling on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja (Thou al-Hijja) to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son.
Muslim
Sun
Sunday, June 15, 2025
Father's Day
Father’s Day celebrates fatherhood and male parenting on different dates worldwide.
Observance
Mon
Monday, June 16, 2025
Youth Day
Youth Day is a public holiday in South Africa
Public Holiday
Sat
Saturday, June 21, 2025
June Solstice
June Solstice in South Africa (Johannesburg)
Season
Fri
Friday, June 27, 2025
Muharram/Islamic New Year
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and a time of remembrance or mourning.
Muslim
July
Fri
Friday, July 18, 2025
Nelson Mandela Day
Nelson Mandela Day is a observance in South Africa
Observance
August
Sat
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival that is celebrated on the full moon of the Hindu month of Shravana (Shravan Poornima). The day is also sometimes referred to as Brother and Sister Day because it honors the relationship between brother and sister.
Hindu Holiday
Sat
Saturday, August 9, 2025
National Women's Day
National Women's Day is a public holiday in South Africa
Public Holiday
Sat
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of the god Vishnu. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrava (Bhadrapada), which is usually in August or September.
Hindu Holiday
Tue
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi is the great Ganesha festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesha during the Hindu Month of Bhadra, which usually falls between mid-August and mid-September. It is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and can last up to 10 days.
Hindu Holiday
September
Fri
Friday, September 5, 2025
Milad un Nabi (Mawlid)
Mawlid, or Milad, marks the birth of the Islamic prophet Muhammed, or Mohamed, in the year 570 of the Gregorian calendar.
Muslim
Mon
Monday, September 22, 2025
Navaratri
Navaratri is a Hindu holiday in South Africa
Hindu Holiday
Mon
Monday, September 22, 2025
September Equinox
September Equinox in South Africa (Johannesburg)
Season
Wed
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Heritage Day
Heritage Day is a public holiday in South Africa
Public Holiday
October
Thu
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Dussehra
Dussehra is a Hindu holiday in South Africa
Hindu Holiday
Mon
Monday, October 20, 2025
Diwali/Deepavali
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most popular Hindu festivals.
Hindu Holiday
December
Tue
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Day of Reconciliation
Day of Reconciliation is a public holiday in South Africa
Public Holiday
Sun
Sunday, December 21, 2025
December Solstice
December Solstice in South Africa (Johannesburg)
Season
Wed
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is the day before Christmas Day and falls on December 24 in the Gregorian calendar.
Christian
Thu
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is one of the biggest Christian celebrations and falls on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar.
Public Holiday
Fri
Friday, December 26, 2025
Day of Goodwill
Day of Goodwill is a public holiday in South Africa
Public Holiday
Wed
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
New Year's Eve
New Year’s Eve is the last day of the year, December 31, in the Gregorian calendar.
Observance

Understanding South Africa Holidays 2025

Holiday Culture in South Africa

South Africa recognizes the religious diversity of its population with holidays honoring Christian, Islamic, Hindu, and other traditions. This inclusive approach reflects the nation's commitment to unity in diversity.

Major Holidays in South Africa

New Year's Day

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

New Year’s Day is celebrated with a blend of both diversity and tradition in countries such as South Africa on January 1 each year.

Public Holiday

Christmas Day

Thursday, December 25, 2025

Christmas Day is one of the biggest Christian celebrations and falls on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar.

Public Holiday

Human Rights Day

Friday, March 21, 2025

Human Rights Day is a public holiday in South Africa

Public Holiday

Holiday Pattern & Statistics

South Africa observes 41 official holidays in 2025. The typical range for countries in this region is 10-12 holidays annually.

South Africa's 41 official holidays reflect the nation's christian-multi heritage and rainbow-nation traditions. Holiday observance may vary by region within the country.

Business Travel & Coordination

Plan business travel to South Africa carefully around major holidays when offices close and transportation becomes congested. Check regional variations as holiday observance may differ across provinces or states.

Cultural Traditions

South Africa's holiday traditions emphasize family gatherings, traditional foods, and community celebrations. Many holidays involve multi-day festivities with distinct customs for each day.

Timezone Coordination Tips

When coordinating meetings with South Africa, verify holiday schedules in advance as dates may vary, especially for lunar calendar-based holidays. Use SyncMyTime's timezone tools to ensure perfect scheduling alignment.

Why Check South Africa Public Holidays?

  • Plan business meetings and avoid scheduling conflicts during bank closures
  • Coordinate with remote teams and international colleagues across time zones
  • Book travel and accommodations around peak holiday periods for better rates
  • Respect cultural and religious observances important to local communities
  • Optimize project timelines and deadlines accounting for reduced business days
  • Anticipate supply chain and logistics disruptions during major holidays

Frequently Asked Questions

Stay Perfectly Synchronized

Our holiday calendar for South Africa is regularly updated to ensure accuracy. Use this information alongside our South Africa timezone tools and meeting planner to coordinate seamlessly with South Africa and stay perfectly synchronized with local schedules.