Guide to holidays and public holidays in the Emirates during the year 2026

With the beginning of every new year, many people in the UAE are busy planning to spend enjoyable times with family and friends, whether by visiting the various entertainment places that the country abounds, or by traveling abroad.

Vacations and official holidays in the Emirates can be taken advantage of during the year 2026 to enjoy a long vacation that relieves the pressures of daily life, by merging annual vacations with official holidays. There are 7 official holidays in the UAE, according to Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024 regarding official holidays, according to Gulf News.

Guide to holidays and public holidays in the Emirates during the year 2026

1. New Year’s Day

New Year’s holiday falls on Thursday, January 1, 2026, and lasts for one day. You can take leave on Friday, January 2, 2026, in addition to the weekend (Saturday and Sunday). Thus, you will get a 4-day break in return for using up only one day of your annual leave balance.

2. Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr holiday is expected to be from Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22, 2026 (three days). If you decide to take leave on Monday, March 16, and return to work on Monday, March 23, you will use up 5 days of your annual leave, and in return, you will get 7 days of leave.

3. The Pause of Arafah and Eid al-Adha

The Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha are expected to fall at the end of May 2026; Arafat Day falls on Tuesday, May 26, followed by the Eid Al-Adha holiday from Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29. The Day of Arafah is a one-day holiday, while the Eid al-Adha holiday extends for three days.

If you take Monday 25 May off, you can take 9 days off, for just one day of your annual leave balance, combining the holidays with the previous and following weekends.

4. Hijri New Year

This occasion falls on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, and is a one-day holiday. You can take leave on Thursday and Friday, June 18 and 19, to get a break that extends to 5 days when counting the weekend.

5. The Prophet’s birthday

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 is expected to be a holiday for the Prophet’s Birthday (one day). If you decide to take a vacation on Monday, August 24, you will be able to enjoy a 4-day vacation connected to the weekend.

6. UAE National Day (Union Day)

The year 2026 concludes with the UAE National Day holiday (Union Day). It is expected that Tuesday, December 1, 2026, will be “Martyr’s Day,” followed by the National Day holiday on Wednesday and Thursday, December 2–3.

If you take Monday, November 30, Tuesday, December 1, and Friday, December 4, off, you will have a break of 9 days with the weekend before and after combined.