Updated 3 November 2026
UAE public holidays 2026 and 2027
Every UAE public holiday for 2026, with the dates actually observed, and the expected dates for 2027 — plus the long weekends worth planning a staycation or a Dubai trip around. Islamic holidays depend on the moon sighting, so 2027 dates are forecasts until they are announced.
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UAE public holidays 2026
| Holiday | Dates | Days off | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thursday 1 January 2026 | 1 day | Confirmed |
| Eid Al Fitr | Thursday 19 March - Sunday 22 March 2026 (Eid day: Friday 20 March 2026) | 4 days for both federal government and private sector | Confirmed |
| Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha | Arafat Day Tuesday 26 May 2026; Eid Al Adha Wednesday 27 May 2026. Holiday: private sector Tue 26 - Fri 29 May; federal government Mon 25 - Fri 29 May | Private sector 4 days | Confirmed |
| Islamic (Hijri) New Year 1448 | Monday 15 June 2026 (holiday). Actual 1 Muharram was expected Tue 16 or Wed 17 June depending on moon sighting. | 1 day for federal government and private sector | Confirmed |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | Friday 28 August 2026 (holiday). Actual 12 Rabi Al Awwal was Tuesday 25 August 2026. | 1 day for federal government and private sector | Confirmed |
| Commemoration Day | Monday 30 November 2026 (observance) | 0 - not an official holiday | Not a day off |
| Eid Al Etihad / UAE National Day | Statutory dates Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026 | 2 days | Expected |
2026 dates up to the Prophet’s Birthday are as announced and observed. National Day (Eid Al Etihad) holiday dates are statutory and await official confirmation, usually in mid-November.
UAE public holidays 2027 (expected)
| Holiday | Dates | Days off | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Friday 1 January 2027 | 1 day | Expected |
| Eid Al Fitr | Tuesday 9 March - Thursday 11 March 2027, or to Friday 12 March if Ramadan completes 30 days. Eid day expected Tue 9 or Wed 10 March. Ramadan expected to begin Monday 8 February 2027. | Expected 3-4 days | Expected |
| Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha | Saturday 15 May - Tuesday 18 May 2027 (Arafat Day ~15 May, Eid ~16 May) | Expected 4 days | Expected |
| Islamic (Hijri) New Year 1449 | Sunday 6 June 2027 | Expected 1 day | Expected |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | Saturday 14 August 2027 | Expected 1 day | Expected |
| Eid Al Etihad / UAE National Day | Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December 2027 (statutory dates) | 2 days | Expected |
No separate cabinet-approved 2027 calendar found from FAHR/MOHRE/WAM as of 3 Nov 2026. The standing list under Cabinet Decision 27/2024 applies; Islamic dates above are expected/astronomical. A propakistani.pk article (12 Aug 2026) headlined 'UAE announces list of all public holidays for 2027' could not be fetched and is not corroborated by Gulf News/Khaleej Times, which both describe the 2027 dat
Long weekends to plan around
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) 2026
Statutory 2–3 December; final dates to be confirmed. See Dubai stays for these dates →
New Year 2027
1 January 2027 is a Friday, giving a three-day weekend. See Downtown Dubai stays for these dates →
Eid Al Fitr 2027 (expected)
Expected around 9–12 March, subject to moon sighting. See Palm Jumeirah stays for these dates →
Eid Al Adha 2027 (expected)
Expected around 15–18 May, subject to moon sighting. See Dubai Marina stays for these dates →
Holiday weekends sell out early in Dubai, especially beach resorts and apartments with Burj Khalifa views. Book with free cancellation if the dates might still move. Ideas: Staycation Dubai · Holiday homes · What’s on this weekend
UAE public holidays FAQ
How many public holidays does the UAE have?
The official UAE list covers six occasions: New Year’s Day, Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday and Eid Al Etihad (National Day). Commemoration Day on 30 November is marked but is not a day off.
When is UAE National Day 2026?
Eid Al Etihad falls on 2 December, with the statutory holiday on 2 and 3 December 2026 (Wednesday and Thursday). The final holiday dates are normally confirmed in mid-November and can be moved to create a long weekend.
When is Eid Al Fitr 2027?
Astronomers expect Ramadan to begin around Monday 8 February 2027 and Eid Al Fitr around 9–10 March 2027, with a holiday of about 3–4 days. The exact dates depend on the moon sighting.
Can UAE public holidays be moved?
Yes. Under a 2024 Cabinet decision, holidays other than the two Eids can be moved to the start or end of the week to create long weekends — in 2026 the Islamic New Year moved to Monday 15 June and the Prophet’s Birthday to Friday 28 August.