The UAE has 7 official public holiday occasions in 2026: 13 paid days for private sector staff, 14 for public sector staff (one extra Eid Al Adha day). Confirmed dates: New Year (1st January), Eid Al Fitr (19-22nd March), Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha (25/26th – 29th May), Islamic New Year (15th June), Prophet’s Birthday (28th August), National Day (2nd – 3rd December).
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total holiday occasions | 7 |
| Total paid days off | 13 (private) / 14 (public) |
| Longest break | Eid Al Adha (up to 9 days for the public sector/schools) |
| Fixed-date holidays | New Year’s Day, UAE National Day |
| Moon-sighting holidays | Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, Prophet’s Birthday |
| Governing law | Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 |
2025 vs 2026: What’s Changed
For those who are accustomed to last year’s dates, it might be helpful to make a quick comparison:
| Aspect | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Total holiday occasions | 7 | 7 |
| Total paid days (private sector) | 14 (Eid Al Fitr ran 4 days) | 13 |
| Total paid days (public sector) | 14 | 14 |
| Longest break | Eid Al Fitr (up to 7 days) | Eid Al Adha (up to 9 days) |
| New Year’s Day | Wednesday, 1 January | Thursday, 1 January |
| National Day (as observed) | Monday–Tuesday, 1–2 December (transferred) | Wednesday–Thursday, 2–3 December (fixed dates) |
Read More: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan
UAE Public Holidays 2026 List
The UAE holiday calendar 2026 is detailed below; all are official announcements from MOHRE and FAHR.
| Holiday | 2026 Date(s) | Day | Days Off (Private) | Days Off (Public) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Thursday | 1 | 1 | Confirmed |
| Eid Al Fitr | 19–22 March | Thu–Sun | 4 | 4 | Confirmed |
| Arafat Day | 26 May | Tuesday | 1 | 1 | Confirmed |
| Eid Al Adha | 27–29 May (private) / 25–29 May (public) | Wed–Fri / Mon–Fri | 3 | 5 | Confirmed |
| Islamic New Year | 15 June | Monday | 1 | 1 | Confirmed |
| Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | 28 August | Friday | 1 | 1 | Confirmed |
| UAE National Day | 2–3 December | Wed–Thu | 2 | 2 | Per Cabinet Resolution 27/2024 |
Note: Islamic holiday dates are based on confirmation by the UAE religious authorities of the moon sightings. Dates include those that have been officially confirmed for 2026.
Monthly Holiday Calendar 2026
It’s easier to understand by month which weeks of the year have a UAE public holiday.
| Month | Public Holiday(s) | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| January | New Year’s Day | Thursday, 1 January |
| February | No public holiday | — |
| March | Eid Al Fitr | Thursday 19 – Sunday 22 March |
| April | No public holiday | — |
| May | Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha | Tuesday 26 – Friday 29 May (private); Monday 25 – Friday 29 May (public) |
| June | Islamic New Year | Monday, 15 June |
| July | No public holiday | — |
| August | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | Friday, 28 August |
| September | No public holiday | — |
| October | No public holiday | — |
| November | No public holiday | — |
| December | UAE National Day | Wednesday 2 – Thursday 3 December |
Public Sector vs Private Sector Holidays
The UAE holiday calendar 2026 is largely consistent between the government and private sector, with a few exceptions of longer holidays. Here are a few comparisons side by side:
| Feature | Public Sector | Private Sector |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 day paid | 1 day paid |
| Eid Al Fitr | 4 days paid (19–22 Mar) | 4 days paid (19–22 Mar) |
| Eid Al Adha holiday | 5 days paid (25–29 May) | 4 days paid (26–29 May) |
| Eid Al Adha total break with the weekend | 9 days (23–31 May) | 6 days (26–31 May); 9 days with 1 leave day |
| Islamic New Year | 1 day paid | 1 day paid |
| Prophet’s Birthday | 1 day paid | 1 day paid |
| National Day | 2 days paid | 2 days paid |
| Total paid holiday days in 2026 | 14 days | 13 days |
| Holiday confirmed by | FAHR | MOHRE |
| Weekend transfer rule | Applies (except Eid) | Applies (except Eid) |
National Holidays
New Year’s Day is Thursday, 1 January 2026 – 1 paid day off for the whole country.
- Gregorian New Year – marks the new year (celebrated around the world)
- Fun: Games, petting zoo, or a nature hunt.Funny: A nature hunt, games, petting zoo.
