UAE Holidays 2026: Complete List of Emirates Public Holidays
Table of Contents
The UAE is a land of celebrations, but how does the government maintain a healthy work-life balance? The United Arab Emirates comprises a blend of Islamic holidays that follow the lunar Hijri calendar. Its community focuses more on faith, and some of the key festivals include Eid al-Fitr (marking the end of Ramadan with 3-5 days of prayer) and the Islamic New Year.
Islamic holidays like these shift their dates each year on the Gregorian (solar) calendar, which creates a sense of unpredictability. This blog provides a detailed breakdown of the UAE public holidays, presented in table format to help individuals plan their holidays.
List of UAE Public Holidays 2026
- New Year – January 1st (Thursday)
- Eid Al Fitr – March 20 to March 22 (Friday to Sunday)
- Arafat Day – May 26 (Tuesday)
- Eid Al Adha – May 27 to May 29 (Wednesday to Friday)
- Islamic New Year – June 15 (Monday, but the official day to fall on Tuesday, June 16, holiday moved to start of the week)
- Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday – August 24 (Monday, but official day to fall on Tuesday, August 25, holiday moved to start of the week)
- Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day or Emirates National Day) – December 2 to 3 (Wednesday to Thursday)
UAE Holiday 2026 Calendar Table
| Sr. No. | Holiday | Predicted Dates | Day(s) of Week | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Year’s Day | January 1 | Thursday | Fixed Gregorian holiday |
| 2 | Eid al-Fitr | March 20-22 | Friday-Sunday | 3 days; end of Ramadan, non-transferable |
| 3 | Arafat Day | May 26 | Tuesday | Precedes Eid al-Adha |
| 4 | Eid al-Adha | May 27-29 | Wednesday-Friday | 3 days; Feast of Sacrifice |
| 5 | Islamic New Year | June 16 (or June 15) | Tuesday (or Mon) | May shift for the long weekend |
| 6 | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | August 25 (or August 24) | Tuesday (or Mon) | May shift for the long weekend |
| 7 | UAE National Day / Emirates National Day | December 2-3 | Wednesday-Thursday | Celebrates union formation |
UAE Public Holidays 2026: Date-Wise Explanation
New Year’s Day (January 1)
New Year’s Day, which marks the start of the Gregorian calendar year, is a public holiday for both the public and private sectors. Individuals use this holiday to celebrate with their friends and family, which includes fireworks at landmarks (Burj Khalifa) and other special events.
Eid Al Fitr (March 20-22)
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is one of the most important Islamic holidays in the UAE. Muslims attend Eid prayers along with family visits and exchange of gifts (Eidiya or Eidi).
Arafat Day (May 26)
Arafat Day is celebrated on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, which is the last month of the Islamic calendar. It is a public holiday, which is a day of reflection and fasting for devotees.
Eid Al Adha (May 27-29)
Eid Al Adha is celebrated to remember Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah. This occasion is also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” and devotees perform Eid prayers.
Islamic New Year (June 16)
The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of the Hijri lunar calendar year. It is a United Arab Emirates public holiday, which celebrates the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Makkah to Madinah.
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (August 25)
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, also known as Mawlid Al Nabi, celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. It is a public holiday for muslims as they gather around for sermons and Quran recitations highlighting the Prophet’s life and teachings.
Commemoration Day (December 1)
Commemoration Day is celebrated in honor of the sacrifices and dedication of Emirati martyrs who lost their lives in the line of duty. This holiday is famous for its official ceremonies and national events that pay tribute to the martyrs.
Emirates National Day (Eid Al Etihad) (December 2-3)
Emirates National Day is celebrated to remember the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 and the union of the seven emirates. This is one of the most important UAE public holidays, celebrated with fireworks and decorations across the country.
Conclusion
It is important to plan for emirates public holidays, as organizations might face challenges in leave management. This way, it helps teams collaborate easily and plan to boost employee engagement.
Companies can use factoHR HR management system to simplify holiday tracking, and employees can submit leave requests through an ESS portal. factoHR can help ensure compliance with UAE labor laws and maintain a smooth workflow during peaks. Automation can prevent any disruptions and support a work-life balance.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Holidays in the UAE
What are the Public Holidays in the UAE in 2026?
Some of the united arab emirates public holidays in 2026 include:
- New Year’s Day on January 1
- Eid al-Fitr from March 20-22
- Arafat Day on May 26
- Eid al-Adha from May 27-29
- Islamic New Year on June 16
- Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday on August 25
- Emirates National Day on December 2-3
How do Moon Sightings Affect Islamic Holidays?
Moon sightings decide the start of lunar months for holidays like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. This is known by using the Hijri calendar, and the UAE committees use telescopes and public reports after sunset to confirm the crescent moon.
How to Maximize Your UAE Holidays?
Employees can combine public holidays with weekends and annual leave to maximize their holiday entitlement. It is advised to plan early by marking holidays and checking weekends, which helps in submitting leave requests in advance.
Are Dubai’s Public Holidays Different from those of Other Emirates?
Public holidays are uniform across the UAE emirates, which are set by federal Cabinet resolutions. There are no major differences for Dubai, and all observe the same national/Islamic dates.
What’s the Best Way to Plan to Leave around Eid?
Individuals can plan leave around Eid by noticing moon sightings and public announcements. This will align leave with weekends, for example, employees can take days around Eid al-Fitr or al-Adha to extend their breaks by up to 12 days.
What if a Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend in UAE?
There are no additional days off given if a public holiday falls on a Thursday-Friday weekend. The UAE Labour Law confirmed that the weekend stays unchanged without compensation.
What is the Next Upcoming Holiday in UAE (as of January 2026)?
As of January 2026, the next holiday after New Year’s Day (January 1) is Eid al-Fitr, which occurs in late March 2026.
How Many Emirates Public Holidays are there each Year?
The emirates have 7-14 official public holidays each year. This includes fixed national days and variable Islamic ones.
What Makes UAE National Holidays Unique?
The celebrations include fireworks and traditional dances like Al Ayala, which highlight the culture. There are events of falconry and camel parades, as well.
Why is UAE National Day Now Called Eid Al Etihad?
As of late 2024, the UAE officially renamed the National Day celebrations to ‘Eid Al Etihad’ (Festival of the Union). This change highlights the country’s Arabic heritage and the values of unity and identity established during the unification of the emirates in 1971.
How Holidays Differ Across Emirates (Focus on Dubai Public Holidays)
Holidays across the UAE, including Dubai, align with federal law. This ensures consistency for national and religious holidays like Eid and National Day.
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