UAE Public Holidays 2026: Plan Your Year Around These Dates
Planning your year in the UAE starts with knowing when the days off fall. This guide lists every confirmed and expected public holiday for 2026, from New Year’s Day through to UAE National Day, along with the 2027 dates so you can plan even further ahead. Scroll to the table for a quick answer, or read on for the detail behind each holiday.
UAE Public Holidays 2026
The UAE has 13 public holiday days scheduled for 2026, starting with New Year’s Day on 1 January and closing out the year with UAE National Day on 2–3 December. Gregorian-calendar holidays (New Year’s Day, Commemoration Day and National Day) have fixed dates. Islamic holidays are estimated based on the lunar calendar and are confirmed only once the moon is sighted.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type / Notes |
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Confirmed · 1 day |
| 19–22 March | Thursday–Sunday | Eid Al Fitr | Tentative (moon sighting) · 3–4 days |
| 26 May | Tuesday | Arafat (Hajj) Day | Tentative (moon sighting) · 1 day |
| 27–29 May | Wednesday–Friday | Eid Al Adha | Tentative (moon sighting) · 3 days |
| 16 June | Tuesday | Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) | Tentative (moon sighting) · 1 day |
| 25 August | Tuesday | Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday | Tentative (moon sighting) · 1 day |
| 30 November | Monday | Commemoration Day | Confirmed · 1 day |
| 2–3 December | Tuesday–Wednesday | UAE National Day | Confirmed · 2 days |
A Note On the Source Data!
One summary table lists Commemoration Day as 1 December, while the detailed listing places it on 30 November. We’ve used 30 November above, as it’s the date confirmed in both the detailed breakdown and the final holiday list. Check official government channels closer to the date for the final confirmation.
Notes on the 2026 Holidays
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 January, is a public holiday for both public and private sector employees across the UAE.
- Eid Al Fitr: The expected break runs from Friday, 20 March to Sunday, 22 March, with an extra day possible if Ramadan lasts 30 days.
- Day of Arafat: This important Islamic occasion is expected on Tuesday, 26 May, marking the start of the Eid Al Adha holiday period.
- Eid Al Adha: The Feast of Sacrifice is expected from Wednesday to Friday, 27–29 May, followed by the weekend for an extended break.
- Islamic New Year: The first day of Muharram is expected on Tuesday, 16 June, marking the beginning of the Islamic New Year.
- Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday: Also known as Eid Milad un Nabi, this occasion is expected on Tuesday, 25 August, falling on 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal.
- Commemoration Day: Formerly known as Martyrs’ Day, this day honours Emirati personnel who lost their lives serving the nation and is expected on Monday, 30 November.
- UAE National Day: Celebrated on Tuesday and Wednesday, 2–3 December, National Day provides another opportunity for an extended break towards the end of the year.
The number of holiday days shown reflects what’s typically expected for the private sector. Public sector schedules can differ slightly.
UAE Public Holidays 2027
Looking further ahead, here’s the expected 2027 UAE holiday calendar. As with 2026, Islamic dates are provisional and depend on moon sightings closer to the time, treating them as a planning guide rather than a confirmed schedule.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type / Notes |
| 1 January | Friday | New Year’s Day | Confirmed · 1 day |
| 10–12 March | Wednesday–Friday | Eid Al Fitr | Tentative (moon sighting) · 3 days |
| 16 May | Sunday | Arafat (Hajj) Day | Tentative (moon sighting) · 1 day |
| 17–19 May | Monday–Wednesday | Eid Al Adha | Tentative (moon sighting) · 3 days |
| 6 June | Sunday | Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) | Tentative (moon sighting) · 1 day |
| 14 August | Saturday | Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday | Tentative (moon sighting) · 1 day |
| 1 December | Wednesday | Commemoration Day | Confirmed · 1 day |
| 2–3 December | Thursday–Friday | UAE National Day | Confirmed · 2 days |
Because 2027 is further out, treat all dates above as provisional. The UAE government typically confirms the official holiday calendar shortly before each occasion.
What UAE Public Holidays Mean for Employees and Businesses
Public holidays in the UAE apply to both the public and private sectors, though exact entitlements can vary by employer and emirate. Most private companies close on the confirmed dates, and any Islamic holiday falling on a weekend is often compensated with a substitute day off, depending on company policy.
For businesses, multi-day holidays like Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are worth planning around in advance. Customer support hours, delivery schedules and staffing rosters typically need adjusting, particularly when a holiday falls close to a weekend and creates an extended break.
How to Plan Annual Leave Around UAE Public Holidays
Several 2026 holidays sit next to a weekend, which makes them useful anchor points for annual leave:
- Eid Al Adha (27–29 May) runs straight into the weekend of 30–31 May, creating a potential five-day break with minimal leave used.
- UAE National Day (2–3 December) follows Commemoration Day on 30 November, so a short stretch of leave in between can turn into an extended year-end break.
- Eid Al Fitr (19/20–22 March) already spans a long weekend on its own.
Because Islamic dates aren’t finalised until closer to the time, it’s sensible to submit leave requests with some flexibility built in, and confirm plans once the government announces official dates.
Important Points About Islamic Holiday Dates
Islamic holidays follow the lunar Hijri calendar, and the exact date depends on the sighting of the moon, which can only be confirmed a day or two beforehand. This is why Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid Al Adha, the Islamic New Year and the Prophet’s Birthday are all listed as expected rather than fixed dates.
The UAE government typically announces the confirmed dates through official channels shortly before each holiday. If you’re booking flights or making firm commitments around one of these dates, it’s worth building in a buffer day either side.
Turn UAE Public Holidays Into Business Opportunities
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Frequently Ask Questions
How many public holidays does the UAE have in 2026?
The UAE has 13 public holiday days in 2026, starting with New Year’s Day on 1 January and ending with UAE National Day on 2–3 December.
Are UAE public holiday dates confirmed in advance?
Gregorian-calendar holidays like New Year’s Day, Commemoration Day and National Day have fixed dates. Islamic holidays are estimated in advance but only officially confirmed once the moon is sighted, usually a day or two before the holiday.
What is the longest public holiday in the UAE in 2026?
Eid Al Fitr is expected to be the longest break, running 3–4 days depending on the length of Ramadan, from around 19/20 March to 22 March.
Do UAE public holidays apply to both public and private sector employees?
Yes, public holidays apply across both sectors, though specific entitlements and any substitute days off can vary by employer and emirate.
Can I book travel around Islamic holiday dates in advance?
You can book provisionally, but since exact dates depend on moon sighting, it’s wise to build in a day or two of flexibility either side of the expected date.
When does the UAE announce official public holiday dates?
The government typically announces confirmed dates for Islamic holidays shortly before they occur, once the moon sighting has been verified.
Closing Notes
Knowing the UAE public holiday dates for 2026 and 2027 helps employees, businesses and residents plan ahead with confidence. From New Year’s Day to UAE National Day, these dates shape annual leave requests, business closures and travel bookings across the year.
Islamic holidays such as Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid Al Adha, the Islamic New Year and the Prophet’s Birthday follow the lunar calendar, so their exact dates depend on moon sighting and official government confirmation closer to the time. Treat these dates as expected rather than fixed.
Whether you’re scheduling annual leave, arranging business operations or planning travel around long weekends, checking back closer to each holiday ensures your plans stay accurate and stress-free throughout the year ahead.