- Offices, banks & schools: Closed; digital banking continues to operate
- Metro & malls: Celebration hours extended on transport and malls.
- As one of Dubai’s busiest tourist weeks, the tourist impact is a major concern.
Read More: Dr.Saniya Habboub Biography
UAE National Day
Emirates was formed 55 years ago on Wednesday, 2 December, and Thursday, 3 December 2026, which is UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad).
- History & importance: Celebrates the unification of the seven emirates in 1971, the UAE’s most important national holiday
- Celebration: Parades, fireworks, and cultural shows throughout the country.
- Banks & schools: Closed both days, but digital banking is still operating.
- Metro & malls: Additional transport around hotspots; malls conduct National Day promotions.
- Tourist impact: High hotel occupancy – make reservations at least a month in advance.
Islamic Holidays
Eid Al Fitr
Eid Al Fitr has been confirmed for Thursday, 19 March until Sunday, 22 March 2026; both secular and religious schools will have four days of break.
- History & importance: marks the end of fasting in Ramadan, one of the two major festivals of Islam.
- Gifts: Presents for Eid, Eid cards, gifts for family and friends
- Retail & supermarket shops: Open on Sundays, closed the rest of the holidays.Travel agents, clothing shops & petrol stations: Open on Sundays, closed during other holidays.
- Busier transport: Metro & malls; malls have later timings for Eid sales.
- Tourist impact: High season when tourists are visiting — book flights and accommodation in advance.
Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha
The Arafat Day was celebrated on Tuesday, 26 May, and the Eid Al Adha was celebrated thereafter. Official breaks were given to the private and public sectors:
- Private (MOHRE): 4 paid days 26–29 May (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday)
- Public (FAHR): 5 paid days 25-29 May (9-day break with weekends between)
- Private staff will be able to take the 9-day break at the same time as taking 1 leave day on Monday, 25 May.
- History & importance: It is the final day of Hajj and Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice; the longest holiday in the UAE.
- Gratitude: thanking the animals for their kindness, sharing of the meat, and coming together.
- Schools: Closed for the 9-day public sector holiday period; banks & offices: Closed throughout the holiday period
- Metro & malls: Less hustle and bustle during mid-holidays; malls run Eid.
- The best information you can find on the tourist impact of the year’s biggest travel rush is to book 6-8 weeks in advance.
Islamic New Year
Under the holiday-transfer rule, the Hijri New Year 1448 started on a Monday, which happened to be 15 June 2026.
- History & importance: It is a day of reflection, not celebration, to mark the new Islamic year (the Hijra),
- Celebration: It is prohibited to gather in mosques or pray in groups of more than two.
- Schools: Summer break on 15 June; offices & banks: closed on 15th June.
- Trains: Normal service and hours will apply.Metro & malls: Normal service and hours will apply.
- Tourist impact: Low, during the low summer travel season
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
The date of Mawlid Al Nabawi was confirmed on Friday, 28 August 2026 — a 3-day break for a Saturday – Sunday weekend.
- History & importance: To bring to mind the birth of the Prophet (saws) on the occasion of this day (12th of Rabi Al Awwal) is a day of reflection and remembrance.
- Worship: Friday prayers, Jubilee Day services, baptisms, and funerals.Service: Community events, visiting schools, medical clinics, residential homes, and retirement homes.
- Close to offices, banks & schools, which have already started their summer break on 28 August.
- Light Rail: There is normal Friday-level service and mall hours for Metro & malls.
- Tourist impact: Light, towards the end of summer heat.
Read More: Sheikh Hamdan Biography
Long Weekends in UAE 2026
There are a number of 2026 holidays that fall on the weekend, which makes it an ideal travel window. You can use one or two days of annual leave to extend a short break into a vacation!
| Holiday | Holiday Dates | + Annual Leave | Total Break |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eid Al Fitr | 19–22 March (Thu–Sun) | None needed | 4 days |
| Eid Al Adha | 23–31 May (public); 26–31 May (private) | 1 day (Mon 25 May, private only) | 9 days |
| Islamic New Year | 13–15 June (Sat–Mon, natural) | 1 day (Fri 12 June) | 4 days |
| Prophet’s Birthday | 28–30 August (Fri–Sun) | None needed | 3 days |
| National Day | 2–3 December (Wed–Thu) | 1 day (Fri 4 December) | 5 days |
The most valuable annual leave is during Eid Al Adha and National Day in 2026.
