2026 holiday calendar
UAE Public Holidays 2026: Full List & Eid Dates
Every official public holiday in the UAE in 2026: Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, National Day and more - days off, long weekends and which dates are still expected.
Quick answer
2026 public holiday list
| Holiday | Date | Days off | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thu 1 Jan | 1 | Fixed date |
| Eid al-Fitr | Thu 19 Mar - Sun 22 Mar | 4 | Confirmed |
| Arafat Day & Eid al-Adha | Tue 26 May - Fri 29 May6-day break with the weekend | 4 | Confirmed |
| Islamic New Year | Tue 16 Jun | 1 | Estimated |
| Prophet Muhammad's BirthdayMoved from Tuesday 25 August to create a long weekend. | Fri 28 Aug3-day break with the weekend | 1 | Confirmed |
| National DayEid Al Etihad | Wed 2 Dec - Thu 3 Dec | 2 | Fixed date |
Long weekends in 2026
Arafat Day & Eid al-Adha
Tue 26 May - Sun 31 May · 6 days
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
Fri 28 Aug - Sun 30 Aug · 3 days
Holiday rules in the UAE
- Weekend
- Saturday-Sunday (most employers)
- Private vs government
- Since 2024 the public and private sectors share one holiday list; the Cabinet may move a holiday to the start or end of the week to create a long weekend.
- Working on a holiday
- If you work on a public holiday you get another paid day off, or your wage for that day plus at least 50%.
- Legal basis
- Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 + Federal Decree-Law 33/2021, Article 28
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays are there in the UAE in 2026?
UAE has 6 public holidays in 2026: about 13 paid days off across the dated holidays.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2026 in the UAE?
Thu 19 Mar - Sun 22 Mar 2026.
When is Eid al-Adha 2026 in the UAE?
Tue 26 May - Fri 29 May 2026.
When is the National Day holiday 2026 in the UAE?
Wed 2 Dec - Thu 3 Dec 2026. Eid Al Etihad
What if I have to work on a public holiday?
If you work on a public holiday you get another paid day off, or your wage for that day plus at least 50%.
Are private-sector holidays the same as government holidays?
Since 2024 the public and private sectors share one holiday list; the Cabinet may move a holiday to the start or end of the week to create a long weekend.
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