Public Holidays in United Arab Emirates
Statutory public holidays in United Arab Emirates, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
United Arab Emirates at a glance
The UAE’s public holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar for religious dates, with National Day on 2 and 3 December the main secular celebration. Commemoration Day on 1 December is also marked.
Religious dates move about ten days earlier each Gregorian year, and the weekend now runs Saturday to Sunday for most workers.
United Arab Emirates public holidays 2026
The dates below come from United Arab Emirates’s published calendar for 2026. Open the full year for the complete list.
| Holiday | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | 2026 |
| Leilat al-Meiraj (The Prophet's Ascension) | Jan 16Fri | 2026 |
| Ramadan Start | Feb 18Wed | 2026 |
| Eid al-Fitr | Mar 20Fri | 2026 |
| March Equinox | Mar 20Fri | 2026 |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Mar 21Sat | 2026 |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Mar 22Sun | 2026 |
| Hajj season begins | May 18Mon | 2026 |
| Arafat (Hajj) Day | May 26Tue | 2026 |
| Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) | May 27Wed | 2026 |
| Eid al-Adha Holiday | May 27Wed | 2026 |
| Eid al-Adha Holiday | May 28Thu | 2026 |
Showing 12 of 21 dates recorded for 2026.
Major cities in United Arab Emirates
The urban centres that anchor most trips to United Arab Emirates.
Abu Dhabi
The federal capital of corniche gardens, a vast mosque and museum island.
Dubai
A city of superlatives, from the Burj Khalifa to gold souqs and beachfront towers.
Sharjah
The most conservative emirate, with restored heritage areas and museums.
Al Ain
An oasis city of date palms, forts and camel markets on the Omani border.
Ajman
The smallest emirate's capital, with a corniche and dhow-building yards.
Top attractions in United Arab Emirates
The places that draw most visitors to United Arab Emirates.
Burj Khalifa
The tallest building in the world, with observation decks above the clouds.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
A vast white marble mosque with 82 domes and the world's largest carpet.
Al Fahidi Historic District
A restored wind-tower quarter of narrow lanes and courtyard houses.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
A domed museum where a rain of light filters through a perforated roof.
Jebel Jais
The country's highest peak, with a viewing platform and the world's longest zipline.
Liwa Desert
Vast dune fields on the edge of the Empty Quarter, south of Abu Dhabi.
Festivals, food and getting around United Arab Emirates
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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🎉
New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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🎉
Leilat al-Meiraj (The Prophet's Ascension)
Falls on Jan 16
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🎉
Ramadan Start
Falls on Feb 18
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🎉
Eid al-Fitr
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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🎉
Eid al-Fitr Holiday
Falls on Mar 21
Food & drink
Getting around
Metro, tram and bus networks serve Dubai and Abu Dhabi; intercity coaches and short flights link the emirates.
Travelling around United Arab Emirates’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in United Arab Emirates tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
United Arab Emirates's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
United Arab Emirates public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does United Arab Emirates have?
United Arab Emirates has 21 dates recorded on its 2026 calendar, ranging from national statutory holidays to widely marked observances that are not days off work.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for United Arab Emirates is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are United Arab Emirates's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, United Arab Emirates typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in United Arab Emirates?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for United Arab Emirates?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.