Planning a holiday, arranging time off work, or preparing your company's annual leave calendar? Knowing the UAE's public holidays in advance makes it easier to plan around the days when employees are officially entitled to time off.
The UAE observes several public holidays throughout the year, including Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, Prophet Muhammad's Birthday, and UAE National Day.
These holidays generally apply to both public and private-sector employees, although working arrangements and certain employment rules may differ.
UAE Public Holidays 2026 Complete List
The UAE's 2026 public holiday calendar includes New Year's Day, religious holidays based on the Islamic calendar, and the two-day UAE National Day holiday in December. Most of the year's holidays have already taken place, with Eid Al Etihad remaining in December.
| Public holiday | Date in 2026 | Day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January | Thursday | Observed |
| Eid Al Fitr Holiday | 19–22 March | Thursday–Sunday | Observed |
| Arafat Day | 26 May | Tuesday | Observed |
| Eid Al Adha | 27–29 May | Wednesday–Friday | Observed |
| Islamic New Year | 15 June | Monday | Observed |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | 28 August | Friday | Observed |
| UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) | 2–3 December | Wednesday–Thursday | Scheduled |
The dates above reflect the announced 2026 holiday arrangements for the UAE private sector. The December holiday remains subject to any subsequent official scheduling announcement.
Unlike New Year's Day and National Day, Islamic holidays follow the Hijri calendar. Their Gregorian dates are determined through lunar calendar calculations and confirmed through official announcements.
The UAE Cabinet may also move certain non-Eid holidays to the beginning or end of a working week.
For example, Islamic New Year was observed on Monday, 15 June 2026, while the public holiday for Prophet Muhammad's Birthday was moved to Friday, 28 August 2026.
What Is the Next Public Holiday in the UAE?
The next scheduled UAE public holiday is Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day), on 2 and 3 December 2026.
National Day celebrates the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. The occasion is marked across the country with celebrations, cultural activities, and events reflecting the UAE's history and national identity.
In 2026, the scheduled dates fall on Wednesday and Thursday. Employees with a Saturday–Sunday weekend who are granted annual leave on Friday, 4 December, could potentially enjoy five consecutive days off, subject to their employer's approval and any official changes to the holiday schedule.
UAE Public Holidays 2027 Expected Dates
The UAE's 2027 public holidays are expected to include the same major national and religious occasions. New Year's Day and National Day have fixed Gregorian dates, while Islamic holidays are still awaiting confirmation.
| Public holiday | Expected date in 2027 | Day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January | Friday | Fixed date |
| Eid Al Fitr | Around 9–12 March | Tuesday–Friday | Expected |
| Arafat Day | Around 15 May | Saturday | Expected |
| Eid Al Adha | Around 16–18 May | Sunday–Tuesday | Expected |
| Islamic New Year | Around 6 June | Sunday | Expected |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | Around 14 August | Saturday | Expected |
| UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) | 2–3 December | Thursday–Friday | Fixed dates |
The Islamic holiday dates above are provisional. Eid Al Fitr is normally three days, with an additional holiday if Ramadan lasts 30 days. Actual dates and any permitted holiday transfers will depend on official UAE announcements.
The 2027 calendar offers several opportunities for longer breaks. New Year's Day falls on a Friday, potentially giving employees who normally have Saturday and Sunday off a three-day weekend.
National Day is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, 2–3 December 2027. Combined with a standard Saturday–Sunday weekend, this could provide four consecutive days off without using annual leave.
Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha may also provide extended breaks, but employees should avoid making non-refundable travel arrangements based entirely on provisional dates.
UAE Public Holidays Explained
The UAE celebrates a mix of national and religious holidays throughout the year. While some holidays have fixed dates, others follow the Islamic calendar and may fall on different Gregorian dates each year. Here's what each official public holiday represents.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is celebrated on January 1 and marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. It is an official public holiday across the UAE, giving employees time off to welcome the new year.
