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With 2024 winding down, it’s time to start planning for the year ahead–especailly when it comes to those much-needed breaks
To save you the trouble, GRAZIA has crunched the numbers to help you maxmise your annual leave to its full potential.
Thankfully, the UAE government has prior announced the public holidays for 2025, so you can start mapping out your time off with ease.
Below, GRAZIA brings the full breakdown.
January: Turn 2 Days off into 5 Days
New Year days off: January 1
Annual Leave Days: Mark January 2 to 3 (plus the weekend)
With the UAE confirming that New Year’s will be a day off on January 1, 2025, which falls on a Wednesday, residents can book two days of their annual leave on January 2 to 3, 2025, giving you a three-day break. But with the weekend included, it will give you a total of five days off for the first month.
April: Turn 2-3 days off into 9
Eid Al Fitr predicted dates: March 30 or 31 to April 2 (plus the weekend)
Annual Leave Days: Mark April 3 to 4 (plus the weekend)
Marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr will bring an elongated break to employees in the public and private sectors. Some Middle Eastern astronomers have estimated that Eid Al Fitr will fall on March 30 or 31, 2025, a Sunday and Monday respectively. The break is expected to last until April 2, 2025 (Wednesday). If Eid Al Fitr falls on the 30th (depending on the moon sighting), you get an nine day break if you take April 3 to 4, 2025 as your annual leave.
June: Turn 3 days off into 9
Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha predicted dates: June 5 to 8 (plus the weekend)
Annual Leave Days: Mark June 2 to 4 (plus the weekend)
These two holidays are in conjunction with the moon sightings. With Arafat Day falling on Friday, June 5, and Eid Al Adha falls on June 7 to 8 (weekend), you can enjoy a four-day holiday. But if you take the annual leave from June 2 to 4, you’ll reap nine days off in total.
June: Turn 2 Days off into 5 Days
Islamic New Year predicted date: June 27
Annual Leave Days: Mark June 26 and June 30 (plus the weekend)
For the Islamic New Year in 2025, astronomers have forecasted it will fall either on June 26 or 27. This falls in line with the 1st of Murraham, which marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar year. If it falls on the 27th, you can use your annual leave on Thursday, June 26, as well as on Monday, June 30 giving you a total of five days break.
September: Turn 2 Days off into 5 Days
Prophet Muhammad’s birthday day off: September 5
Annual Leave Days: Mark September 4 to 8 (plus the weekend)
Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is celebrated on the 12th day of the Islamic lunar month of Rabi’ al-awwal. In accordance with the sighting of the moon, it’s expected to fall on Monday, September 5, 2025. If you choose your annual leave dates on September 4 and 8, you will get a long five-day weekend.
December: Turn 3 days off into 9
Eid Al Etihad (National Day): December 2 to 4 (plus the weekend)
Annual Leave Days: Mark December 1 and December 4 to 5 (plus the weekend)
In 2025, Commemoration Day will fall on Monday, December 1 and the National Day holiday will be December 2 and December 3, meaning the UAE private sector and public sector will enjoy a five-day break. The last final long break for 2025, you can get a total of nine days off if you use three annual leave days on December 1, as well as from December 4 to 5.
