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UAE Public Holidays 2025 – Complete List of Official Dates

Everyone seeks the new year calendar, and the first thing they do is to see the number of holidays they have. With that holiday’s impact, people start their new year. Moreover, holidays are essential for professionals like HR, managing directors, and higher officials in planning their business workplace efficiency. The regulations of leaves and policies are framed based on the UAE public holidays listed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation in the United Arab Emirates.

List of UAE Public Holidays 2025

The UAE offers job opportunities to people from around the world. While individuals from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds work in the UAE, the majority of the population is Muslim, and Islam is the official religion. Employers in the United Arab Emirates regulate the work schedule based on public holidays, which are determined using the Hijri calendar. This allows for celebrating important Islamic festivals such as Ramadan, Eid, and Hajj.

*Subject to moon sighting means that these dates may vary depending on the official lunar observations in the UAE.

1. New Year (Gregorian January 1, 2025)

According to the Gregorian calendar, the new year (January 1, 2025) was declared a public holiday in the UAE. Employees of both public and private sectors are eligible for this leave. It has been celebrated in all parts of the United Arab Emirates. Massive celebrations include music concerts, lighting, live dance, special dinners, and parties. The fireworks celebration in Bhurj Khalifa is a notable one around the world.

2. Eid Al Fitr (Shawwal 1-3) – March 30 to April 1 (Subject to moon sighting)

Eid Al Fitr signifies the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. It is celebrated with communal prayers, festive meals, and acts of charity, fostering a sense of community and generosity among Muslims, while embodying joy and gratitude.

3. Arafat Day (Dhu Al-hijjah 9) – June 7 (Subject to Moon Sighting)

Arafat Day, which occurs just before Eid Al Adha, plays a significant role in the Islamic calendar, particularly in relation to the Hajj pilgrimage. This important day is marked by prayers and moments of reflection, serving as a time to honor Prophet Muhammad’s Farewell Sermon delivered at Mount Arafat. It encourages individuals to engage in deep spiritual contemplation and enhances their understanding of faith.

4. Eid Al Adha (Dhu Al-hijjah 10-12) – June 8 to 10 (Subject to Moon Sighting)

Following Arafat Day, the end of the pilgrimage is known as Eid Al Adha; it lasts from June 8 to 10. Eid Al Adha day is celebrated, and the sacrifices made by Ibrahim are remembered at the command of Allah. Without a doubt, Ibrahim sacrificed his son to Allah by the command of the Almighty. In recognizing this, animals are sacrificed on the day of Eid Al Adha by Muslims worldwide. The fortunate family that sacrifices animals should divide the meat into 3 equal parts; the family eats one part, and the remaining 2 parts should be given to people experiencing poverty. The public holiday accounts for four days this year, as declared by the UAE government.

5. Islamic New Year (Muharram 1) – July 25 (Subject to Moon Sighting)

In UAE, people celebrate the Hijri New Year more than the Gregorian New Year. The date of the Hijri New Year changes yearly according to the Gregorian calendar. The Islamic is also known as the Hijri New Year. Based on the Hijri calendar, the Islamic New Year is celebrated. The Hijri calendar is known as the lunar calendar, and it does not correspond with the Gregorian calendar as it is a solar-based calendar.

The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of the Hijri year, inviting Muslims to reflect on both the past and future. This special day is cherished through prayer and contemplation, celebrating new beginnings in the Islamic calendar with hope and positivity for what lies ahead.

6. Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Rabi’ Al-awwal 12) – September 10 (Subject to Moon Sighting)

Rabi Al Awwal, Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, is celebrated every year on September 10. It is generally called “Milad un Nabi.” It is considered a public holiday in the UAE and most other countries where most of the population is Muslim. September 10, 2025 is a public holiday for public and private sector employees.

7. Commemoration Day – December 1.

Commemoration Day commemorates the heroes who sacrificed their lives in the war for the nation. One notable hero is Emirati martyr Salem Suhail bin Khamis. To remember them, The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation of the United Emirate of Arab declared December 1 a public holiday every year.

8. UAE National Day – December 2 to 3

The United Arab National Day has been celebrated since 1968. On December 2, the Arab countries gained independence from British rule and formed the United Arab Emirates. Every December 2, a massive celebration is hosted for Independence Day, including fireworks and cultural and traditional programs. So, every December 2 is considered a public holiday in the UAE.

*Subject to moon sighting means that these dates may vary depending on the official lunar observations in the UAE.

Importance of the Hijri Calendar in Determining Public Holidays in UAE

The Hijri calendar is used by Muslims in the UAE for religious observances, with public holidays based on this calendar. The weekend is Friday and Saturday, and the workweek runs from Sunday to Thursday. The Gregorian calendar is used for business purposes.

Who Decides the Public Holidays in the United Arab Emirates?

In the United Arab Emirates, public holidays are declared by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. The holidays they announce apply to the employees of both public and private sectors; all educational institutions and other industries and private organizations are also entitled to have the holidays. Academic institutions are also applicable to the public holidays of the UAE. Suppose daily wage workers or any other minor workers are subjected to work on public holidays. In that case, the employer should provide alternate holidays for them, or they have to pay them for working on public holidays.

Why Do HRs and Organizations Need to Know the Public Holidays List in the UAE?

Knowing holidays is crucial when formulating and planning the year’s activities. Everyone has a plan and thoughts based on the holidays of the year. Apart from employees and students, the Human Resources, managing directors, and other higher authorities of an organization must know the public holidays of the financial and academic year. They are responsible for framing the organization’s policies and leaves and allocating work, events, and meetings based on the UAE public holidays.

Observing Public Holidays in the UAE

The start of a new calendar year fills us with joy, as holidays celebrate the meaningful moments in our lives. For students, these days provide a wonderful opportunity to unwind, while adults eagerly look forward to vacations and social gatherings.

Public holidays are vital in Human Resources for crafting leave policies and planning exciting activities. To further streamline holiday planning, utilizing an advanced HR software solution can help automatically track these dates, ensuring your team stays informed, engaged, and productive all year long.

How Many Public Holidays Will there be in the UAE in 2025?

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation of the UAE has announced that there will be 8 public holidays in 2025, benefiting employees in both the public and private sectors, as well as those in educational institutions.

Are Public Holidays Applicable for Private Sector Employees in the UAE?

The United Arab Emirates will have 8 public holidays in 2025. The UAE public holidays are declared by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and apply to all private-sector employees. If daily wage workers come to work on public days, they are given an off on other days.

What is the Difference Between the Hijri and the Gregorian Calendar?

The Gregorian calendar has been used worldwide, while Islamic people use the Hijri calendar to celebrate religious occasions. The Hijri calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, 29 and 30 days per month. The Islamic people use the Hijri calendar for religious occasions and the Gregorian calendar for commercial and agricultural purposes. The Gregorian calendar is solar, while the Hijri calendar is based on the lunar calendar.

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