Christmas Day (Public Holiday)

‘Tis the season to be jolly, celebrating with family and friends


An international public holiday marking one of the Christian religion’s central events – the birth of Jesus Christ – Christmas Day has become a day where people from all religious and cultural backgrounds come together in the spirit of giving.

While the actual date of Christ’s birth remains up for heated debate, Christians and people all over the world have accepted December 25 as Christmas day, and most still celebrate with a coming together of families at the lunch table, the pulling of crackers and the carving of roasts.

Even though we’re in the hottest hemisphere, many South Africans still uphold the European traditions, including the display of Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, warm drinks and puddings at the lunch or dinner table and the arrival of Father Christmas or Santa Claus.

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PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN SOUTH AFRICA
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JANUARY

1 January

New Year's Day

MARCH

21 March

Human Rights Day

APRIL

18 April

Good Friday

21 April

Family Day

27 April

Freedom Day

MAY

1 May

Worker’s Day

JUNE

16 June

Youth Day

AUGUST

9 August

National Women's Day

SEPTEMBER

24 September

Heritage Day

DECEMBER

16 December

Day of Reconciliation

25 December

Christmas Day

26 December

Day of Goodwill

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Cape Town Events Calendar
June 2026
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Aubergine Auslese event featureSophisticated private event space in ...

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Bespoke menus, wine pairings, and timeless interiors

Light House Holistic 2026Rooftop clubhouse with yoga, sauna, ...

It’s open from 7am to 5.30pm. 5 reasons to go Light House Holistic

Masque Theatre 2026Broadway brilliance on Cape Town’s ...

Fast-paced musical full of disguises, drama and delightful chaos

Char'd tasting 2025Brandy, tequila & gin tastings with ...

Steaks are the main event. The tastings complete the experience

Pear Tree 2024Pear Tree, the tiny Hermanus bistro ...

Breakfast poké bowls, egg and kimchi tacos, and fresh juices

Dutchies recurring event Free jazz nights at Dutchies by Grotto ...

Sushi platters, crisp wine, and jazz in the sea breeze

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Tiramisu martinis, lasagne crocchetta and more

WB TAPSBrewery with food specials every single ...

Daily deals on classic comfort meals like burgers, schnitzel, ribs, steaks…

Woodstock Brewery Taproom NEW 4Cool taproom with amazing happy hour & ...

Craft beer tasting trays, burgers for just R60, R35 happy hour pints

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Aubergine Auslese event featureSophisticated private event space in ...

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century city 3Century City deserves a full day out, ...

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West Coast Safaris 2025A seasonal guide to West Coast Private ...

Flowers in spring, whales in summer and wildlife all year

rooikat newSafari getaway just one hour from Cape ...

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OS2A café in Hermanus run by the ...

South Africa’s most special café where 5 of 5 who’ve ...

DAY TIIME EXTRAAFamily eatery with buffet brunch on ...

Brunch is served until 2pm, and kids under 10 eat for half price

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Breakfast buffet every Saturday with shisha and sport upstairs

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