These are all the public holidays you can look forward to in the UAE next year.
We’ve just come back from a long weekend, the last one for 2025, and now everyone’s already looking to plan their holidays for the next. Dates for 2026 public holidays have been announced, so you can plan your vacations because the year ahead promises not only a generous number of UAE public holidays but also some extended weekends. Read on to find out when the next UAE public holiday is in 2026.
1 January 2026: New Year’s Day
The year kicks off with a one-day break on Thursday, 1 January 2026. This holiday gives everyone the perfect opportunity to ring in the New Year with celebrations and perhaps a bit of recovery from the previous night’s festivities. But if the UAE Cabinet decides to move it to Friday, 2 January, 2026, you get a long weekend.
20 to 22 March 2026 (TBC): Eid Al Fitr
The end of Ramadan marks Eid Al Fitr, which commences on the 29th day of Ramadan and continues until the 3rd day of Shawwal. If Ramadan lasts 29 days, Eid Al Fitr is expected to begin on Friday, 20 March 2026, giving residents only three days off, including the weekend. But if Ramadan lasts 30 days, Eid Al Fitr will likely begin on Saturday, 21 March 2026, extending the break to three days again.
26 to 29 May 2026 (TBC): Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha
Marking the holiest day in Islam, Arafat Day, and the subsequent celebration of Eid Al Adha gives you a SIX-day weekend. Arafat Day is observed on 9 Dhu Al Hijjah, followed by Eid Al Adha from 10 to 12 Dhu Al Hijjah. Arafat Day is expected to fall on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, and Eid Al Adha will begin on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, and continue until Friday, 29 May 2026. Combine this with the weekend, and you’ll potentially have a six-day-long weekend – marking the longest one in 2026.
16 June 2026 (TBC): Islamic New Year
The Islamic New Year, which begins on 1 Muharram, offers another public holiday. In 2026, this is expected to fall on Tuesday, 16 June. If this is moved to Monday, 15 June, you can expect another long weekend.
25 August 2026 (TBC): Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH)
The birthday of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is also observed as a public holiday on 12 Rabi ul Awwal. Expected to fall on Tuesday, 25 September 2026, you can anticipate a day off to observe the occasion or a long weekend if the leave is moved to Monday, 24 September 2026.
2 to 3 December 2025: Eid Al Etihad
End the year with an extended celebration for Eid Al Etihad. Eid Al Etihad will fall on Wednesday, 2 December 2026, along with Thursday, 3 December 2026, meaning two days off mid-week. But if moved, you can expect another four-day long weekend.
While the public holidays in relation to the Islamic calendar have been announced, it’s important to note that these dates are currently tentative. Exact dates will be announced closer to the holidays, based on the moon sighting. Until then, get planning.
GO: Visit www.mohre.gov.ae for more information.