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Public Holidays in UAE 2026: Long Weekends and Planning Tips

  • June 17, 2025
  • 11 min read
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Table Of Contents

  • Key highlights 
  • What are the UAE Public Holiday dates for 2026? 
  • How businesses can plan for UAE public holidays and long weekends 
  • Workforce planning and leave management 
  • Ensuring operational continuity
  • Simplify employee leave planning during UAE Public Holidays with infithra
  • Final thoughts
  • FAQs

Key highlights 

  • Discover UAE public holidays 2026 with complete dates and long weekend insights  
  • Identify long weekends to plan travel, breaks and time off effectively  
  • Understand how public holidays impact business operations and workforce planning  
  • Learn practical tips to manage schedules, travel and peak holiday periods  
  • Explore smarter ways to streamline employee leave planning during holidays
     
    • “Wait… do we have a holiday coming up?” It’s a question that often comes up during busy work cycles or while planning ahead in a demanding schedule. In the UAE, where fast-paced workdays blur into each other, public holidays are the little reset buttons we all secretly (or not so secretly) live for.

    Whether you’re planning a quick getaway, a lazy weekend at home or just need a break from the endless Outlook notifications, here is your ultimate guide to UAE public holidays in 2026.

    Plan your holidays smarter, avoid last-minute confusion and finally answer the question we’re all asking: when is the next long weekend? To make that easier, let’s take a closer look at the key dates you need to know.

    What are the UAE Public Holiday dates for 2026? 

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially announced the public holidays for 2026. There are a total of eight public holidays this year:
     

  • New Year’s Day 
  • Eid Al Fitr 
  • Arafat Day 
  • Eid Al Adha 
  • Islamic New Year 
  • Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday 
  • Commemoration Day 
  • UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)
     
    • Public holidays in the UAE are important days when schools, businesses and government offices close and employees get paid time off. These holidays are more than just a break; they’re a chance to celebrate the country’s culture, religion and national pride. They also help people relax, spend time with loved ones and enjoy community events. Knowing the official holiday dates can help you plan your time off and enjoy long weekends in 2026.  UAE Public Holiday 2026 Here is a complete list of UAE public holidays for 2026, along with insights into their traditions and significance:

    1. New Year’s Day (January 1st, 2026)  
     
    New Year’s Day in the UAE is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country. The skies light up with spectacular fireworks and cities come alive with parties, concerts and public events. It’s a joyful occasion that marks a fresh start to the new year, as people come together to celebrate new beginnings and set positive intentions for the year ahead.   This holiday falls on January 1st, a Thursday, offering the potential for a long weekend if Friday is taken off.    
     
    2. Eid Al Fitr (Expected March 19th to March 22nd, 2026)  
     
    Eid Al Fitr will mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan and will be celebrated on the 1st of Shawwal, the 10th month in the Islamic calendar. It is a time of joy, gratitude and community, observed with communal prayers, festive meals and acts of charity.  
     
    In 2026, Ramadan is expected to begin around February 18th or 19th, which means Eid Al Fitr is likely to fall around Thursday, March 19th. As per tradition, holidays are expected from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3, making the official Eid break from Thursday, March 19th to Sunday, March 22nd, giving residents a four-day long weekend.  
     
    The exact end of Ramadan will depend on the sighting of the Shawwal moon, so final dates may vary. Regardless, Eid Al Fitr will remain one of the most cherished celebrations in the UAE, bringing families and communities together.   
     
    3. Arafat Day (Expected May 26th, 2026)  
     
    Arafat Day is one of the most significant days in the Islamic calendar, occurring the day before Eid Al Adha. In 2026, Arafat Day is expected to fall on Tuesday, May 26th. It is a day for reflection and spiritual devotion, marking a pivotal moment before the major festivities begin.  
     
    4. Eid Al Adha (Expected May 27th to May 29th, 2026)  
     
    Eid Al Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, honors Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to God. In 2026, the official holiday is expected to run from Wednesday, May 27th to Friday, May 29th. When combined with Arafat Day on Tuesday and the following Saturday-Sunday weekend, residents could enjoy a massive six-day break, making it the longest holiday period of the year, a six-day long weekend.  
     
