UAE Public Holidays 2026: Official List and Key Dates

Planning ahead for your days off in 2026? The UAE has a well-defined list of public holidays each year, encompassing major religious festivities and national commemorations. According to the UAE Cabinet’s official resolution, there are 7 public holiday occasions in 2026—adding up to at least 12 days off for both public and private sector employees. These include Islamic celebrations like Eid, as well as fixed calendar events like New Year’s Day and National Day. Below, we break down the UAE public holidays 2026 by category, explain their significance, and note the expected dates and long weekends (as per official forecasts). All information is based on UAE government directives (MOHRE announcements and Cabinet decisions) to ensure accuracy.

Religious Public Holidays in UAE 2026

The UAE’s religious holidays follow the Islamic Hijri calendar, so their Gregorian dates change each year. These include Eid al-Fitr, Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha, Hijri New Year, and the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday. The exact dates are confirmed by the moon-sighting committee shortly before the holidays, but we can estimate them with astronomical calculations. Notably, under a recent law, Eid holidays cannot be moved to other days, but other Islamic holidays may be adjusted to create long weekends if they fall mid-week. Here are the official religious holidays for 2026, as per the UAE Cabinet and MOHRE, along with their expected dates:

• Eid Al Fitr (End of Ramadan) – Marks the conclusion of Ramadan. It is officially 3 days of holiday from 1 to 3 Shawwal. If Ramadan lasts 30 days (as predicted for 2026), the 29th or 30th of Ramadan is also given off, making it effectively a 4-day break. In 2026, Eid al-Fitr is expected to begin on Friday, March 20, 2026 (1 Shawwal). This would give a break from Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 22, for those on a Saturday–Sunday weekend. If Ramadan is confirmed to have 30 days, Thursday, March 19, could be an added holiday, resulting in a four-day weekend (Mar 19–22). UAE residents often celebrate Eid al-Fitr with early morning prayers, family gatherings, charitable acts, and festive events nationwide.

• Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)—Arafat Day falls on 9 Dhu al-Hijjah, followed by Eid Al Adha on 10–12 Dhu al-Hijjah. Together, they constitute 4 days of public holidays. In 2026, Arafat Day is expected on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and Eid Al Adha on Wednesday, May 27, through Friday, May 29, 2026. These dates may yield the longest break of the year—when combined with the Saturday–Sunday weekend, residents could enjoy six consecutive days off (Tue May 26 through Sunday May 31). Eid Al Adha is one of the most significant Islamic holidays, commemorating the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice; it is celebrated with prayers, sharing meals, and charitable donations. UAE tradition includes a public Wuqoof (standing) at Arafat observance on Arafat Day and three days of festivities and family visits during Eid.

• Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year)—The Hijri New Year falls on 1 Muharram, the first day of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is a 1-day public holiday in the UAE. In 2026, the Islamic New Year is expected to be on or around Tuesday, June 16, 2026 (1 Muharram 1448 AH). This date may be adjusted by authorities; under the new holiday transfer rules, if the day falls mid-week, the Cabinet might shift it to the start or end of the week to facilitate a long weekend. (For example, if 1 Muharram were a Monday or Wednesday, the day off could be moved to adjacent Tuesday or Thursday as decided.) The Islamic New Year is a more low-key observance, marking the migration (Hijra) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Mecca to Medina, and it’s a time for reflection rather than large public celebrations.

• Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Mawlid al-Nabi)—This holiday honors the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and occurs on 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal on the Hijri calendar. It is an official 1-day holiday. In 2026, the Prophet’s birthday is anticipated to fall in late August (predicted on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, according to the Hijri calendar). As with the Islamic New Year, the date is subject to moon sighting and could be shifted by the government to create a long weekend. For instance, if the expected date is Tuesday, an official announcement might move the day off to Monday or Wednesday, per the Cabinet’s discretion. Typically, this day is observed in a respectful, spiritual manner—many residents will spend time in prayer or listening to sermons about the Prophet’s life, and public events tend to be subdued.

National Public Holidays in UAE 2026

The UAE’s national holidays follow the Gregorian calendar and are fixed in date, celebrating the country’s history and civic spirit. These include New Year’s Day on January 1 and the UAE National Day (also called Eid Al Etihad, or Festival of the Union) in December. The UAE Cabinet has unified public holidays for public and private sectors since 2019, ensuring everyone enjoys the same days off. An updated law (Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024) also allows non-Eid holidays to be transferred to adjacent weekdays if they fall on awkward mid-week dates, aiming to give residents longer breaks. (For example, the uae national day holiday 2025 was rescheduled to create a four-day weekend, an early use of this new rule.) Below are the official national holidays in 2026:

• New Year’s Day – January 1, 2026 (Thursday): The first day of the Gregorian New Year is a 1-day public holiday in the UAE. All government ministries and private companies observe this day off, allowing residents to celebrate the New Year. For 2026, January 1 falls on a Thursday. By default, Thursday will be off, and work will resume on Friday. However, Friday, January 2, 2026, could be declared a holiday instead if the Cabinet decides to transfer it, which would give a long weekend from Friday to Sunday. (Such a move is optional and would be announced by officials in advance.) Typically, New Year’s in the UAE is welcomed with city-wide fireworks, events, and gatherings on the night of December 31, and the public holiday on Jan 1 allows everyone to recover or spend time with family.

• UAE National Day – December 2-3, 2026 (Wednesday & Thursday): National Day celebrates the founding of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. It’s a 2-day official holiday each year. In 2026, it will be the 55th UAE National Day anniversary. The holidays are set for Wednesday, Dec 2 and Thursday, Dec 3. This midweek placement has the potential to turn into a 4-day weekend if adjusted; for instance, authorities might shift the days off to Thursday and Friday (Dec 3-4) or announce an extra day so that employees with a Saturday–Sunday weekend can enjoy a continuous break. (In 2025, the government did something similar by moving the National Day holidays earlier, resulting in a long weekend.) During National Day (also referred to as Eid Al Etihad), the entire country lights up in celebration—except for patriotic displays, flag decorations, air shows, parades, concerts, and fireworks. It’s a time of national pride, and residents and citizens alike participate in events that honor the UAE’s union and heritage.

Planning and Observing UAE Public Holidays in 2026

With this lineup of holidays, 2026 is set to offer several opportunities for extended weekends and celebrations. Remember that Islamic holiday dates are tentative—the exact days off for Eid will be confirmed by the UAE’s Moon-sighting Committee and government circulars closer to each occasion. It’s wise to stay tuned to official sources (such as MOHRE or the UAE government portal) for announcements of the confirmed dates and any adjustments. The UAE government emphasizes that if a public holiday falls on a weekend or coincides with another holiday, it typically will not be compensated by an extra day (i.e. no “day in lieu”), unless an official decision is made to move it. Local emirate governments can also declare additional holidays for special local events, but the list above covers the federal public holidays.

In summary, the UAE public holidays 2026 schedule includes all the major religious feasts and national days as mandated by law. By planning ahead with these dates in mind, residents and visitors can make the most of the long weekends—whether it’s to travel, spend time with family, or partake in the vibrant cultural festivities across the Emirates.