Complete list of United Arab Emirates national holidays and public holidays for 2026. This calendar includes all major festivals and government holidays observed across the UAE. Islamic holidays are based on moon sightings and marked as tentative.
Important holidays include Eid al-Fitr (Mar 20-22), Eid al-Adha (May 27-28), National Day (Dec 2-3), and Islamic New Year (Jun 17). Dates marked as "Tentative" depend on moon sightings and may vary by one day.
| Thursday1 January | New Year's Day |
| Friday16 January | Leilat al-Meiraj |
| Wednesday18 February | Ramadan Start Tentative |
| Friday20 March | Eid al-Fitr Tentative |
| Saturday21 March | Eid al-Fitr Holiday Tentative |
| Sunday22 March | Eid al-Fitr Holiday Tentative |
| Monday18 May | Hajj season begins Tentative |
| Tuesday26 May | Arafat (Hajj) Day Tentative |
| Wednesday27 May | Eid al-Adha Tentative |
| Wednesday27 May | Eid al-Adha Holiday Tentative |
| Thursday28 May | Eid al-Adha Holiday Tentative |
| Wednesday17 June | Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year) Tentative |
| Wednesday26 August | Mouloud Tentative |
| Monday30 November | Commemoration Day |
| Wednesday2 December | National Day |
| Thursday3 December | National Day Holiday |
| Thursday31 December | New Year's Eve |
United Arab Emirates Holidays 2026: If you are planning travel, business schedules, school breaks, or long vacations in the UAE, knowing the United Arab Emirates holidays 2026 in advance can save you both time and money. The UAE follows a mix of Islamic holidays, national observances, and fixed public holidays, making its holiday calendar unique compared to many other countries.
In this guide, we’ll cover the complete UAE public holiday calendar for 2026, expected dates, long weekend opportunities, and important things every resident, employee, and traveler should keep in mind.
Public holidays in the UAE are announced by the government and apply to both public and private sector employees, although some sectors may follow specific internal rules.
UAE holidays are divided into two main categories:
Islamic holidays depend on moon sighting, so final dates are officially confirmed closer to the occasion.
Below is the tentative list of UAE holidays in 2026 based on official patterns from previous years:
Date: Thursday, 1 January 2026
A nationwide public holiday marking the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year.
Expected: March 2026 (Dates may vary)
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is one of the longest public holidays in the UAE, often lasting 3 to 4 days.
Expected: May / June 2026 (Subject to moon sighting)
Observed one day before Eid Al Adha, Arafat Day is an important Islamic occasion.
Expected: May / June 2026 (Dates may vary)
Also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid Al Adha usually includes 3 public holidays, making it ideal for long breaks.
Expected: June / July 2026
Marks the beginning of the new Islamic calendar year.
Expected: September 2026
Observed across the UAE with public holidays for both government and private sectors.
Date: Monday, 30 November 2026
Honors Emirati martyrs who sacrificed their lives in service to the nation.
Date: Wednesday & Thursday, 2–3 December 2026
One of the most celebrated holidays in the UAE, featuring fireworks, cultural events, and extended weekends.
One of the biggest advantages of UAE holidays is the official Monday-to-Friday workweek, which creates excellent long weekend opportunities.
In 2026, residents can expect:
Smart planning can easily turn 7–8 days of leave into 2+ weeks of vacation.
Always check official government announcements before making travel bookings.
Understanding the UAE holiday calendar is important for:
Public holidays also boost tourism, retail sales, and domestic travel across the Emirates.
The United Arab Emirates Holidays 2026 calendar offers a perfect balance of cultural, religious, and national celebrations. With careful planning, residents and visitors can enjoy multiple long weekends and extended breaks throughout the year.
Bookmark this page and keep checking official updates so you don’t miss any confirmed announcements.
• Dates for Islamic holidays (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Al-Hijra, Mouloud, Ramadan Start, Hajj season) are tentative and subject to moon sighting. Actual dates may vary by one day.
• National Day celebrations typically include two days of holidays (Dec 2-3).
• This list includes major national holidays observed across all UAE emirates.