Start with the smell of boerewors drifting over Church Square
It's late morning on 26 December, and Pretoria is in the middle of its summer. Jacarandas have finished flowering, the city is warm, and the streets around Church Square fill with a mix of families, church groups and volunteers — because Day of Goodwill is a public holiday built around both leisure and giving. You'll see it in the small things: a charity collection outside a supermarket, a cooler box of cold drinks shared on a park lawn, a queue forming at a church hall. The day after Christmas is a nationwide holiday here, so the rhythm is unhurried — outdoor gatherings, parks, and quiet acts of generosity rather than a single organised spectacle.
Join a volunteer drive or a charity collection
Day of Goodwill was renamed from Boxing Day in 1994, the year Nelson Mandela became president, and the charitable spirit of the old tradition carried over intact. That makes 26 December — a Saturday in 2026 — one of the best days of the year to give your time rather than just your money.
- Look for checkout donation campaigns at major retailers such as Woolworths and Shoprite, where you can add a contribution to your shop.
- Organisations including Gift of the Givers Foundation, FoodForward SA and The Smile Foundation typically see a spike in donations and volunteer interest around this date — check their channels in the weeks before to see how you can help in Pretoria.
- Community centres and churches across the city run local drives; ask at your accommodation or a neighbourhood congregation what's happening nearby.
Spend the afternoon outdoors, as the city does
December is midsummer in South Africa, and the holiday is traditionally spent outside — beaches, parks and family gatherings. In Pretoria that means lawns, shade trees and long, warm afternoons. Pack a picnic, find a park, and settle in. If you want a green escape with structure, the Pretoria National Botanical Garden in Brummeria — 76 hectares run by SANBI, split by a 35-metre quartzite ridge — is open daily from 8am to 6pm (last entry 5pm), with flat paths and adapted toilets at the main entrance. Entry is modest, and it's an easy, calm way to mark the day.
Make an evening of it — comedy, food, and a summer table
There is no official national parade or tourism programme for Day of Goodwill; celebrations are local and varied. In practice that means comedy nights, beach outings and charity events around the country, and in Pretoria, an evening out with family or friends. Book a table, seek out a local comedy or music night, and eat well — summer is the season for outdoor dining and long, relaxed meals. If you're driving, plan ahead: the day is a public holiday, so check opening hours before you set out.
Know the date, and plan around it
- 2026: Saturday, 26 December — a full weekend day, ideal for outdoor plans.
- 2027: Sunday, 26 December.
- 2028: Tuesday, 26 December.
- 2029: Wednesday, 26 December.
- 2030: Thursday, 26 December.
Because it follows Christmas Day, many businesses run reduced hours; confirm before you travel to a specific venue. The holiday itself is nationwide, so wherever you are in Pretoria, the charitable and outdoor traditions will be close at hand.
Book your accommodation early for the Christmas week, check which charities are running drives in the city, and set aside the 26th for a slow morning, a generous afternoon and a long summer evening. Pretoria on Day of Goodwill rewards the visitor who arrives ready to give a little and linger a lot.