It’s a new year and with that comes a whole new round of UAE public holidays in 2024.
From January 1 to Eid Al Fitr to Eid Al Adha, there are plenty of holidays to celebrate this year. The UAE cabinet confirmed the approved holidays for all government and private sectors in 2024 last year, announcing the dates according to the Islamic calendar.
#UAE_Cabinet approves official holidays calendar for government and private sectors for year 2024 pic.twitter.com/HHtIQawNy8
— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) November 21, 2023
It should be noted that the official calendar dates of the public holidays will be confirmed upon the moon sighting. However, experts are able to determine estimated dates.
In the spirit of planning ahead, the GRAZIA team has put together a guide to all of the UAE public holidays in 2024. So, make sure you bookmark this page to stay up-to-date when it comes to holiday planning next year.
New Year’s Day (Three-day break)
New Year celebrations have come and gone. The first day of the Gregorian calendar, New Year’s Day, observed on January 1, 2024, will be a public holiday for those in the UAE. Falling on a Monday next year, there will be a three-day weekend to start 2024, with employees in the public and private sectors returning to work on January 2, 2024.
Eid Al Fitr (9 day break)
Eid Al Fitr, also known as the ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast’, marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and is a time for families to come together to exchange heartfelt greetings, gifts and marks a festive period in Islam. Depending on the sighting of the moon, Eid Al Fitr is anticipated in April 2024.
According to Time Out Dubai, some astronomers have estimated that Ramadan will begin on March 11, 2024, which is a Monday. In the Islamic calendar, Eid Al Fitr falls on Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3 and if the predicted Ramadan dates occur, Eid Al Fitr is likely to fall on April 10, a Wednesday. If so, private and public sector employees in the UAE could be looking at a nine-day break as Ramadan 29 will fall on Monday, April 8 and Shawwal 3 will fall on April 12 in accordance with the Gregorian calendar.
Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha (4 day break)
Arafat Day is marked on Dhu Hijah 9 in the Islamic calendar and is celebrated as part of the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. It is followed by Eid Al Adha, or the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’, another important Islamic holiday that takes place from Dhu Hijah 10 to 12. In the Gregorian calendar, it will fall in June 2024.
Subject to the sighting of the moon, Arafat Day is likely to fall on Saturday, June 15, 2024, with the following day, June 16, to mark the beginning of Eid Al Adha. It’s likely to be a four-day break for those in the UAE, returning to work on June 19, 2024 (subject to the lunar calendar). This holiday commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, this occasion involves prayers, reflection, and the sacrifice of livestock. The meat from the sacrificed animals is shared with family, friends, and the less fortunate, emphasizing the values of compassion and sharing.
Islamic (Hijri) Ne) Year
The Hijri New Year, also known as Islamic New Year or Arabic New Year, marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar year. It falls on Muharram 1 in the Islamic calendar, which is predicted to fall on Sunday, July 7, 2024.
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday
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 Sunday, September 15.
Commemoration Day & UAE National Day (3 day break)
Commemoration Day, which was previously known as Martyr’s Day, recognises the Emirati soldiers who have given their lives in service of their country. National Day marks the day when the seven emirates united together to become the United Arab Emirates under the leadership of the Father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed.
In 2024, Commemoration Day will fall on Sunday, 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 potential three-day break.
As always, all public holidays are subject to official confirmation by the UAE authorities.
