Free. Last checked October 2026

UAE Public Holidays 2026 and 2027

Every UAE public holiday for 2026 as it was announced, and the expected dates for 2027. The UAE has seven public holidays, set by Cabinet Resolution 27 of 2024, for both the government and the private sector. Islamic holidays follow moon sighting, so we mark each 2027 date as official or expected.

Next UAE public holiday

The next UAE public holiday is UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) on Wednesday 2 December 2026 to Thursday 3 December 2026, in 43 days.

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Countdown to midnight UAE time on Wednesday 2 December 2026.

Upcoming UAE holidays

UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)
Wed 2 Dec to Thu 3 Dec 2026
43days
New Year's Day
Fri 1 Jan 2027
73days
Eid Al Fitr
Tue 9 Mar to Thu 11 Mar 2027 (expected)
140days
Arafat Day
Sat 15 May 2027 (expected)
207days

UAE public holidays 2026

Private sector employees had 13 days off in 2026. Two holidays were moved under the new rules: Hijri New Year from Tuesday 16 June to Monday 15 June, and the Prophet's Birthday to Friday 28 August. Ramadan ran 30 days, so Eid Al Fitr gave four days off (19 to 22 March), and Arafat Day plus Eid Al Adha gave a six-day break with the weekend (26 to 31 May). National Day on 2 and 3 December is the last holiday of the year.

New Year's Day
OfficialPassed
Thu 1 Jan 2026 (1 day)
The first day of the Gregorian year.
Eid Al Fitr
OfficialPassed
Thu 19 Mar to Sun 22 Mar 2026 (4 days)
Marks the end of Ramadan.
Ramadan ran 30 days, so 19 March (30 Ramadan) was added and Eid began on 20 March.
Arafat Day
OfficialPassed
Tue 26 May 2026 (1 day)
9 Dhul Hijjah, the day pilgrims stand at Mount Arafat.
Eid Al Adha
OfficialPassed
Wed 27 May to Fri 29 May 2026 (3 days)
The Feast of Sacrifice, 10 to 12 Dhul Hijjah.
Federal government staff were also off on Monday 25 May.
Hijri New Year
OfficialPassed
Mon 15 Jun 2026 (1 day)
1 Muharram 1448, the Islamic New Year.
Moved to Monday from Tuesday 16 June.
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
OfficialPassed
Fri 28 Aug 2026 (1 day)
12 Rabi Al Awwal, the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid).
Moved to Friday. The date had been expected around 25 August.
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)
Official
Wed 2 Dec to Thu 3 Dec 2026 (2 days)
Marks the union of the Emirates on 2 December 1971.
Scheduled for 2 and 3 December. The Cabinet can still move it to the start or end of the week, as it did in 2025.

UAE public holidays 2027

The 2027 calendar has not been announced. New Year's Day (1 January) and National Day (2 and 3 December) are fixed. The Islamic dates below are astronomical estimates and are usually confirmed a few days before each holiday. Expect 12 days off, or 13 if Ramadan has 30 days. Arafat Day, Hijri New Year and the Prophet's Birthday are expected on a Saturday or Sunday, and a holiday on the weekend is not moved to another day.

New Year's Day
Official
Fri 1 Jan 2027 (1 day)
The first day of the Gregorian year.
Eid Al Fitr
Expected (moon sighting)
Tue 9 Mar to Thu 11 Mar 2027 (3 days, or 4)
Marks the end of Ramadan, expected to start around 8 February 2027.
If Ramadan has 30 days, Friday 12 March is also off (4 days).
Arafat Day
Expected (moon sighting)
Sat 15 May 2027 (1 day)
9 Dhul Hijjah. Expected on a Saturday.
Eid Al Adha
Expected (moon sighting)
Sun 16 May to Tue 18 May 2027 (3 days)
10 to 12 Dhul Hijjah.
Hijri New Year
Expected (moon sighting)
Sun 6 Jun 2027 (1 day)
1 Muharram 1449. Expected on a Sunday.
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
Expected (moon sighting)
Sat 14 Aug 2027 (1 day)
12 Rabi Al Awwal. Expected on a Saturday.
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)
Official
Thu 2 Dec to Fri 3 Dec 2027 (2 days)
Fixed on 2 and 3 December: a Thursday and Friday in 2027.

