UAE Public Holidays 2026: Complete Calendar

Planning your year in the UAE starts with understanding the public holiday calendar. The UAE observes a mix of fixed Gregorian calendar holidays and Islamic holidays that shift approximately 10 to 12 days earlier each year on the Western calendar due to the lunar Islamic calendar. The government typically announces confirmed dates for Islamic holidays only a few days before they occur, based on official moon-sighting committees, which can make advance planning challenging but also adds a cultural dimension that connects the modern UAE to its traditions. For the fixed holidays, the dates are known years in advance, and for the Islamic holidays, astronomical projections give us reliable expected dates that are accurate to within a day or two. This guide covers every public holiday expected in 2026, how the private and public sectors typically observe them, strategies for maximising long weekends and practical travel planning advice for each holiday period.

Fixed Public Holidays

New Year's Day: January 1

New Year's Day is a one-day public holiday observed across all sectors. It falls on a Thursday in 2026, creating a natural long weekend when combined with the Friday-Saturday weekend. This is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with hotel rates at their annual peak and flights in and out of the UAE heavily booked. If you are staying in the UAE, the New Year's Eve celebrations on December 31st are spectacular, with fireworks at the Burj Khalifa, Atlantis The Palm, JBR Beach, Dubai Festival City and multiple locations across Abu Dhabi. Book New Year's Eve dining and staycation packages at least six to eight weeks in advance. Domestic staycation rates during the New Year period range from AED 800 to 3,000 per night at major hotels. The January 1st holiday itself is a recovery day for most of the population, with malls and restaurants operating on normal hours but with a quieter-than-usual atmosphere.

Commemoration Day: November 30

Commemoration Day, also known as Martyrs' Day, honours the UAE's armed forces and citizens who have sacrificed their lives in service to the country. It falls on Monday, November 30th in 2026. The day is marked by a one-minute silence at 11:30 AM observed nationally, flag ceremonies at government buildings and military installations, and memorial events at the Wahat Al Karama memorial in Abu Dhabi. The tone of the day is solemn and reflective rather than celebratory. Most businesses close for the day. Combined with the proximity to UAE National Day on December 2nd, there is often a multi-day break that creates one of the longest holiday periods of the year outside Eid.

UAE National Day: December 2-3

National Day on December 2nd, marking the formation of the UAE federation in 1971, is the most significant patriotic celebration of the year. The government typically declares December 2nd and 3rd as public holidays. In 2026, December 2nd falls on a Wednesday, meaning the government may grant December 1st (Tuesday) as an additional holiday to create a longer break, though this is announced closer to the date. Celebrations include the Spirit of the Union show in Abu Dhabi, Burj Khalifa light shows, fireworks across all seven emirates, parades, heritage events and extensive retail promotions. The period from Commemoration Day through National Day is one of the best domestic travel windows, with hotels offering competitive rates and the weather at its most comfortable.

Plan your National Day trip to Abu Dhabi on GoProfiled →

Islamic Public Holidays (Expected Dates)

Eid Al Fitr: Expected March 30 - April 2

Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is one of the most joyous celebrations in the Islamic calendar. The holiday typically spans three to four days in the public sector and two to three days in the private sector, though generous employers may grant additional days. In 2026, Eid Al Fitr is expected around March 30th, subject to moon sighting. The private sector typically receives the first three days of Eid as public holidays. This is one of the busiest travel periods, with many residents travelling abroad to visit family. Domestic travel is also popular, with hotel staycation packages at beach and desert resorts. Malls run major Eid sales with discounts comparable to the Dubai Shopping Festival. Restaurant dining shifts from Ramadan's iftar focus to celebratory Eid brunches and buffets. Book flights and hotels at least four to six weeks in advance for the Eid period.

Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha: Expected June 5-8

Eid Al Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, is the holier of the two Eids in Islam. It coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and begins the day after Arafat Day, when pilgrims stand on the plains of Mount Arafat. In 2026, Arafat Day is expected around June 5th, with Eid Al Adha falling on June 6th through 8th. The public sector typically grants four days off including Arafat Day. The holiday is characterised by the sacrifice of livestock, communal prayers, charitable giving and extended family gatherings. Travel during Eid Al Adha is heavy, particularly to the northern emirates and Oman for cooler mountain destinations, as the holiday falls during the summer heat period. Hotels in Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Oman's Musandam Peninsula see peak occupancy during Eid Al Adha.

Islamic New Year: Expected June 26

The first day of Muharram, the Islamic New Year, is a one-day public holiday. In 2026, it is expected around June 26th. This is a relatively quiet holiday without the large-scale celebrations associated with Eid. Most businesses close for the day. It falls during the summer period, so domestic travel is limited by the heat. It is a good day for indoor activities, shopping with summer promotions and relaxed family time.

