UAE public holidays 2026
Updated 15 October 2026
The next public holiday is National Day, 2 and 3 December 2026. Friday 4 December is a working day. Take it off and you get five days, from Wednesday 2 to Sunday 6 December.
All UAE public holidays in 2026
| Holiday | Dates 2026 | Days off |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu 1 Jan | 1 day source |
| Eid al Fitr | Thu 19 to Sun 22 Mar | 4 days (Ramadan had 30 days) source |
| Arafat Day and Eid al Adha | Tue 26 to Fri 29 May | 4 days source |
| Islamic New Year | Mon 15 Jun | 1 day (moved to a Monday) source |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | Fri 28 Aug | 1 day (moved to a Friday) source |
| National Day (Eid Al Etihad) | Wed 2 to Thu 3 Dec | 2 days, still to come |
The same holidays apply to the government and the private sector (Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024). National Day dates are fixed in that resolution. The Cabinet usually confirms them in November.
Know the 2027 holidays first
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2027: what we know
There is no official 2027 list yet. New Year (1 January) and National Day (2 and 3 December) are fixed. Eid dates depend on the moon. Estimates put Eid al Fitr around 9 to 11 March 2027 and Eid al Adha around 15 to 18 May 2027. These are estimates, not official dates.
Questions
- What is the next public holiday in the UAE?
- National Day (Eid Al Etihad) on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026. Friday 4 December is a working day. Take it off and you get five days, from 2 to 6 December. The Cabinet usually confirms the dates in November.
- Do private sector employees get the same holidays?
- Yes. Since 2025, Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 gives the same list to the government and the private sector.
- Why do some holidays move?
- The Cabinet can move a holiday to the start or end of the week, so people get a longer weekend. Eid dates depend on the moon sighting.
- Are the 2027 holidays announced?
- Not yet. As of 15 October 2026 there is no official 2027 list. Lists online are estimates. Shway Dubai reports the official list the morning it comes out.
Sources
- MoHRE: New Year's Day 2026
- The National: Eid al Fitr 2026
- Khaleej Times: Eid al Adha 2026
- Aletihad: Hijri New Year on 15 June
- Khaleej Times: Prophet's Birthday holiday
- Khaleej Times: 2027 holiday estimates
Checked on 15 October 2026. Something wrong? Write to hello@theshway.com.