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
December 2025
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Cape Town’s highest bar (no ticket needed), free tours + more

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Char'd tasting 2025Rum, brandy & gin tastings with your ...

Unusual cuts prepped in-house and a curious gin atomiser

norval foundation 11Norval Foundation, the art museum with ...

Unmissable summer exhibitions, picnics amongst the sculptures, & more

Symmetry Fest Thailand's full moon party comes to ...

3 days with top DJs, laser shows, and poolside fun

Two Oceans Aquarium clean up Two Oceans Aquarium's free beach ...

Every 3rd Sat of the month in Milnerton, Muizenberg, or Blouberg

PT2The hidden seaside bistro on the ...

Inventive small plates best explored with a wine pairing

Milk on the Beach 2025Reasons to visit this beach-side family ...

DIY waffles, loaded hotdogs, poke bowls, right on the beach

LMTF Mandela and WinnieMeet 100 bronze life-size figures at ...

From famous heroes like Mandela to forgotten ones like Autshumato

Cafe Extrablatt 2024All-you-can-eat breakfast buffet every ...

Bottomless buffet with a laidback shisha lounge & bar upstairs

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Organic fruit and veg, smoothie bowls + small-scale clothes

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The diamond showroom where you can polish your own stone

cherry festival 1Everything you need to know about Ceres ...

Cherry products and picking, foam party & live music as the sun sets

fable Cocktail Bar 4Amazing cocktail & food specials at ...

Daily happy hour, free starters & welcome drinks, and more

Ficks dinners 2025 sunset Ficks, Hermanus’s tidal pool ...

Just as wonderful at night & during the cooler months

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