Complete Guide to Public Holidays in the United Arab Emirates for 2026

The United Arab Emirates adopts a sophisticated system of public holidays that combines Islamic religious occasions with national celebrations, alongside the Gregorian New Year.

 According to Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024 concerning public holidays in the state, the total number of official holidays is approximately 13-14 days distributed across seven main occasions covering both the public and private sectors. The year 2026 is distinguished by the possibility of enjoying extended breaks that can reach up to six consecutive days, especially with the implementation of the holiday transfer system that came into effect in January 2025.

Federal Cabinet Resolution

Based on the Constitution and Federal Decrees, the Cabinet issued Resolution No. (27) of 2024, which specified public holidays for both public and private sectors in the state. The resolution allows for the transfer of public holidays—except for Eid holidays—to the beginning or end of the week to create longer breaks for citizens and residents. The resolution also grants local governments the authority to determine additional holidays specific to their government departments and affiliated institutions based on occasions related to them.

Official Holidays for 2026

New Year’s Day

Both public and private sectors in the UAE celebrate New Year’s Day with an official holiday on January 1, 2026, which falls on a Thursday. This holiday is transferable, and if the government decides to move it to Friday, January 2, residents will enjoy a three-day extended break, including the weekend. Employees can take a four-day break by using their annual leave balance to take Friday off.

Eid Al Fitr

Eid Al Fitr is one of the most significant religious occasions celebrated in the state, with an official holiday extending for three days from Shawwal 1 to 3. The holiday is expected to fall from Friday, March 20, to Sunday, March 22/2026, depending on the moon sighting, giving residents an extended three-day break. If the month of Ramadan completes 30 days, day 30 of Ramadan is added as an additional official holiday to the Eid Al Fitr holiday. Employees can enjoy a holiday of up to seven days by taking leave from their annual balance for March 16-19.

Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha

Arafah Day, which falls on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah, is considered the holiest day in Islam and is granted as an official holiday in the UAE. Arafah Day is expected to be Tuesday, May 26/2026, followed by Eid Al Adha, which extends for three days from May 27 to 29 (Wednesday-Friday).          This period forms the longest expected official break in 2026, as it can be combined with the weekend to obtain six consecutive days of rest. These holidays are not transferable, and their dates depend on the moon sighting.

Hijri New Year

Muslims in the UAE celebrate the Hijri New Year on the first of Muharram with an official holiday.                It is expected to fall on Tuesday, June 16/2026, according to astronomical calculations and moon sighting. This holiday is transferable, and the Cabinet may issue a decision to move it to the beginning or end of the week to provide a longer break for employees. Employees who take leave on Monday, June 15, can enjoy an extended four-day break.

Prophet’s Birthday

The UAE celebrates the Prophet’s Birthday on the twelfth of Rabi Al Awwal with an official holiday for one day. It is expected to fall on Tuesday, August 25/2026, depending on the moon sighting. This holiday is transferable by Cabinet resolution, and if transferred, it can be combined with the weekend. Employees can take leave on Monday, August 24, to obtain a four-day consecutive break, including the weekend.

National Day (Eid Al Etihad)

Emiratis celebrate on December 2 every year the anniversary of the establishment of the United Arab Emirates union in 1971 with an official holiday extending for two days on December 2 and 3.        In 2026, this holiday falls on Wednesday and Thursday and is transferable by Cabinet resolution. If officially transferred, it can turn into an extended four-day break. Employees can obtain a holiday of up to nine days by taking leave on November 30, December 1, and December 4 from their annual balance.

Holiday Transfer System

A new system came into effect in January 2025 that allows certain public holidays to be transferred to the beginning or end of the week when they fall mid-week. This system aims to enable residents to enjoy longer, continuous breaks, but it does not apply to Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha holidays. This system was applied for the first time in December 2025 when the National Day holiday was moved from December 2-3 (Tuesday and Wednesday) to December 1-2 (Monday and Tuesday) to provide an extended four-day break.

Important Notes

All Islamic occasions depend on the moon sighting, and their Gregorian dates may differ by one or two days depending on the religious sighting. The latest astronomical calculations are used to estimate the expected dates of religious holidays for planning purposes only. A public holiday cannot be transferred to another day if it coincides with another public holiday or falls on the weekend. Local governments in the Emirates can determine additional holidays specific to their government departments and public institutions on occasions related to them.