South Africa School Holidays 2027: Term Breaks, Dates and Return Days
South African public-school learners have their main 2027 breaks from 20 March to 5 April, 26 June to 19 July, and 23 September to 4 October. Learners finish the school year on 8 December 2027, with the year-end holiday starting on 9 December. There is also a separate Special School Holiday on Monday, 26 April 2027.
The South Africa School Holidays 2027 are determined by the official public-school term dates published by the Department of Basic Education.
This guide focuses specifically on when learners are out of school, when each break starts, when learners return, which public holidays fall inside the break, and what parents should know when planning travel, childcare and the next term.
For the full term-by-term schedule, see the South Africa School Calendar 2027 .
South Africa School Holiday Dates 2027
| School holiday | Last school day | Holiday period | Learners return | Calendar length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 / Autumn Holiday | 19 March 2027 | 20 March – 5 April | 6 April 2027 | 17 calendar days |
| Winter Holiday | 25 June 2027 | 26 June – 19 July | 20 July 2027 | 24 calendar days |
| Spring Holiday | 22 September 2027 | 23 September – 4 October | 5 October 2027 | 12 calendar days |
| Year-End Summer Holiday | 8 December 2027 | From 9 December | Use the final officially published 2028 school calendar | Continues into 2028 |
Educators have additional administration days before learners return in January and after learners finish in December.
Term 1 School Holiday: 20 March to 5 April 2027
Term 1 Break
This is the first main school holiday of the 2027 academic year. It lasts 17 calendar days from Saturday, 20 March through Monday, 5 April.
Several national public holidays fall inside this break, which makes March and early April particularly important for family travel planning.
- 21 March — Human Rights Day.
- 22 March — public holiday because Human Rights Day falls on Sunday.
- 26 March — Good Friday.
- 29 March — Family Day.
Learners return for Term 2 on Tuesday, 6 April 2027.
Both fall while learners are already on the Term 1 school holiday.
Special School Holiday on 26 April 2027
Monday, 26 April 2027
Monday, 26 April 2027 is officially designated as a Special School Holiday.
It falls during Term 2 and is immediately followed by:
Tuesday, 27 April — Freedom Day.
Together with the preceding weekend, public-school learners have four consecutive days without school:
Weekend.
Weekend.
Special School Holiday.
Freedom Day public holiday.
Public schools resume.
It is specifically a Special School Holiday for public schools. Freedom Day on 27 April is the national public holiday.
Winter School Holiday: 26 June to 19 July 2027
Term 2 Break
The 2027 winter school holiday lasts 24 calendar days.
Learners finish Term 2 on Friday, 25 June and return for Term 3 on Tuesday, 20 July.
Unlike the first school break, there is no national public holiday inside the official 26 June to 19 July learner holiday period.
What Should Parents Plan for During the Winter Holiday?
- Childcare for working days.
- School transport restart for 20 July.
- Winter uniform and clothing needs.
- Any assignments or reading set by the school.
- Travel arrangements well before the return date.
September–October School Holiday: 23 September to 4 October
Term 3 Break
The spring school holiday lasts 12 calendar days.
A major public holiday falls almost immediately after the break begins:
Friday, 24 September — Heritage Day.
Because learners are already on holiday, Heritage Day does not remove an additional learner teaching day.
Term 4 begins on Tuesday, 5 October 2027.
December School Holiday 2027
December Holiday
Public-school learners complete the 2027 academic year on Wednesday, 8 December.
Their year-end holiday therefore begins on Thursday, 9 December 2027.
Educators remain for administration duties on 9 and 10 December before finishing the official school year.
Important public holidays during the December school break include:
- 16 December — Day of Reconciliation.
- 25 December — Christmas Day.
- 26 December — Day of Goodwill.
- 27 December — additional public holiday because Day of Goodwill falls on Sunday.
The 2027 calendar confirms when learners finish, but the end of the December/January holiday should be checked against the final officially published 2028 school calendar.
2027 School Terms for Holiday Planning
Understanding the four terms makes it easier to see where each school holiday fits.
| Term | Learner dates | What follows? |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | 13 January – 19 March | Autumn holiday from 20 March |
| Term 2 | 6 April – 25 June | Winter holiday from 26 June |
| Term 3 | 20 July – 22 September | Spring holiday from 23 September |
| Term 4 | 5 October – 8 December | Year-end learner holiday from 9 December |
For the complete academic-year breakdown, see the 2027 South Africa School Calendar .
Public Holidays That Fall During the 2027 School Holidays
| Date | Holiday | School status |
|---|---|---|
| 21 March | Human Rights Day | Term 1 school holiday |
| 22 March | Observed public holiday | Term 1 school holiday |
| 26 March | Good Friday | Term 1 school holiday |
| 29 March | Family Day | Term 1 school holiday |
| 24 September | Heritage Day | Spring school holiday |
| 16 December | Day of Reconciliation | Year-end school holiday |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | Year-end school holiday |
| 26 December | Day of Goodwill | Year-end school holiday |
| 27 December | Observed public holiday | Year-end school holiday |
For every national holiday date, see South Africa Public Holidays 2027 .
Are the 2027 School Holiday Dates the Same in Every Province?
Yes. The national public-school calendar applies across South Africa.