Eid Al Fitr
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Families and communities celebrate the occasion with prayers, gatherings, and charitable giving. The UAE observes three or four public holiday days, depending on the length of Ramadan.
Arafat Day
Arafat Day falls on the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah, immediately before Eid Al Adha. It is one of the most significant days of the Islamic calendar, when pilgrims performing Hajj gather at Mount Arafat near Mecca.
Eid Al Adha
Eid Al Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's devotion and willingness to obey God. It is celebrated through prayers, charitable giving, and family gatherings, with three official public holiday days in the UAE following Arafat Day.
Islamic New Year
Islamic New Year, also called Hijri New Year, marks the beginning of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. The occasion commemorates the Hijrah, Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina, and is observed as a one-day public holiday in the UAE.
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday, also known as Mawlid Al-Nabi, is observed on the twelfth day of Rabi Al Awwal in the Islamic calendar. The UAE recognises the occasion with a one-day public holiday, although the observed date may be adjusted through an official announcement.
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)
UAE National Day, officially known as Eid Al Etihad, celebrates the formation of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971. The two-day holiday is marked by celebrations, cultural events, and activities highlighting the country's history, unity, and achievements.
How Many Public Holidays Are There in the UAE?
The UAE generally provides 12 official public holiday days per year, increasing to 13 when Ramadan lasts 30 days and an additional day is included in the Eid Al Fitr holiday.
Under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, the holiday entitlement consists of one day for New Year's Day, three days for Eid Al Fitr, four days covering Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha, one day for Islamic New Year, one day for Prophet Muhammad's Birthday, and two days for National Day.
However, the number of additional days an individual employee gets away from work may be lower when public holidays overlap with their regular weekend.
For example, an employee who already has Friday, Saturday, or Sunday off may not receive an extra working day off when an official holiday falls on one of those days. The applicable rules on substitute holidays and official holiday transfers determine the outcome.
Are UAE Public Holidays Paid for Private-Sector Employees?
Yes. Employees covered by federal UAE Labour Law are entitled to fully paid leave on the official public holidays determined by the UAE Cabinet.
Article 28 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 establishes this entitlement for covered private-sector employees. If an official holiday falls on a day when an employee would normally work, the employee generally receives the day off without losing their regular salary.
For example, an employee earning a fixed monthly salary of AED 8,000 should not have their salary reduced simply because the business closes for an official public holiday during the month.
This applies to eligible employees regardless of whether they work in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or another emirate under the federal labour framework.
Some businesses, particularly those operating in hospitality, healthcare, retail, transportation, or other essential services, may continue operating during public holidays. Employees required to work on these days are subject to the relevant holiday compensation rules.
How Is Public Holiday Pay Calculated in the UAE?
Public holiday pay depends on whether the employee takes the official day off or is required to work.
An employee who receives the public holiday as a paid day off continues to receive their normal wage. There is generally no additional payment simply for taking the holiday.
However, if the employer requires an employee to work on an official public holiday, Article 28 provides for additional compensation.
The employer must offer another day off for each public holiday worked or pay the normal day's wage plus an additional amount of at least 50% of the basic wage for that day.
Consider an employee whose monthly salary consists of AED 6,000 in basic salary and AED 3,000 in allowances.
Using an illustrative 30-day monthly calculation basis, the employee's normal daily wage is AED 300, while their daily basic wage is AED 200.
If the employee works on an official public holiday and receives monetary compensation instead of a substitute day off, the minimum total wage attributable to that day would be AED 400.
| Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|
| Normal daily wage | AED 300 |
| Daily basic wage | AED 200 |
| Additional 50% of basic daily wage | AED 100 |
| Total holiday-day wage entitlement | AED 400 |
If the normal day's wage is already included in the employee's fixed monthly salary, the payroll team should account for that payment when determining the additional amount due. The employee should not be paid the same normal wage twice.
For a detailed explanation of additional working-hour payments, employees can refer to PayDay's UAE Overtime Calculator.
