South Africa School Holidays 2027
Looking for South Africa school holidays 2027? You'll find the complete 2027 school calendar for South Africa, South Africa right here — including all term dates, school holiday periods, public holidays, and important academic dates. Our data is sourced from Department of Basic Education (South Africa) and covers 4 terms and 5 school breaks in school year 2027/28. Whether you're planning family travel during the school holidays, booking vacation care, or need to know when the 2027 school year starts and ends, this comprehensive South Africa school holiday calendar has everything you need.
Dates verified against official source for the current school year. Last verified: Sep 21, 2026.
Summer Holidays
Dec 10 – Jan 13, 2027
South Africa Term Dates 2027/28
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 66 | Wednesday 13 January to Friday 19 March 2027 (per Government Gazette No. 52178). | ||
| Term 2 | 81 | Tuesday 6 April to Friday 25 June 2027. Includes a special school holiday Monday 26 April and Freedom Day Tuesday 27 April (schools closed). | ||
| Term 3 | 66 | Monday 19 July to Wednesday 22 September 2027 (46 school days per gazette). | ||
| Term 4 | 65 | Tuesday 5 October to Wednesday 8 December 2027. |
South Africa School Holidays in school year 2027/28
| Break | Dates | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 Holidays | Mar 20 – Apr 5, 2027 | 17 |
| Freedom Day Long Weekend | Apr 26 – Apr 27, 2027 | 2 |
| Term 2 Holidays | Jun 26 – Jul 18, 2027 | 23 |
| Term 3 Holidays | Sep 23 – Oct 4, 2027 | 12 |
| Summer Holidays | Dec 9 – Jan 12, 2028 | 35 |
South Africa Public Holidays 2027
| Name | Start Date | End Date | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 | — | ||
| Human Rights Day | 1 | Falls on Sunday; observed Monday 22 March 2027. | ||
| Human Rights Day (Observed) | 1 | — | ||
| Good Friday | 1 | — | ||
| Family Day | 1 | — | ||
| Special School Holiday | 1 | Gazetted special school holiday (schools only). | ||
| Freedom Day | 1 | — | ||
| Workers' Day | 1 | — | ||
| Youth Day | 1 | — | ||
| National Women's Day | 1 | — | ||
| Heritage Day | 1 | — | ||
| Day of Reconciliation | 1 | — | ||
| Christmas Day | 1 | — | ||
| Day of Goodwill | 1 | — | ||
| Public Holiday | 1 | Gazetted additional public holiday (Monday 27 December 2027). |
South Africa School 2027 Calendar — Month by Month
January 2027
February 2027
March 2027
April 2027
May 2027
June 2027
July 2027
August 2027
September 2027
October 2027
November 2027
December 2027
Add South Africa School Holidays to your calendar
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Data last verified Sep 21, 2026. Dates come from the official source listed above — always confirm with your school or education authority before making important plans.
Detailed 2027 South Africa School Year Information
Term 1
Wed, Jan 13, 2027 – Fri, Mar 19, 2027
Wednesday 13 January to Friday 19 March 2027 (per Government Gazette No. 52178).
Term 2
Tue, Apr 6, 2027 – Fri, Jun 25, 2027
Tuesday 6 April to Friday 25 June 2027. Includes a special school holiday Monday 26 April and Freedom Day Tuesday 27 April (schools closed).
Term 3
Mon, Jul 19, 2027 – Wed, Sep 22, 2027
Monday 19 July to Wednesday 22 September 2027 (46 school days per gazette).
Term 4
Tue, Oct 5, 2027 – Wed, Dec 8, 2027
Tuesday 5 October to Wednesday 8 December 2027.
South Africa School Holidays 2027/28 — Key Dates
These South Africa school holiday dates for 2027 are sourced directly from Department of Basic Education (South Africa). South Africa has a unified school calendar for all 9 provinces since 2024. The 2026 school year has 4 terms totalling 205 school days. The calendar is gazetted by the Department of Basic Education under the National Education Policy Act.
Planning Tips for 2027 South Africa School Holidays
🏛️ One gazetted national calendar
The Department of Basic Education gazettes the calendar years in advance (the 2027 calendar was published in February 2025) — all nine provinces follow it, including special school holidays like the pre-Freedom Day Monday.
❄️ Winter holidays are in June
The southern-hemisphere year means the long mid-year break falls in late June-July and the big summer holiday spans December-January, over Christmas.
🦁 Safari low seasons align with terms
Kruger and other parks are quieter and cheaper right after each term break ends; the December school holiday is the busiest domestic-travel period of the year.
📅 Watch the extra holidays
The gazette includes school-only "special school holidays" (like 26 April before Freedom Day) and observed public holidays — these don't apply to workplaces, only to schools.
Data & source details Who this calendar applies to, where it came from, and when we will check it again
- Applies to
- Not yet recorded
- Does not apply to
- Not yet recorded
- Governance level
- National
- Date status
- Binding on schools
- Source document
- Not yet recorded
- Published by the authority
- Department of Basic Education (South Africa)
- Last checked by us
- Sep 21, 2026
- Next scheduled review
- Not yet recorded
- Known exceptions
- Not yet recorded
- Data version
- Not yet recorded
Source & Data Accuracy
Data source: Department of Basic Education (South Africa)
Source last checked: September 21, 2026
Dates verified against official source for the current school year. Last verified: Sep 21, 2026.
Note: South Africa has a unified school calendar for all 9 provinces since 2024. The 2026 school year has 4 terms totalling 205 school days. The calendar is gazetted by the Department of Basic Education under the National Education Policy Act.
Report a date error or source changeSouth Africa School Holidays 2027 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the longest school holiday?
The summer holiday is typically the longest school break worldwide. In Australia, it lasts about 5-6 weeks (December-January). In the UK, the summer break is approximately 6 weeks (July-August). In the US, summer break is the longest at 10-12 weeks (June-August). In Singapore, the year-end holidays last about 6 weeks.
Are school holidays the same across all states or regions?
No. School holiday dates vary by state, region, and sometimes even by individual school district or local council. While neighbouring areas often have similar schedules, you should always check the specific dates for your local area.
Can I take my child out of school during term time?
Rules vary by country. In the UK, taking children out of school during term time without authorization can result in fines. In Australia, it is generally discouraged but policies vary by state. In the US, policies are set by individual school districts. Always check with your school before planning term-time absences.
Do private schools have different holiday dates?
Yes, private and independent schools often set their own term dates, which may differ from government/public schools. However, most private schools follow similar schedules to nearby public schools, with minor variations. Check directly with your school for exact dates.
What are teacher training days / professional development days?
Teacher training days (also called PD days, INSET days in the UK, or pupil-free days in Australia) are days when students do not attend school but teachers participate in training. These are typically attached to the beginning or end of holiday periods.
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