The same public-school holiday periods therefore apply in:
- Eastern Cape
- Free State
- Gauteng
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Limpopo
- Mpumalanga
- Northern Cape
- North West
- Western Cape
The official national public-school term dates determine the breaks for all nine provinces.
Do Private Schools Have the Same 2027 Holidays?
Not necessarily.
The national 2027 calendar applies to public schools. Independent schools can use their own calendars.
A private or independent school may have different:
- Term opening dates.
- Term closing dates.
- Half-term breaks.
- Teacher preparation days.
- Exam periods.
- December closing dates.
Do not book flights or accommodation only from the national public-school holiday dates without confirming the school’s actual schedule.
Planning the 2027 School Holidays as a Parent
Childcare
Plan childcare well before the longer winter and year-end holidays, especially where both parents or guardians work during school breaks.
Transport
Confirm school transport restart dates before 6 April, 20 July and 5 October.
Uniforms
Use the longer breaks to replace worn school shoes, winter clothing and other uniform items.
Travel
Book high-demand travel periods early where possible, particularly around Easter and December.
Keep the Return Date Visible
A common planning mistake is remembering when school closes but not the date learners must return.
The major 2027 learner return dates are:
- 6 April — Term 2.
- 20 July — Term 3.
- 5 October — Term 4.
How Learners Can Use the School Holidays
School holidays should provide time to rest, but longer breaks can also be useful for light preparation.
- Finish reading or assignments given by the school.
- Organise notes before the next term.
- Review difficult topics without turning the entire holiday into schoolwork.
- Prepare stationery and school materials several days before reopening.
- Restore a normal sleep routine before the first day of the new term.
Travel Planning During the 2027 School Holidays
School holiday periods can coincide with increased demand for flights, buses, accommodation and popular family attractions.
Term 1 Break
The first break includes the Easter period, including Good Friday and Family Day, so travel demand can be higher around 26–29 March.
Winter Break
The 24-day winter break provides the longest complete mid-year public-school holiday period in the 2027 calendar.
Spring Break
Heritage Day falls on Friday, 24 September, directly after the school holiday begins.
December Holiday
The year-end break overlaps with the major December public holidays and is typically a significant family travel period.
Airlines, buses, trains, attractions and accommodation providers can use different public-holiday or peak-season arrangements.
Do School Holiday Dates Tell You When to Apply for Admission?
No.
Provincial school-admission application periods are separate from the national school holiday calendar.
Applications for the 2027 school year can take place well before learners start in January.
Check the relevant provincial education department’s official admissions process and application window.
Related South African Calendar Guides
Visit the Calendar category for school terms, school holidays, public holidays and annual planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the first school holiday in South Africa in 2027?
The first main learner holiday begins on 20 March after Term 1 ends on 19 March. Learners return on 6 April 2027.
How long is the Term 1 holiday in 2027?
The Term 1 learner break runs from 20 March through 5 April, a period of 17 calendar days.
When are the winter school holidays in 2027?
The winter school holiday runs from 26 June through 19 July 2027. Learners return for Term 3 on 20 July.
How long is the winter school holiday in 2027?
The official learner winter break runs for 24 calendar days from 26 June through 19 July.
When is the September school holiday in 2027?
The spring break runs from 23 September through 4 October. Learners return on 5 October.
When do learners finish school in December 2027?
Public-school learners finish on Wednesday, 8 December 2027. Their year-end holiday begins on 9 December.
When do educators finish in December 2027?
Educators have administration days on 9 and 10 December and finish on 10 December 2027.
Is 26 April 2027 a school holiday?
Yes. Monday, 26 April 2027 is an official Special School Holiday.
Is 26 April 2027 a national public holiday?
No. It is a school-specific holiday. Freedom Day on Tuesday, 27 April is the national public holiday.
Do learners have four days off around Freedom Day in 2027?
Public-school learners have Saturday 24 April, Sunday 25 April, the Special School Holiday on Monday 26 April and Freedom Day on Tuesday 27 April before school resumes on Wednesday 28 April.
Does Good Friday fall during the 2027 school holiday?
Yes. Good Friday on 26 March falls during the Term 1 school break.
Does Heritage Day fall during a school holiday in 2027?
Yes. Heritage Day on 24 September falls during the break between Term 3 and Term 4.
Are the 2027 school holidays the same in Gauteng and Western Cape?
Yes for public schools. The official national public-school calendar uses the same term dates across all nine provinces.
Are there separate inland and coastal school holidays in 2027?
No. The official public-school calendar uses one national set of dates.
Do private schools use these holiday dates?
Not necessarily. Independent and private schools can use different term and holiday dates.
When do learners return after the winter holiday?
Learners return for Term 3 on Tuesday, 20 July 2027.
When do learners return after the September holiday?
Term 4 begins on Tuesday, 5 October 2027.
How many main school breaks are there in 2027?
There are three breaks between the four terms, followed by the year-end summer holiday after Term 4. There is also a separate Special School Holiday on 26 April.
Official Sources and Contacts
- South African Government – 2027 Calendar for Public Schools
- Government Gazette No. 52178 – Official 2027 Public School Calendar PDF
- Department of Basic Education
- Department of Basic Education – Parents and Guardians
- South African Government – Public Holidays
Department of Basic Education Call Centre:
0800 202 933
DBE Switchboard:
012 357 3000
Email:
[email protected]
National Office:
222 Struben Street, Pretoria
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