    5. Islamic New Year (Expected June 16th, 2026)  
     
    Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) marks the beginning of the year 1448 AH. It is expected to fall on Tuesday, June 16th. As a mid-week holiday, it may be subject to the UAE’s holiday transfer rule, which could potentially move the day off to create a long weekend, offering a welcome mid-week break.  
     
    6. Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Expected August 25th, 2026)  
     
    Mawlid Al Nabi honors the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In 2026, this holiday is expected to fall on Tuesday, August 25th. Like the Islamic New Year, this mid-week date offers another opportunity for a potential long weekend if the holiday is transferred, potentially creating another long weekend.  
     
    7. Commemoration Day (December 1st, 2026)  
     
    Commemoration Day (formerly Martyrs’ Day) honors those who sacrificed their lives in service of the UAE. While officially November 30th, the public holiday is observed on Tuesday, December 1st. It is a day of national pride and silent reflection.  
     
    8. UAE National Day / Eid Al Etihad (December 2nd – 3rd, 2026)  
     
    UAE National Day marks the unification of the seven emirates in 1971. In 2026, the 55th National Day holidays will fall on Wednesday, December 2nd and Thursday, December 3rd. Combined with Commemoration Day on Tuesday, this creates a three-day mid-week break, which many will extend into a full week of celebrations, offering a significant long weekend opportunity. 

    While these holidays offer valuable time off, they also require careful planning from a business perspective. 

    Note: Public holidays in the UAE are announced annually by the government. Dates for Islamic holidays are subject to moon sightings and may vary accordingly. 

    How businesses can plan for UAE public holidays and long weekends 

    Public holidays in the UAE offer valuable time off, but they also require careful planning for businesses and employees alike. Extended holiday periods often create long weekends, which can lead to a surge in leave requests and temporary workforce gaps.

    For businesses, managing these periods effectively is essential to maintain productivity, customer satisfaction and smooth operations. 

    Workforce planning and leave management 

    Public holidays tend to increase demand for time off, especially when they align with weekends. To manage this, businesses should encourage employees to submit leave requests in advance. Early visibility allows HR teams and managers to plan staffing levels and avoid last-minute disruptions.

    Organizations may implement staggered leave approvals or schedule time off based on business needs, in line with the UAE Labour Law. This ensures that essential roles remain covered during peak periods.

    Cross-training employees is another effective strategy. A multi-skilled workforce can handle key responsibilities when team members are on leave. This reduces operational bottlenecks and helps maintain service continuity.

    Flexible staffing options, such as temporary hires or remote work arrangements, can also help businesses stay agile during busy holiday periods.

    Ensuring operational continuity

    Public holidays can affect supply chains, banking services and government operations across the UAE. These disruptions can impact everything from inventory to administrative processes. 

    To stay prepared, businesses should coordinate with suppliers in advance and ensure adequate stock levels before holidays begin. Completing time-sensitive tasks early, such as payroll, visa processing and financial transactions, can prevent delays. 

    It may also be necessary to adjust service timelines during holiday periods. Communicating any changes to clients in advance helps manage expectations and maintain trust. 

    Managing employee leave manually during peak holiday periods can quickly become complex. Limited visibility into team availability often leads to scheduling conflicts and reactive decision-making.

    Using a centralized leave management system allows businesses to track requests, monitor availability and streamline approvals in real time. This not only reduces administrative workload but also helps employees plan their time off more efficiently. 

    Simplify employee leave planning during UAE Public Holidays with infithra

    Managing employee leave around public holidays can quickly become complex. Holiday periods often trigger overlapping leave requests, workforce gaps, last-minute approvals and limited visibility, creating operational strain. As teams grow, relying on manual processes makes it harder to track availability, leading to confusion and reactive decision-making during peak periods.