Find indoor activities at UAE malls on GoProfiled →

Prophet Muhammad's Birthday: Expected September 4

The birthday of Prophet Muhammad, known as Mawlid Al Nabi, is a one-day public holiday observed with religious reflection and community gatherings. In 2026, it is expected around September 4th, placing it at the tail end of the summer season. As with Islamic New Year, this is a quieter holiday that most people use for rest and personal time. Some mosques and cultural centres hold special lectures and events marking the occasion.

Maximising Long Weekends

Strategic Leave Planning

The UAE weekend is Saturday and Sunday. By strategically placing annual leave days around public holidays, you can create extended breaks without using excessive leave. New Year 2026 naturally creates a long weekend. Eid Al Fitr, depending on which days it falls on relative to the weekend, can create breaks of five to nine days with one or two leave days. The Commemoration Day and National Day cluster in late November and early December almost always produces an extended break of four to six days. Review the projected holiday dates at the start of the year and submit your leave requests early, as colleagues will be planning the same strategy.

Travel Tips for Holiday Periods

Domestic hotel rates during public holidays, particularly Eid and National Day, increase by 30 to 80 percent above standard rates. Booking four to six weeks in advance secures the best pricing. International flights out of the UAE during Eid periods see massive demand and price increases, particularly to the Indian subcontinent, the Philippines, Egypt and the Levant. If travelling internationally during Eid, book flights at least two to three months in advance. Within the UAE, the northern emirates and east coast offer the best holiday escape experiences — Ras Al Khaimah for mountain resorts starting from AED 500 per night, Fujairah for beach and diving from AED 400 per night, and Al Ain for desert and oasis experiences from AED 350 per night.

Book holiday staycations across the UAE on GoProfiled →

Ramadan: Not a Holiday But Essential to Understand

Working During Ramadan

Ramadan itself is not a public holiday, but the UAE Labour Law mandates that working hours during Ramadan are reduced by two hours per day for all employees, regardless of religion. This typically means a six-hour workday instead of eight. The reduced hours apply across the private and public sectors. Many businesses adjust their operating hours, with some starting and ending earlier, while others maintain normal start times but close earlier. Government services operate on reduced Ramadan hours that are published at the start of the holy month. Restaurants and cafes are prohibited from serving food in public during fasting hours (sunrise to sunset) but many operate behind screens or curtains with delivery services running as normal.

Ramadan in Daily Life

Ramadan transforms the daily rhythm of the UAE. The city is quieter during daytime and comes alive after sunset with iftar gatherings, night markets, and late-night shopping. Malls extend their evening hours, often staying open until 1 or 2 AM. Music and entertainment venues operate at reduced volume or close during Ramadan. Alcohol service in hotels and licensed venues continues but is more discreet. The most important practical consideration is respect for those fasting — eating, drinking and smoking in public during daylight hours is prohibited by law and carries fines. The atmosphere during Ramadan is one of community, generosity and reflection that many non-Muslim residents come to appreciate deeply.

Private Sector vs Public Sector Observance

The UAE government announces public holiday dates for the public sector, and the private sector is required to observe the same holidays as a minimum. However, private sector employers may grant additional days at their discretion, particularly around Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. Free zone companies and multinational firms sometimes follow international holiday calendars with local holidays added, which can result in more total days off than the government minimum. Check your employment contract and company HR policies for the specific holidays your employer observes. By law, employees who are required to work on public holidays are entitled to their regular pay plus a 50 percent premium or a compensatory day off.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many public holidays does the UAE have?

The UAE has approximately 10 to 14 public holiday days per year, depending on how multi-day holidays like Eid are allocated and whether the government grants additional bridge days. The exact number varies slightly each year based on government announcements and which days of the week the holidays fall on.

Are Islamic holiday dates confirmed in advance?

No. Islamic holiday dates are confirmed only when the relevant crescent moon is officially sighted, which happens one to two days before the holiday. Astronomical projections provide reliable estimates accurate to within one or two days, but official confirmation comes from the UAE's moon-sighting committee. This means plans should maintain a degree of flexibility around projected Islamic holiday dates.

Do all businesses close on public holidays?

Government offices, banks and most corporate businesses close on public holidays. Shopping malls, restaurants, entertainment venues, supermarkets, pharmacies and essential services generally remain open, often with extended hours during Eid and National Day periods. Small independent shops in older commercial areas may close during Eid. Hotel services operate continuously.

Can I travel within the UAE during public holidays?

Yes, and domestic travel is very popular during holiday periods. The key is advance booking, as hotels in popular destinations like Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Hatta and Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island see high occupancy during long weekends. Road traffic on inter-emirate highways is heavier on the first and last days of holiday periods. The most pleasant domestic travel experiences come from booking mid-week departures that avoid the weekend rush.