Public Holiday Calendar | Long Weekend Calendar | School Holiday Calendar
South African Public Holidays & Long Weekend Calendar
Important Notice — Date Sources & Accuracy
All public holiday dates have been imported from official South African government sources and are subject to change. Dates verified May 2026. School terms for 2028 and 2029 are estimated based on published DBE patterns — the official gazette for those years had not been published at time of compilation. Always verify with your child's school before making travel plans.
Substitution rule (Public Holidays Act No 36 of 1994): When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed. Holidays falling on a Saturday attract no additional day off.
- gov.za/about-sa/public-holidays — Official SA Government gazette (primary source)
- westerncape.gov.za/education/school-calendar — WCED 2026 & 2027 school calendar (Gazette No. 52178)
- holidayhub.co.za — Cross-referenced, sourced from SA Government gazette
Frequently Asked Public holiday Questions
South Africa has 12 official public holidays in 2026. When some fall on a Sunday, the following Monday is typically observed as the public holiday in lieu.
View our public holiday calendar here. Book your self-catering accommodation at Kanon via our reservations page.
Kanon Private Nature Reserve, located 42 km from Mossel Bay on the Cape South Coast, offers beachfront self-catering cottages and luxury glamping tents at the beach and on a private nature reserve, perfect for a long weekend getaway and offers self-catering accommodation Garden Route style! At the beach!
Options include Periwinkel Beach House, Shell Catcher Beach Cottage, Nguni View Beach Cottage, Fynbos Beach Cottage and Khoekhoen Glamping Village.
Long weekends in 2026 book out early, so planning ahead is essential. If you are looking for weekend getaways for couples, or just a Western Cape Getaway – check out our 12 month public holiday calendar to see when there are long weekends.
To book and check availability, view our reservations page here.
Yes. Per the South African Public Holidays Act (No. 36 of 1994), if a public holiday falls on a Sunday the following Monday is the observed public holiday. This does not apply to Saturdays. This rule is important for planning long weekends in 2026 as it can create additional days off.
View public holidays in South Africa in our calendar here. To make a booking at Kanon visit our reservations page link here.
South African school holidays for 2026 are typically divided into four terms. The summer holiday runs from late December 2025 into mid-January 2026, autumn holidays fall around late March to mid-April (overlapping with Easter public holidays), the winter school holiday is in late June to mid-July, and the spring break is in late September to early October. Final dates are confirmed by the Department of Basic Education.
Kanon Private Nature Reserve fills fast over school holidays in South Africa. Early booking are strongly recommended. View Kanon’a reservations page to find out what’s available during which public holiday’s.
View public holidays in South Africa in this calendar we made here.
- Ain’t no weekend like a long weekend!
- Let’s wander where the WiFi is weak!
- Happiness is not having to set the alarm for the next day!
In 2026 South Africa enjoys several long weekends. Key ones include the Easter long weekend (3-6 April), Freedom Day weekend (27 April into a long weekend if adjacent to a weekend), Youth Day (16 June) and Heritage Day (24 September).
Always check the official calendar as dates shift annually. Kanon Private Nature Reserve fills fast over these periods, so early booking is strongly recommended. View our reservations page to find out what’s available during which public holiday’s.
Looking to view a calendar in a more easy to read format? View the Public Holiday’s in South Africa in our calendar link here.
South Africa has 15 public holidays in 2026, including New Year’s Day (1 Jan), Human Rights Day (21 Mar), Good Friday (3 Apr), Family Day (6 Apr), Freedom Day (27 Apr), Workers’ Day (1 May), Youth Day (16 Jun), National Women’s Day (9 Aug), Heritage Day (24 Sep), Day of Reconciliation (16 Dec), Christmas Day (25 Dec) and Day of Goodwill (26 Dec). Where a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed.
Looking to view a calendar in a more easy to read format? View the Public Holiday’s in South Africa in our calendar link here.
KANON PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE – CAPE VACCA
Self-Catering Accommodation Options
Featuring 5 unique and precious Garden Route Self-Catering Accommodation offerings.
Places to stay on the Garden Route. Just 42 km south of Mossel Bay. Garden Route Accommodation.
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For your most accurate driving route, search “Kanon Private Nature Reserve” in Google Maps or use this link below. For detailed directions, including if traveling from the north or south of Kanon, please visit our locations page here.