    This is where a more structured approach becomes essential.

    infithra, a cloud-based HRMS tool, centralizes leave management and employee access in one platform. It allows HR teams to track leave, manage approvals and monitor availability in real time, reducing manual work and improving visibility during peak holiday periods.

    Key capabilities include:
     

  • Centralized leave tracking: Monitor employee leave balances, requests and approvals in one place. This reduces reliance on spreadsheets and manual follow-ups. 
  • Streamlined approval workflows: Set up structured approval processes so requests move through the system efficiently. This helps reduce delays and miscommunication. 
  • Integrated holiday calendar: Maintain an up-to-date holiday calendar that can be configured to reflect UAE public holidays. This gives employees better visibility when planning leave. 
  • Self-service leave requests: Allow employees to apply for leave, check balances and track request status independently. This reduces dependency on HR teams. 
  • Real-time team visibility: Provide managers with a clear view of team availability. This helps avoid scheduling conflicts during peak holiday periods. 
  • Policy-based configuration: Define leave rules based on company policies. This supports consistency and reduces the risk of manual errors.
     
    • By bringing these capabilities together, infithra helps HR teams reduce administrative workload. It also gives employees more control over their time off, improving the overall planning experience.

    With better visibility into holidays and team availability, planning ahead becomes more structured and predictable.

    Also read: Employee Self-Service (ESS) Portals: A Win-Win for HR and Employees

    Final thoughts

     Public holidays are more than just breaks in the calendar. They shape how individuals plan their time and how businesses manage operations. The real advantage lies in planning ahead and having clear visibility into both holidays and team availability.

    For HR teams, this means moving away from reactive planning and building a more structured approach to managing leave. When systems are in place, decisions become faster and coordination becomes easier across teams.

    Intrigued to see how infithra can simplify your leave management? See it in action and schedule a free demo today.

    FAQs

     1. How many public holidays are there in the UAE in 2026? 
    The UAE has eight official public holidays in 2026. Some holidays span multiple days, especially during Eid periods, depending on moon sighting. 

    2. Are public holidays in Dubai and the UAE paid? 
    Yes, public holidays in the UAE are paid days off for employees. This applies to both the public and private sectors, as per the UAE Labor Law. 

    3. Do the private and public sectors have the same holidays? 
    In most cases, both sectors follow the same official holiday calendar. However, companies may have slight variations based on internal policies or operational needs. 

    4. What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend? 
    The UAE government may shift certain holidays to create long weekends. This depends on official announcements and does not apply to all holidays. 

    5. When are Islamic holiday dates confirmed? 
    Islamic holidays are based on moon sightings. Exact dates are usually confirmed a few days in advance through official government announcements. 

    6. Is December 3 a public holiday in the UAE? 
    Yes, December 3 is typically observed as part of the UAE National Day holidays. In 2026, it falls within the official National Day break. 

    7. Is September 5 a public holiday in the UAE? 
    No, September 5 is not a public holiday in 2026. Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday is expected to fall on August 25, subject to moon sighting confirmation. 

    8. Is October 8 a public holiday in the UAE? 
    No, October 8 is not listed as a public holiday in the UAE for 2026. Always refer to the official calendar for confirmed dates. 

    9. How can businesses manage employee leave efficiently during public holidays? 
    Businesses can manage employee leave more efficiently by using a centralized system to track requests, monitor team availability and maintain an updated holiday calendar. This reduces manual work and helps avoid scheduling conflicts. 

    Tools like infithra further simplify this process by bringing leave tracking, approvals and employee access into one platform, making holiday planning more structured and easier to manage.
     
    10. What are the long weekends in the UAE in 2026? 
    Several public holidays in 2026 are expected to create long weekends. Eid Al Fitr (March 19–22) forms a confirmed four-day break. Eid Al Adha, along with Arafat Day in late May, is expected to create one of the longest breaks of the year, potentially spanning 5–6 days. UAE National Day (December 1–3) may also extend into a longer break when combined with weekends. Some mid-week holidays like the Islamic New Year and Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday may create extended weekends depending on calendar alignment. As Islamic dates depend on moon sightings, final durations may vary slightly.