Planning ahead for public holidays can help you maximise your time off and make the most of your annual leave. While 2025 brings one fewer public holiday to South Africans compared to 2024, smart planning can still lead to extended breaks throughout the year.
Here’s a guide to making the most of SA’s public holidays.
More long weekends
The 2025 calendar offers five long weekends, which present the perfect opportunity for short trips or extended rest periods. The strategic placement of these holidays means you can enjoy multiple three and four-day breaks without using much of your annual leave.
Key holiday periods to plan for
March kick-off
Human Rights Day falls on Friday, March 21, making up the first long weekend of the year. Consider using this three-day break for a quick getaway or a weekend retreat.
Easter extended break
The Easter period is one of the year’s best opportunities for an extended break. With Good Friday (April 18) and Family Day (April 21) bookending the weekend, you’ll enjoy four consecutive days off. Better yet, Freedom Day follows shortly after on Sunday, April 27, with Monday, April 28, declared a public holiday in observance.
By taking just three days of leave (April 22-24), you can create a 10-day break, perfect for a longer holiday or international travel.
Mid-year break
Youth Day on Monday, June 16, is your mid-year breather. This strategic Monday holiday offers another chance for a three-day weekend getaway.
Year-end planning
The most generous break comes at year’s end, with Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25) and the Day of Goodwill (Friday, December 26) creating a four-day weekend. Take December 29-31 as annual leave to enjoy a full 10-day break spanning both Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Other noteworthy public holidays in 2025
- National Women’s Day (August 9) falls on a Saturday with no additional day off.
- Workers’ Day (May 1) lands on a Thursday – taking Friday off creates another long weekend.
- Heritage Day (September 24) falls mid-week on Wednesday
- Day of Reconciliation (December 16) occurs on a Tuesday
Compiled by: Savanna Douglas
First published by Woman&home
Also see: Still in holiday mode? Here are useful ways to motivate yourself to return to office
