UAE Public Holidays 2026

Official public holidays in the United Arab Emirates

Next Holiday

Arafat Day (Eid Al Adha Eve)

Tuesday, May 26

Arafat Day marks the 9th of Dhul Hijja, when Hajj pilgrims gather on the vast plain of Arafat near Mecca in one of Islam's most sacred rituals. The standing at Arafat (Wuquf) is considered the pillar of Hajj without which the pilgrimage is invalid, as millions spend the afternoon in heartfelt prayer and supplication seeking God's mercy and forgiveness. In the UAE, Arafat Day is a public holiday on the eve of Eid Al Adha, and non-pilgrims are encouraged to fast — as it is among the most blessed and virtuous days of the Islamic year.

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Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun

January

December 29 - January 4, 2026

1
2
3
4
Public Holiday

New Year's Day

Marks the start of the new Gregorian calendar year

1
Jan
Thursday
Suggested Leave

Suggested Leave

4-day break (Jan 1–4, Thu–Sun)

2
Jan
Friday

January 12 - January 18, 2026

12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Public HolidayIslamic

Isra Mi'raj

Commemorates the Prophet's miraculous night journey and ascension to heaven

16
Jan
Friday

March

March 16 - March 22, 2026

16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Public HolidayIslamicWeekend

Eid Al Fitr

Celebration marking the end of Ramadan's month-long fast

19-22
Mar
Thu - Sun

May

May 25 - May 31, 2026

25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Suggested Leave

Suggested Leave

7-day break (May 23–29, Sat–Fri)

25
May
Monday
Public HolidayIslamic

Arafat Day (Eid Al Adha Eve)

The day pilgrims gather on the Plain of Arafat near Mecca — the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage and the eve of Eid Al Adha

26
May
Tuesday
Public HolidayIslamic

Eid Al Adha

Festival of sacrifice coinciding with the annual Hajj pilgrimage

27-29
May
Wed - Fri

June

June 15 - June 21, 2026

15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Suggested Leave

Suggested Leave

4-day break (Jun 13–16, Sat–Tue)

15
Jun
Monday
Public HolidayIslamic

Islamic New Year

Islamic New Year, counted from the Prophet's migration from Mecca to Medina

16
Jun
Tuesday

August

August 24 - August 30, 2026

24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Suggested Leave

Suggested Leave

4-day break (Aug 22–25, Sat–Tue)

24
Aug
Monday
Public HolidayIslamic

Prophet's Birthday

Commemorates the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam

25
Aug
Tuesday

November

November 30 - December 6, 2026

30
1
2
3
4
5
6
Suggested Leave

Suggested Leave

6-day break (Nov 28–Dec 3, Sat–Thu)

30
Nov
Monday
Public HolidayNational

Commemoration Day

National day of remembrance honoring UAE martyrs who gave their lives in service of the country, observed on December 1st each year

1
Dec
Tuesday
Public HolidayNational

UAE National Day

Celebrates the formation of the United Arab Emirates federation on December 2, 1971, when six emirates united under one flag

2-3
Dec
Wed - Thu

Holiday Summary 2026

15
Public Holidays
2
On Weekend
5
Suggested Leave
15
Total Holidays

By Category

Islamic11National3Umum1

Data sourced from the UAE Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) and the official UAE government portal (u.ae).

Islamic holiday dates (Isra Mi'raj, Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, Prophet's Birthday) are subject to official moon-sighting confirmation and may shift by one day. Fixed holidays (New Year's Day, Commemoration Day, UAE National Day) are confirmed dates.