Long weekends ahead

Breaks of three days or more for anyone on a Saturday and Sunday weekend, using the minimum days off.

New Year's Day 2027
3 days off: Fri 1 Jan to Sun 3 Jan
Eid Al Fitr 2027
3 days off: Tue 9 Mar to Thu 11 Mar (expected)
Eid Al Adha 2027
4 days off: Sat 15 May to Tue 18 May (expected)
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) 2027
4 days off: Thu 2 Dec to Sun 5 Dec

Your rights on public holidays

Every public holiday is a day off on full pay (Article 28 of Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021).
If you work on one, your employer gives you another day off for each holiday worked, or pays that day's normal wage plus at least 50% of your basic wage. Use the overtime calculator to work out the amount.
A holiday that falls inside your annual leave counts as leave, unless your contract is more generous. Check your balance with the annual leave calculator.

Frequently asked questions

When is the next public holiday in the UAE?

The next UAE public holiday is UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) on Wednesday 2 December 2026 to Thursday 3 December 2026. After that comes New Year's Day on Friday 1 January 2027. The countdown at the top of this page always shows the next one.

How many public holidays does the UAE have?

Seven occasions set by Cabinet Resolution 27 of 2024: New Year's Day, Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid Al Adha, Hijri New Year, the Prophet's Birthday and National Day. That gave private sector staff 13 days off in 2026, and is expected to give 12 in 2027 (13 if Ramadan has 30 days).

What are the UAE public holidays in 2027?

New Year's Day on Friday 1 January; Eid Al Fitr expected Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 March (plus Friday 12 March if Ramadan has 30 days); Arafat Day expected Saturday 15 May; Eid Al Adha expected Sunday 16 to Tuesday 18 May; Hijri New Year expected Sunday 6 June; the Prophet's Birthday expected Saturday 14 August; and National Day on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December. The Islamic dates depend on moon sighting.

Are Islamic holiday dates confirmed in advance?

No. They follow the Hijri calendar and are set by moon sighting, so the exact day is usually confirmed only a few days before. The 2027 Islamic dates on this page are astronomical estimates and can move by a day.

Can a UAE public holiday be moved to a Monday or Friday?

Yes, except the two Eids. Since 2025 the Cabinet can move a holiday that falls midweek to the start or end of the week. In 2026 Hijri New Year moved to Monday 15 June and the Prophet's Birthday to Friday 28 August.

What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?

You do not get a replacement day. Cabinet Resolution 27 of 2024 says a holiday that falls on the weekend, or on another public holiday, is not moved to another day. In 2027, Arafat Day, Hijri New Year and the Prophet's Birthday are all expected on a Saturday or Sunday.

Do private sector employees get the same holidays as the government?

The list is the same for both sectors. The days off can differ slightly: for Eid Al Adha 2026 federal government staff were off from Monday 25 May, while MOHRE gave the private sector Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 May. MOHRE announces the private sector dates for each holiday.

Do I get paid if I work on a public holiday in the UAE?

Yes. Under Article 28 of Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021 your employer must either give you another day off for each holiday you work, or pay that day's normal wage plus at least 50% of your basic wage for the day.

Is a public holiday during my annual leave added back to my leave?

Not by law. The UAE government portal says public holidays that fall inside your annual leave count as part of that leave, unless your contract or company policy is more generous.

Are Isra'a Wal Mi'raj and Commemoration Day public holidays?

No. Neither is on the list of public holidays in Cabinet Resolution 27 of 2024, so they are not paid days off for the private sector.

Last checked: October 2026

Sources we checked every figure against:

Islamic holiday dates are set by moon sighting and private sector days off are confirmed by MOHRE before each holiday. Check the official announcement before you book travel.

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