UAE Public Holidays 2026: Maximize Your Days Off & Long Weekends

Planning your year in the UAE starts with knowing when your days off fall. This definitive guide lists every confirmed and expected public holiday for 2026, from New Year’s Day through UAE National Day, along with projected 2027 dates so you can plan well ahead.

At a Glance! UAE Public Holidays 2026

The UAE has 13 official public holiday days scheduled for 2026. Gregorian-calendar holidays (New Year’s Day, Commemoration Day, and UAE National Day) have fixed dates. Islamic holidays follow the Hijri lunar calendar and are officially confirmed by the UAE Moon Sighting Committee closer to each occasion.

Official Date Confirmation Notice: Gregorian dates are fixed. Islamic holiday dates depend on lunar sightings and are officially announced by the UAE government 1 to 2 days prior to the expected date.

Detailed Guide to 2026 UAE Holidays

• New Year’s Day (1 January): A fixed public holiday for both public and private sectors across all seven emirates.
• Eid Al Fitr (19–22 March): Marks the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Expected to run from Thursday evening through Sunday, providing a 4-day long weekend.
• Day of Arafat (26 May): The most sacred day in Islam, preceding Eid Al Adha.
• Eid Al Adha (27–29 May): The Feast of Sacrifice. Combined with Arafat Day and the regular weekend, this creates a potential 5- to 6-day continuous break.
• Islamic New Year (16 June): Marks 1 Muharram 1448 AH on the Hijri calendar.
• Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday (25 August): Observed on 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal.
• Commemoration Day (30 November): Formerly known as Martyrs’ Day, honoring Emiratis who sacrificed their lives in civil, military, and humanitarian service.
• UAE National Day (2–3 December): Celebrates the formal unification of the seven emirates in 1971.

How to Maximise Your Annual Leave in 2026

By strategically pairing standard annual leave days with public holidays, employees in the UAE can unlock major extended vacations:

The Ultimate Eid Al Adha Break (May 23 – May 31)

• Days Off: 9 continuous days off
• Leave required: 1 day (Monday, 25 May)
• How it works: Book Monday, 25 May off. Combine it with the weekend (23–24 May), Arafat Day (26 May), Eid Al Adha (27–29 May), and the following weekend (30–31 May).

The Year-End Megabreak (Nov 28 – Dec 6)

• Days Off: 9 continuous days off
• Leave Required: 1 day (Tuesday, 1 December)
• How It Works: Book Tuesday, 1 Dec off. Combine Commemoration Day (Mon, 30 Nov), National Day (Wed–Thu, 2–3 Dec), and Friday (4 Dec) with both surrounding weekends.

UAE Public Holidays 2027 (Provisional)

For long-term corporate planning, travel booking, and event scheduling, here is the provisional 2027 holiday schedule:

Find Stations Near You Across the UAE

Whether you need to refuel, catch a train, or locate the nearest police station, quickly find nearby locations across all seven emirates. Access essential details, including operating hours, locations, and directions, to plan your journey with ease. Search stations near me and find the right station whenever you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions