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Long Weekends in NA 2026

7 long weekends · 26 total days off · 3 leave days needed

4
Free long weekends
3
With bridge days
26
Total days off
1 Jan – 4
4 days off
1 leave day needed
Public holidays
Thu 1 JanNew Year's Day
Take leave on:
Fri 2 Jan
3 Apr – 6
4 days off
No leave needed
Public holidays
Fri 3 AprGood Friday
Mon 6 AprEaster Monday
1 May – 4
4 days off
No leave needed
Public holidays
Fri 1 MayWorkers Day
Mon 4 MayCassinga Day
14 May – 17
4 days off
1 leave day needed
Public holidays
Thu 14 MayAscension Day
Take leave on:
Fri 15 May
23 May – 25
3 days off
No leave needed
Public holidays
Mon 25 MayAfrica Day
10 Dec – 13
4 days off
1 leave day needed
Public holidays
Thu 10 DecHuman Rights Day
Take leave on:
Fri 11 Dec
25 Dec – 27
3 days off
No leave needed
Public holidays
Fri 25 DecChristmas Day
Sat 26 DecFamily Day

Long Weekends & Bridge Days in NA 2026

NA 2026: 7 long weekend opportunities

In NA in 2026, there are 4 long weekends that occur naturally — no annual leave needed — plus 3 bridge day opportunities where a single day off creates an extended break. In total, across all 7 long weekends, you can gain 26 consecutive days off. The 3 bridge opportunities require just 3 days of annual leave.

What is a bridge day?

A bridge day is a single working day that sits between a public holiday and a weekend, turning a short break into a 4 or 5-day stretch. Known as Brückentag in German, ponte in Italian, pont in French, and puente in Spanish, the concept is the same worldwide: taking one strategic day of leave multiplies your time off far beyond what the same day used independently would give you.

How to plan your leave around NA holidays

The most effective leave strategy is to target the bridge day opportunities listed above rather than booking leave during peak periods. With just 3 days of annual leave spread across the right dates in 2026, you can extend NA's public holidays into 3 additional long breaks. Check the full NA holiday calendar for all public holiday dates.

← Public Holidays NA 2026