UAE Public Holiday Calendar 2026
Every official UAE public holiday for 2026 in one view — with dates, day counts and the next-holiday countdown. Add them to your calendar or download the list for your whole team.
Applies across all seven emirates · Islamic dates subject to moon sighting
Next holiday
—
New Year's Day
NationalThu
Jan 1
1 day
Eid Al Fitr
EidThu – Sun
Mar 19 – 22
4 days
Arafat Day
EidTue
May 26
1 day
Eid Al Adha
EidWed – Fri
May 27 – 29
3 days
Islamic New Year
IslamicMon
Jun 15
1 day
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
IslamicMon
Aug 24
1 day
UAE National Day
NationalWed – Thu
Dec 2 – 3
2 days
UAE Public Holidays at a Glance
The headline numbers for planning leave and staffing around the 2026 calendar.
7
Public holiday occasions in 2026
13
Total days off across the year
All 7
Emirates — holidays apply uniformly
2
Fixed-date holidays (New Year, National Day)
5
Islamic holidays set by moon sighting
6
Days — the May Eid Al Adha break with weekend
Full List of UAE Public Holidays 2026
Below is the 2026 UAE public holiday schedule for both the public and private sector. Fixed dates are confirmed; Islamic holiday dates are the government's forecast and are finalised by the official moon-sighting committee, usually 1–2 days in advance.
| Holiday | Date(s) | Day(s) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1 | 1 | National |
| Eid Al Fitr | Mar 19 – 22 | 4 | Islamic |
| Arafat Day | May 26 | 1 | Islamic |
| Eid Al Adha | May 27 – 29 | 3 | Islamic |
| Islamic New Year | Jun 15 | 1 | Islamic |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | Aug 24 | 1 | Islamic |
| UAE National Day | Dec 2 – 3 | 2 | National |
Islamic dates may shift by a day or two depending on the moon sighting; always verify against official announcements before booking travel or finalising leave.
Long Weekend Opportunities in 2026
With a little leave planning, several 2026 holidays stretch into much longer breaks:
- March — Eid Al Fitr: the holiday runs Thursday to Sunday, giving a four-day weekend without taking any leave.
- May — Eid Al Adha: Arafat Day (Tue) into Eid Al Adha (Wed–Fri), combined with the weekend, creates a six-day break — the longest of the year.
- December — National Day: the 2–3 December holiday can pair with the weekend and a bridge day for an extended break.
Tip for HR teams
Long weekends concentrate leave requests. Plan coverage early around the March and May Eid periods, when demand for time off peaks across the UAE.
UAE Public Holiday Rules
UAE public holidays are declared federally by the Cabinet and apply to both the public and private sectors across all seven emirates. A few rules are worth knowing:
- Separate from annual leave: public holidays don't count against your annual leave entitlement.
- Working a holiday: employees required to work a public holiday are entitled to a substitute day off or additional pay under UAE Labour Law.
- Movable holidays: authorities may shift certain mid-week holidays to the start or end of the week to create longer weekends.
- Moon sighting: Islamic holiday dates are confirmed shortly before they occur, so keep a buffer when planning travel.
Dates are indicative. Islamic holidays depend on the official moon sighting and may shift by a day or two; final dates are confirmed by the UAE Cabinet and MOHRE. This calendar is for planning only — always check official announcements before finalising leave or travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about UAE public holidays and leave planning in 2026.
How many public holidays does the UAE have in 2026?
There are 7 public holiday occasions in 2026, adding up to around 13 days off, applicable to both public and private sector employees across all seven emirates.
Are UAE public holidays the same for private and government sectors?
Yes. Under the UAE's unified holiday policy, public and private sector employees receive the same public holidays, though the private sector start day is confirmed by MOHRE and public-sector bodies may extend certain breaks.
Why are some 2026 holiday dates marked 'subject to moon sighting'?
Islamic holidays — Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year and the Prophet's Birthday — follow the Hijri lunar calendar. Their Gregorian dates are confirmed by the official moon-sighting committee, usually 1–2 days beforehand, so they may shift slightly.
Which 2026 holidays have fixed dates?
New Year's Day (1 January) and UAE National Day (2–3 December) fall on fixed Gregorian dates every year and are not affected by moon sighting.
Can public holidays be moved to create long weekends?
Yes. Under the UAE public holiday law, authorities may move certain mid-week holidays to the start or end of the working week to create longer weekends. Any such change is announced officially.
Are public holidays counted as annual leave?
No. Public holidays are separate from your annual leave entitlement. If you work on a public holiday, UAE Labour Law entitles you to compensatory leave or additional pay.
How do I add these holidays to my calendar?
Use the Download (.ics) button on this page to get a calendar file you can import into Google Calendar, Outlook or Apple Calendar in one step. A .csv download is also available for spreadsheets and HR systems.
Do these dates apply to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and all emirates?
Yes. UAE public holidays are declared federally and apply uniformly across all seven emirates, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
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Self-service requests
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MOHRE-compliant
Accrual and entitlements follow UAE Labour Law.