GOOD news for LONG WEEKENDS in South Africa in 2025
South Africa’s 2025 Public Holidays and Long Weekends: What You Need to Know
In 2025, South Africans will enjoy fewer public holidays but more long weekends compared to 2024.
While the number of official public holidays drops from 14 to 13, five long weekends are lined up, giving plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy time off.
In 2025, there will be only one “extra” holiday. This is because Freedom Day falls on Sunday, 27 April, meaning Monday, 28 April, will be a public holiday. Unlike 2024, there will be no Voting Day.
Women’s Day falls on Saturday, 9 August, and unfortunately, public holidays that fall on a Saturday do not roll over to the following Monday.
This leaves South Africa with 13 public holidays in total, but only 12 will be actual days off for most workers. While fewer holidays mean fewer days off, this could be seen as a positive for businesses across the country.
The exciting news is the long weekend bonanza. There will be five long weekends in 2025, making it easier to plan trips or relax.
The first long weekend is thanks to Human Rights Day on Friday, 21 March, followed by a four-day Easter weekend from 18-21 April.
Freedom Day on 27 April, a Sunday, means Monday, 28 April, becomes a public holiday, creating another long weekend.
Youth Day on Monday, 16 June, offers a mid-year break, and the final long weekend comes with Christmas and the Day of Goodwill falling on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
South Africans should mark these public holidays on their calendars and plan vacations around these long weekends.
Public Holidays in 2025:
- Wednesday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
- Friday, 21 March: Human Rights Day
- Friday, 18 April: Good Friday
- Monday, 21 April: Family Day
- Sunday, 27 April: Freedom Day
- Monday, 28 April: Freedom Day observed
- Thursday, 1 May: Workers’ Day
- Monday, 16 June: Youth Day
- Saturday, 9 August: National Women’s Day (lost)
- Wednesday, 24 September: Heritage Day
- Tuesday, 16 December: Day of Reconciliation
- Thursday, 25 December: Christmas Day
- Friday, 26 December: Day of Goodwill
Globally, South Africa’s 12 public holidays are about average. The global average is 11, with countries like Myanmar having 30 and the UK only eight. Make sure to enjoy those long weekends in 2025!
