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Whether you’re living in the UAE or just visiting, it’s important to note these important holidays, as some businesses may be closed. To ensure you don’t miss out on anything important, make sure to mark these important dates in your calendar.
An overview of public holidays in the UAE
There are eight official public holidays in the UAE.
One of the biggest public events is Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. It begins the day after the sighting of the crescent moon, so the dates can only be estimated and may vary by a day or two.
Workers are entitled to leave during Eid al-Fitr, and transport services and shopping malls tend to have extended hours. There also tend to be celebratory fireworks displays, and families and friends meet to exchange gifts. You can also find out more about the best festivals in the UAE and how they’re celebrated.
When are the UAE’s public holidays in 2026?
These dates are subject to change since the Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar and moon sightings.
| Date | Weekday(s) | Holiday |
| 1 January 2026 | Thu | New Year’s Day |
| 20–22 March 2026 | Fri–Sun | Eid al-Fitr |
| 26–27 May 2026 | Tue–Wed | Arafah (Hajj) Day |
| 27–28 May 2026 | Wed–Thu | Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) |
| 16–17 June 2026 | Tue–Wed | Al-Hijri (Islamic New Year) |
| 25–26 August 2026 | Tue–Wed | Mawlid (Prophet Muhammad’s birthday) |
| 30 November 2026 | Mon | Commemoration Day |
| 2 December 2026 | Wed | National Day |
Other important dates in 2026
| Date | Weekday | Occasion |
| 16 January 2026 | Fri | Leilat al-Meiraj (The Prophet’s Ascension) |
| 18 February 2026 | Wed | Start of Ramadan |
| 18–19 March 2026 | Wed–Thu | Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) |
| 21 March 2026 | Sat | Mother’s Day |
| 18 May 2026 | Mon | Start of Hajj season |
| 21 June 2026 | Sun | Father’s Day |
| 31 December 2026 | Thu | Solar New Year’s Eve |
When are the UAE’s public holidays in 2027?
These dates are subject to change since the Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar and moon sightings.
| Date | Weekday(s) | Holiday |
| 1 January 2027 | Fri | New Year’s Day |
| 8-10 March 2027 | Mon-Wed | Eid al-Fitr |
| 15-16 May 2027 | Sat-Sun | Arafat (Hajj) Day |
| 17-18 May 2027 | Mon-Tues | Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) |
| 6 June 2027 | Sun | Al-Hijri (Islamic New Year) |
| 15-16 August 2027 | Sun-Mon | Mawlid (Prophet Muhammad’s birthday) |
| 30 November 2027 | Tues | Commemoration Day |
| 2 December 2027 | Thu | National Day |
Other important dates in 2027
| Date | Weekday | Occasion |
| 6 January 2027 | Wed | Leilat al-Meiraj (The Prophet’s Ascension) |
| 7 February 2027 | Sun | Start of Ramadan |
| 6 March 2027 | Sat | Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) |
| 21 March 2027 | Sun | Mother’s Day |
| 15 May 2027 | Sat | Start of Hajj season |
| 21 June 2027 | Mon | Father’s Day |
| 31 December 2027 | Fri | Solar New Year’s Eve |
When were the UAE’s public holidays in 2025?
| Date | Weekday(s) | Holiday |
| 1 January 2025 | Wed | New Year’s Day |
| 31 March–2 April 2025 | Mon–Wed | Eid al-Fitr |
| 5–6 June 2025 | Thu–Fri | Arafah (Hajj) Day |
| 7–8 June 2025 | Sat–Sun | Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) |
| 26–27 June 2025 | Thu–Fri | Al-Hijri (Islamic New Year) |
| 4–5 September 2025 | Thu–Fri | Mawlid (Prophet Muhammad’s birthday) |
| 30 November 2025 | Sun | Commemoration Day |
| 2 December 2025 | Tue | National Day |
Other important dates in 2025
| Date | Weekday | Occasion |
| 27 January 2025 | Mon | Leilat al-Meiraj (The Prophet’s Ascension) |
| 1 March 2025 | Sat | Start of Ramadan |
| 21 March 2025 | Fri | Mother’s Day |
| 26–27 March 2025 | Wed–Thu | Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) |
| 29 May 2025 | Fri | Start of Hajj season |
| 21 June 2025 | Sat | Father’s Day |
| 31 December 2025 | Wed | Solar New Year’s Eve |
There are no daylight saving time changes in the UAE. Unlike some other countries, the clock remains the same throughout the year. The United Arab Emirates follows Gulf Standard Time.
When are the school holidays in the UAE?
Curious when your children are off? Learn about school holidays in the UAE.
