UAE celebrated Eid Al Fitr last weekend, which ran from March 19 to 22, the country’s first major breather of 2026. As of today, residents across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the Northern Emirates are back at their desks with festival memories still fresh. Now, the obvious next question that comes to our mind is: when are the next public holidays in the UAE holiday calendar 2026? The answer is that the remainder of 2026 holds at least eight more public holiday days. Including a potential six-day mega-break around Eid Al Adha in late May.
Complete UAE Public Holiday Calendar: 2026
Below is every federal public holiday for the year, incorporating the latest government forecasts and moon-sighting projections from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD). Islamic dates remain subject to crescent confirmation.
UAE Public Holidays
All confirmed and expected dates for the year — at least 12 official days off across public and private sectors.
| Holiday | Expected Dates | Day(s) | Duration | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Jan 1 (Thu) | Thursday | 1 day | Both |
| Eid Al Fitr | Mar 19 – 22 | Thu – Sun | 4 days ✦ | Public: 4 / Private: 3+1 +1 if Ramadan = 30 days |
| Arafat Day | May 26 (Tue) | Tuesday | 1 day | Both |
| Eid Al Adha | May 27 – 29 (Wed – Fri) | Wed – Fri | 3 days | Both |
| Islamic New Year | Jun 15 or 16 (Mon/Tue) | Mon / Tue | 1 day | Both Transfer likely |
| Prophet’s Birthday | Aug 24 or 25 (Mon/Tue) | Mon / Tue | 1 day | Both Transfer likely |
| Commemoration Day | Nov 30 (Mon) | Monday | 1 day | Both |
| UAE National Day | Dec 2 – 3 (Wed – Thu) | Wed – Thu | 2 days | Both |
What’s Next: The Five Holidays Still Ahead
1. Arafat Day + Eid Al Adha
This is the headline holiday of the year. Arafat Day falls on Tuesday, May 26, followed by three days of Eid Al Adha from Wednesday, May 27, to Friday, May 29. Factor in Saturday and Sunday, and residents are looking at six consecutive days off without touching a single day of annual leave. That Tuesday-to-Sunday window is the longest unbroken public holiday stretch in the 2026 calendar.
For those willing to use one day of annual leave on Monday, May 25, the total extends to a full seven-day break. Two days of leave (adding Monday, June 1, if your weekend is Sat–Sun) could stretch it to eight.
2. Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year)
The first day of Muharram 1448 AH is projected to land on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, single-day holidays that fall mid-week can be transferred to the start or end of the working week. If transferred to Monday, June 15, this creates a three-day weekend (Friday–Sunday + Monday).
3. Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH)
The 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal is expected on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The same transfer logic applies: authorities may shift the day off to Monday, August 24, producing another three-day weekend. This falls during the quieter summer period, making it ideal for staycation deals or a short getaway before the school year picks up pace in September.
4. Commemoration Day
Formerly called Martyrs’ Day, Commemoration Day is on Monday, November 30. This holiday honours UAE citizens who sacrificed their lives in military, civil, and humanitarian service. Falling on a Monday, it naturally connects to the preceding weekend to create a three-day break with no transfer needed. It also sits just two days before UAE National Day, meaning strategic leave-takers can bridge the gap for an even longer end-of-year wind-down.
5. UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)
December 2 and 3 fall on Wednesday and Thursday in 2026, marking the 55th anniversary of the federation. With the weekend following on Friday–Saturday (for those on that schedule) or Saturday–Sunday, most workers will enjoy a four-day break. Taking Friday, December 4, off extends it to five. Combine with Commemoration Day (Nov 30) and just two days of annual leave (Dec 1 and Dec 4) yields a seven-day unbroken holiday from Saturday, November 28, through Friday, December 5.
The Bottom Line
The UAE public holiday calendar 2026 is unusually generous. Between the six-day Eid Al Adha window, mid-week transfers for the Islamic New Year and the Prophet’s Birthday. Moreover, the Commemoration Day–National Day year-end cluster has multiple opportunities to extend breaks well beyond the official gazette.
All you have to do is watch for FAHR and MoHRE circulars as each holiday approaches. Lock in annual leave on the days that bridge weekends to holidays, and keep your passport current. The next major break is that six-day Eid Al Adha stretch in late May, which is just nine weeks away.
Images: Canva
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