Ever looked at the calendar and realised you could be making the most of your annual leave instead of letting it go to waste? Fret no more. We’ve put together the ultimate guide to turning public holidays in South Africa into extended breaks. In fact, with just 16 days of annual leave, you could enjoy up to 46 days off in 2026!
From long weekends by the beach to extended festive season escapes, we’ll show you how to strategically plan your leave to maximise your holidays – local or international.
Public Holidays: January: Long Weekend Alert!
Thursday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
Annual leave days needed: 1 (Friday, 2 January)
Days off: 4
Where to go: Perfect for a quick summer break. Head to Cape Town, the Garden Route, or Durban’s beaches. Regionally, Mozambique’s coastline is a great long weekend option.
Public Holidays: March & April: Long Weekend Alert!
• 21 March: Human Rights Day (Saturday)
• 3 April: Good Friday
• 6 April: Family Day
Annual leave days needed: 0
Days off: 4
Where to go: A great chance for a short getaway. Locally, the Drakensberg or Kruger National Park are ideal. Regionally, Victoria Falls is at its most powerful after the rains.
Public Holidays: April & May: Take an International Trip
• 27 April: Freedom Day
• 1 May: Workers’ Day
Annual leave days needed: 3 (28–30 April)
Days off: 9
Where to go: KwaZulu-Natal offers beaches and mountains for a well-rounded local escape. Regionally, try Botswana’s Chobe or Namibia’s deserts. Internationally, it’s spring in Europe—Lisbon, Barcelona, and Rome make for perfect cultural city breaks.
Public Holidays: June: Long Weekend Alert!
• 16 June: Youth Day
Annual leave days needed: 1 (Monday, 15 June)
Days off: 4
Where to go: Keep it close to home. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek for a winter wine country experience, or Knysna along the Garden Route. For regional travel, Victoria Falls is a must-see at this time of year.
Public Holidays: August: Long Weekend Alert!
• 10 August: National Women’s Day (observed)
Annual leave days needed: 0
Days off: 3
Where to go: Ideal for a local break. Think spa weekends in the Midlands, Cape Town food escapes, or a whale-watching trip to Hermanus.
Public Holidays: September: Long Weekend Alert!
• 24 September: Heritage Day
Annual leave days needed: 1 (Friday, 25 September)
Days off: 4
Where to go: Drakensberg hikes, Sun City fun, or Umhlanga’s beaches are perfect for a spring long weekend. Regionally, Mauritius has warm, sunny weather and is a short flight away.
Public Holidays: December: Go Local or International
• Wednesday, 16 December: Day of Reconciliation
• Friday, 25 December: Christmas Day
• Saturday, 26 December: Day of Goodwill
Annual leave days needed: 10 (17-31 December)
Days off: 19 (16 December, 25 December, 1 January)
Where to go: This is your chance for a big holiday. Locally, enjoy a family retreat in Plettenberg Bay or a Kruger safari. Regionally, Botswana, Namibia, and Mozambique are excellent at this time of year. Internationally, go big: Christmas markets in Europe (Germany, Austria, France), a tropical island escape to Mauritius, Maldives, or Zanzibar, or a multi-country adventure across Southern Africa.
Book Your 2026 Holiday with Thompsons
Ready to make the most of your time off? Chat with us at Thompsons today. We’ll help you plan the perfect local escape or international adventure – flights, accommodation, transfers, and experiences all sorted. All you need to do is choose where to go, and we’ll make it happen.