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
2023New 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 |
2024New 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
