Public Holidays in the United Arab Emirates are important for residents, employees, businesses, and travellers planning their schedules in advance. Public holidays are also connected to employee rights and workplace regulations under UAE labour law. This guide covers the UAE public holiday dates for 2026, 2027, and 2028, including national celebrations, Islamic holidays, and other officially recognised occasions.
Some Islamic holiday dates may vary depending on moon sighting and official government announcements.
Quick Links
2026 Public Holidays in the UAE
The following table provides the Public Holidays in the United Arab Emirates for 2026, helping residents and businesses plan their schedules in advance.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Thu | New Year’s Day |
| 18 Mar | Wed | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| 19 Mar | Thu | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| 20 Mar | Fri | Eid al-Fitr |
| 21 Mar | Sat | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| 22 Mar | Sun | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| 26 May | Tue | Arafat Day |
| 27 May | Wed | Eid al-Adha |
| 28 May | Thu | Eid al-Adha Holiday |
| 29 May | Fri | Eid al-Adha Holiday |
| 16 Jun | Tue | Islamic New Year |
| 25 Aug | Tue | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday |
| 2 Dec | Wed | National Day |
| 3 Dec | Thu | National Day Holiday |
The official 2026 public holiday dates have been released by the UAE government. For the original announcement, visit gov.ae.
2027 Public Holidays in the UAE
The following table lists the expected Public Holidays in the United Arab Emirates for 2027.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| 1 Jan | Fri | New Year’s Day |
| 8 Mar | Mon | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| 9 Mar | Tue | Eid al-Fitr |
| 10 Mar | Wed | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| 11 Mar | Thu | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| 15 May | Sat | Arafat Day |
| 16 May | Sun | Eid al-Adha |
| 17 May | Mon | Eid al-Adha Holiday |
| 18 May | Tue | Eid al-Adha Holiday |
| 6 Jun | Sun | Islamic New Year |
| 14 Aug | Sat | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday |
| 2 Dec | Thu | National Day |
| 3 Dec | Fri | National Day Holiday |
The dates listed for 2027 are estimates. This page will be updated once the official UAE public holiday dates for 2027 are announced.
2028 Public Holidays in the UAE
These estimated Public Holidays in the United Arab Emirates for 2028 may be updated after official government announcements.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
| 1 Jan | Sat | New Year’s Day |
| 26 Feb | Sat | Eid al-Fitr |
| 27 Feb | Sun | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| 28 Feb | Mon | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| 29 Feb | Tue | Eid al-Fitr Holiday |
| 5 May | Fri | Eid al-Adha |
| 6 May | Sat | Eid al-Adha Holiday |
| 7 May | Sun | Eid al-Adha Holiday |
| 25 May | Thu | Islamic New Year |
| 4 Jun | Sun | Arafat Day |
| 3 Aug | Thu | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday |
| 2 Dec | Sat | National Day |
| 3 Dec | Sun | National Day Holiday |
The dates listed for 2028 are estimates. This page will be updated once the official UAE public holiday dates for 2028 are announced.
About Public Holidays in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates observes several public holidays each year. These include fixed-date holidays such as New Year’s Day and UAE National Day, as well as Islamic holidays that are based on the Hijri calendar.
Public Holidays in the United Arab Emirates include several official holidays each year, including fixed-date national occasions and Islamic holidays based on the Hijri calendar.
Because Islamic holidays depend on moon sighting, some dates may be confirmed closer to the actual holiday period.
Planning Around UAE Public Holidays
Public holidays are a great opportunity to plan family time, travel, short breaks, or business closures. Residents, employees, and businesses are advised to check official announcements for confirmed dates, especially for Eid holidays and other Islamic occasions.
Final Thoughts on UAE Public Holidays
Planning ahead for the Public Holidays in the United Arab Emirates can help residents, employees, and businesses organise travel, leave requests, family events, and work schedules. While fixed-date holidays are easier to predict, Islamic holiday dates may change depending on moon sighting and official announcements. Always check the latest UAE government updates before making important arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is UAE National Day?
UAE National Day is celebrated every year on 2 December. A National Day holiday is also usually observed on 3 December.
Are Eid holiday dates fixed every year?
No. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha dates follow the Islamic Hijri calendar and may vary depending on moon sighting and official confirmation.
Where can I check official UAE holiday announcements?
Official UAE public holiday announcements are usually published by the UAE government through official channels, including gov.ae.