What Happens When a UAE Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend?
A public holiday that falls on an employee's regular weekend does not automatically result in an additional day off.
Under Article 3 of Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, a public holiday cannot simply be transferred to another date because it falls on a weekend or overlaps with another public holiday.
However, Article 2 gives the UAE Cabinet the authority to move certain holidays to the beginning or end of a working week. Eid holidays are excluded from this transfer provision.
This means employees should distinguish between the date of a religious or national occasion and the official date on which the holiday will be observed.
For example, the holiday for Prophet Muhammad's Birthday in 2026 was observed on Friday, 28 August, rather than the religious anniversary on Tuesday, 25 August.
For employers, using the officially announced holiday date is especially important when preparing attendance records, shift schedules, and payroll calculations.
Do Public Holidays Count as Annual Leave in the UAE?
Under federal UAE Labour Law, public holidays that fall within an employee's approved annual leave period are generally counted as part of that annual leave, unless the employment contract or company policy provides more favourable terms.
This rule is established under Article 29(7) of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021.
For example, suppose an employee takes a continuous period of annual leave that includes an official public holiday.
That holiday may be counted within the approved leave period rather than automatically extending the employee's time off.
The situation can be different when an employee takes a single day of annual leave immediately before or after a public holiday, rather than booking one continuous leave period.
Employees planning to combine annual leave with public holidays should check their company's leave policy and confirm the approved dates before travelling.
Are Public Holidays the Same in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Other Emirates?
The UAE's national public holiday calendar generally applies across all seven emirates, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain.
The country follows a common federal framework for official public holidays covering public and private sectors.
However, some differences may arise in government working schedules, local government announcements, and the employment regulations applicable to certain free zones.
For example, employees working under the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) or Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) employment frameworks should check the public holiday and leave provisions applicable to their employment.
Similarly, organizations providing essential public services may maintain operations during official holidays and arrange employee compensation or alternative time off according to the relevant regulations.
For most employees working under federal UAE Labour Law, the official national holiday announcements remain the main reference.
Can UAE Public Holidays Be Changed or Extended?
Yes. The UAE Government can adjust the dates on which certain public holidays are observed, while Islamic holidays may change according to confirmed lunar observations.
Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 allows the government to transfer non-Eid public holidays to the start or end of the working week through an official decision.
Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are treated differently because their dates and duration follow the Islamic calendar and the relevant holiday provisions.
Employees should also remember that an expected holiday date published months in advance is not necessarily the date on which their employer will close.
For reliable planning, employers should update their holiday calendars whenever MOHRE, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources, or other relevant UAE authorities announce confirmed dates.
How Should UAE Employers Manage Public Holidays in Payroll?
Employers should maintain an accurate holiday calendar that reflects the official UAE announcements and the working arrangements of their employees.
For a business operating a standard Monday-to-Friday schedule, holiday management may be relatively straightforward. Public holidays can be recorded as paid non-working days, while approved annual leave and other absences are handled separately.
The process becomes more demanding when employees work rotating shifts, operate across multiple locations, or are required to work during national holidays.
A retail business, for example, may have employees working on Eid Al Fitr while its administrative staff are on holiday.
The payroll team must identify who worked, whether substitute time off was provided, and whether additional compensation is due.
Keeping holiday calendars connected with attendance and payroll records helps reduce mistakes in salary calculations, holiday compensation, and leave balances.
Manage Public Holidays and Payroll with PayDay
Public holidays are easier to manage when your employee calendars, attendance records, and payroll calculations work together.
PayDay Payroll Software UAE helps businesses maintain UAE public holiday calendars, track employee attendance and leave, and manage payroll adjustments from a central platform.
Whether you're preparing monthly salaries, managing employees who work on public holidays, or reviewing leave balances, PayDay helps HR and payroll teams keep their information organized and consistent.
Book a Free Demo to explore how PayDay can simplify holiday management and payroll processing for your business.