Travel Planning for UAE Holidays 2026
- Increase in flight rates 20-40% in advance of Eid & National Day — book in advance 6-8 weeks.
- Dubai and Abu Dhabi hotels are close to their maximum capacity during Eid Al Adha and National Day.
- Global Village, Museum of the Future, and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque see peak Eid crowds.
Each break is different based on the weather conditions:
| Holiday Period | Typical Weather | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| New Year (Jan) | 18–25°C, mild and dry | Beach days, outdoor dining, desert camping |
| Eid Al Fitr (Mar) | 22–29°C, pleasant | Sightseeing, theme parks, outdoor events |
| Eid Al Adha (May) | 32–40°C, hot | Indoor malls, museums, and early-morning outings |
| Islamic New Year (Jun) | 35–42°C, very hot | Indoor attractions, waterparks, staycations |
| Prophet’s Birthday (Aug) | 38–45°C, peak summer heat | Air-conditioned malls, indoor entertainment |
| National Day (Dec) | 18–24°C, cool and pleasant | Desert safaris, outdoor festivals, and beaches |
How Public Holiday Pay Works
Pay rules are on top of the dates of holidays as stipulated by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
- No work: Full normal salary for such a day.
- Worked a substitute rest day and at least 50% pay premium on the hours worked.
- The principles apply to part-time and shift staff on a pro-rata basis.
- MOHRE has an official app and hotline for disputes regarding pay.
UAE Public Holiday Rules
The setting and transfer of Holidays are provided for in Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. For all leave entitlements, please refer to our UAE Labour Law Guide.
- Private sector: holidays are determined by MOHRE and applied to all eligible employees.
- Public sector: FAHR confirms dates, sometimes with longer breaks than the private sector.
- Most of the holidays can be moved to the nearest weekday if they occur on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, except for Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha.
- Work on a holiday: employees required to work are entitled to overtime pay or a day off in lieu.
Official confirmation of all Islamic holidays can only be made by MOHRE, FAHR, or the UAE Government Media Office.
What UAE Residents Should Know
- Schools: Closed on all confirmed school holidays (See our UAE School Holidays guide for dates).
- Government offices and banks: closed, except online banking.
- Visa services: typing centres close — see our UAE Visa Guide.
- Public transport: Metro and buses operate all over — find our Dubai Metro Timings and Nol Card Guide.
- Malls: open, sometimes with extended hours on Eid and National Day.
- Emirates ID renewals: book appointments before a holiday week — see our Emirates ID Guide.
Read More:
Final Thoughts
As each 2026 holiday gets confirmed, residents and tourists can now plan their travel and leave with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Eid Al Fitr in the UAE in 2026?
According to the official moon sighting, Eid Al Fitr 2026 in the UAE is scheduled to start from Thursday, 19 March to Sunday, 22 March.
Which UAE holiday is the longest in 2026?
Eid Al Adha is the longest, with public sector workers and students getting nine days off from 23 May to 31 May.
Are UAE public holidays paid for all employees?
Yes. According to the UAE Labour Law, every eligible worker in the public and private sectors is entitled to receive 100% of their salary on official public holidays.
Is the UAE National Day a public holiday for everyone?
Yes. The national holiday on 2–3 December 2026 is for both government employees and those in the private sector.
How many public holidays does the UAE have in 2026?
The UAE has 7 official holidays in 2026 (13 holidays for private sector employees and 14 for public sector employees).
Are Islamic holiday dates fixed in advance?
Islamic holidays are not based on a lunar calendar and cannot be determined without an official moon sighting.
Will UAE banks remain open on public holidays?
No. The branches are closed, but online banking and ATMs are operating as normal, as are mobile apps.
Are schools closed on public holidays?
Yes. All public and private schools will adhere to the official calendar of holidays and will be closed on designated holidays.
Can UAE public holiday dates still change?
Yes, Islamic holidays can move ahead or back a day based on moon sighting or a decision by the Cabinet.
What happens if a holiday falls on a weekend?
Most holidays will be moved to a weekday, except for Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, according to Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024.
Do public and private sector employees get the same number of holidays?
Nearly – Private sector employees would take 13 paid days off in 2026, and public sector workers would take 14, with one additional Eid Al Adha day.
What if I’m required to work on a public holiday?
You will have a substitute rest day and a premium of 50% pay for the hours worked.
