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As our calendars already start to fill up for the New Year, GRAZIA lists out the 2026 UAE public holidays to keep on your radar while in full planning mode.
While the dates are already outlined, it’s important to note that most of the public holidays are based on the Islamic Lunar calendar and will be officially confirmed by the UAE government and local astronomers closer to each occasion.
New Year’s Day
Kicking off the year and the annual fresh start, January 1, 2026, marks the first official public holiday of the year across all of the UAE. Falling on a Thursday, New Year’s Day serves as a refreshing mid-week break.
Eid Al-Fitr
Expected to arrive towards the end of March, Eid al-Fitr is anticipated to fall between Friday, March 20, 2026 and Sunday, March 22, 2026. This marks the first extended public holiday of the year, likely giving us a long weekend (yay!)
Arafat Day
Likely landing just ahead of Eid al-Adha, Arafat Day commemorates a key day in the Hajj pilgrimage and is expected to fall on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The single-day holiday is the perfect pre-break teaser for the longer holiday ahead.
Eid al-Adha
Following Arafat Day, Eid al-Adha is expected to fall from Wednesday, May 27, 2026, until Friday, May 29, 2026. This means, combining Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha, there could potentially be a five-day break, making it the ideal time to plan your Q2 getaway.
Islamic New Year
Marking the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar, the Islamic New Year is forecasted to fall either on Tuesday, June 16, or Wednesday, June 17, 2026, subject to moon sightings.
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
Arriving as summer comes to a close, the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday is expected to be observed on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, giving a one-day break to rest and reset before the busy back-to-work season begins.
Commemoration Day
Annually, the UAE celebrates Commemoration Day in honour of our Emirati martyrs. This year it will fall on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, just before the National Day celebrations.
UAE National Day
Closing out the year, UAE National Day is a two-day celebration falling on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, and Thursday, 3, 2026. Combining Commemoration Day and National Day, there will be a three-day pre-festive season break!
