UAE Public Holidays 2026: What You Need to Know
The UAE has 13 days of public holidays in 2026, giving employees and businesses ample opportunities for rest and celebration. For HR professionals, understanding these dates is essential for payroll planning, leave management, and ensuring compliance with UAE labor law.
This guide provides the complete 2026 holiday calendar, HR planning tips, and answers to frequently asked questions about holiday entitlements.
Complete UAE Public Holiday Calendar 2026
Here is the full list of public holidays for the UAE in 2026:
New Year's Day
- Date: January 1, 2026
- Day: Thursday
- Coverage: Public & Private Sectors
Eid Al Fitr
- Dates: March 20-22, 2026*
- Days: Friday-Sunday (3 days)
- Coverage: Public & Private Sectors
Arafat Day
- Date: May 26, 2026*
- Day: Tuesday
- Coverage: Public & Private Sectors
Eid Al Adha
- Dates: May 27-29, 2026*
- Days: Wednesday-Friday (3 days)
- Coverage: Public & Private Sectors
Islamic New Year
- Date: June 16, 2026*
- Day: Tuesday
- Coverage: Public & Private Sectors
Prophet's Birthday (Mawlid Al Nabi)
- Date: August 25, 2026*
- Day: Tuesday
- Coverage: Public & Private Sectors
UAE National Day
- Dates: December 2-3, 2026
- Days: Wednesday-Thursday (2 days)
- Coverage: Public & Private Sectors
*Islamic holiday dates are approximate and subject to moon sighting confirmation.
Islamic Holidays 2026
Islamic holidays follow the Hijri lunar calendar, which means their Gregorian dates shift each year. The UAE government officially confirms these dates based on moon sighting announcements.
Eid Al Fitr 2026
Expected dates: March 20-22, 2026 (3 days)
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. Employees typically receive 3 days of paid leave. The exact dates will be confirmed by the UAE Moon Sighting Committee shortly before Ramadan ends.
HR Planning Tip: Prepare for reduced productivity in the week before Eid as employees complete Ramadan observances.
Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha 2026
Expected dates: May 26-29, 2026 (4 days)
Arafat Day commemorates the day pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat during Hajj. Eid Al Adha follows, celebrating the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son.
- Arafat Day: May 26 (Tuesday)
- Eid Al Adha: May 27-29 (Wednesday-Friday)
Islamic New Year 2026
Expected date: June 16, 2026 (1 day)
The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar (1448 Hijri). This is a day of reflection for Muslims.
Prophet's Birthday (Mawlid Al Nabi) 2026
Expected date: August 25, 2026 (1 day)
This holiday commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and is observed with religious gatherings and charitable activities.
Fixed Holidays 2026
New Year's Day
Date: January 1, 2026 (Thursday)
The first day of the Gregorian calendar year is a public holiday across all sectors in the UAE.
UAE National Day
Date: December 2-3, 2026 (Wednesday-Thursday)
UAE National Day celebrates the formation of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971. The two-day holiday is marked by celebrations, fireworks, and national pride events across all seven emirates.
Long Weekend Opportunities in 2026
Strategic leave planning can help employees maximize their time off. Here are the best opportunities in 2026:
January Long Weekend
- Take Friday January 2 off
- Get 4 consecutive days (January 1-4)
Eid Al Fitr Extended Break
- Eid falls Friday-Sunday (March 20-22)
- Take Monday-Thursday off (March 16-19)
- Get 9 consecutive days off
Eid Al Adha Extended Break
- Arafat Day on Tuesday (May 26)
- Eid Al Adha ends Friday (May 29)
- Take Monday off (May 25) and weekend
- Get 9 consecutive days off
UAE National Day Extended Break
- National Day on Wednesday-Thursday (December 2-3)
- Take Friday off (December 4)
- Get 5 consecutive days off
Pro Tip: With just 9 days of annual leave strategically placed around public holidays, employees can enjoy up to 38 days off throughout 2026.
HR Planning Guide for 2026 Holidays
Payroll Considerations
Holiday Pay Requirements:
- Employees who work on public holidays are entitled to 150% of their basic salary, OR
- One day off in lieu plus 50% of basic salary
Calculating Holiday Pay:
- Determine daily rate: Monthly basic salary ÷ 30
- For work on holidays: Daily rate × 1.5
Managing Leave During Peak Periods
- Advance Planning: Request leave applications 30+ days before major holidays
- Fair Rotation: Implement a rotation system for essential staff
- Coverage Planning: Ensure critical operations have backup coverage
- Communication: Announce holiday schedules early in the year
Compliance Checklist
- Update company calendar with all 2026 holidays
- Configure payroll system for holiday pay calculations
- Communicate holiday schedule to all employees
- Plan staffing for essential services during holidays
- Review leave balances before major holiday periods
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public holidays are there in the UAE in 2026?
The UAE has 13 days of public holidays in 2026, including both fixed Gregorian holidays (New Year's Day, UAE National Day) and Islamic holidays that follow the lunar calendar (Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, and Prophet's Birthday).
Do Islamic holiday dates change each year?
Yes, Islamic holidays follow the Hijri lunar calendar, which is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. This means Islamic holidays shift earlier each Gregorian year. Additionally, the exact dates depend on moon sighting, so official confirmation typically comes shortly before each holiday.
Is holiday pay mandatory in the UAE?
Yes, under UAE labor law, employees who work on public holidays must receive either 150% of their basic daily wage OR a substitute day off plus 50% of their basic daily wage. Employers cannot force employees to work on public holidays without proper compensation.
What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
For private sector employees, there is no automatic substitution if a holiday falls on a weekend. However, many employers choose to grant a substitute day off as a goodwill gesture. Check your employment contract or company policy for specific guidance.
Are free zone employees entitled to UAE public holidays?
Yes, employees in UAE free zones are generally entitled to the same public holidays as mainland employees. However, some free zones operating under different legal frameworks (like DIFC and ADGM) may have slight variations. Check with your free zone authority for specific requirements.
Can employers require employees to work on public holidays?
Employers can request employees to work on public holidays for essential operations, but they must provide proper compensation (150% pay or day off in lieu plus 50%). Employees cannot be penalized for declining to work on holidays unless their contract specifically requires it.
Plan Your 2026 HR Calendar Today
Effective holiday planning helps maintain employee satisfaction while ensuring business continuity. Use this calendar as your foundation for 2026 workforce planning.
Need help managing leave requests and holiday payroll? RadixHR's leave management module automatically calculates holiday entitlements, tracks leave balances, and ensures compliant payroll processing for all UAE public holidays.
Related Resources
- UAE Labor Law 2026: Complete Guide
- UAE Ramadan Working Hours 2026
- Overtime Calculation UAE 2026: Formula, Rules & Calculator
- Sick Leave UAE 2026: Complete Guide
- Maternity Leave UAE 2026: Complete Guide
Free Calculators
- All UAE HR Tools & Calculators - Browse every free calculator in one place
- Gratuity Calculator - Calculate end of service benefits
- Leave Salary Calculator - Calculate leave pay
- Annual Leave Calculator - Check your leave entitlement
- Overtime Calculator - Calculate overtime pay
Last updated: January 15, 2026. Islamic holiday dates are subject to moon sighting confirmation by the UAE government.
