UAE Public Holidays 2026: full list and next holiday

The next UAE public holiday is National Day, on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026. The UAE has a single holiday calendar for the public and private sectors, so employees in both get the same days off. Islamic holidays follow the moon sighting, so each date is confirmed by an official announcement shortly before it falls.

UAE public holidays 2026: the full list

Holiday	Date in 2026	Days	Status
New Year’s Day	Thursday 1 January	1	Held
Eid Al Fitr	Thursday 19 – Saturday 21 March	3	Held
Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha	Tuesday 26 – Friday 29 May	4	Held
Hijri New Year (1 Muharram 1448)	Monday 15 June	1	Held
Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday (moved to Friday)	Friday 28 August	1	Held
National Day	Wednesday 2 – Thursday 3 December	2	Upcoming

A few notes on these dates:

Eid Al Fitr: the MOHRE announcement said the holiday would run a day longer if Ramadan lasted 30 days.
Prophet’s Birthday: it was expected on Tuesday 25 August but moved to Friday 28 August, creating a three-day weekend. The law has allowed some mid-week holidays to be moved to the start or end of the week since 2025.

How UAE public holidays are set

Under the UAE’s official holiday rules:

Fixed dates:

– New Year’s Day (1 January) – National Day (2–3 December)

Hijri dates, set by moon sighting:

– Eid Al Fitr (1–3 Shawwal) – Arafat Day (9 Dhu Al Hijjah) – Eid Al Adha (10–12 Dhu Al Hijjah) – Hijri New Year (1 Muharram) – Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday (12 Rabi Al Awwal)

Same rules for everyone: the calendar applies equally to the public and private sectors.

Exact Islamic holiday dates are announced by the government, and for the private sector by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), a few days ahead.

Do private-sector employees get paid public holidays?

Yes. Official holidays are paid for private-sector employees under the UAE Labour Law. Planning a longer break? See how annual leave in the UAE works.

If your employer needs you to work on a public holiday, the Labour Law says you must get one of these:

another day off in its place, or
your normal pay for that day plus at least 50% of your basic wage.

Questions about pay on holidays or at the end of your job? See how UAE gratuity is calculated and how to raise a complaint through MOHRE’s services.

UAE public holidays 2027

The 2027 calendar has not been announced yet. We will add it here as soon as it is. New Year’s Day (1 January) and National Day (2–3 December) are fixed. The Islamic holidays will fall about 11 days earlier than in 2026, subject to moon sighting.

Frequently asked questions

When is the next public holiday in the UAE?

The next UAE public holiday is National Day, on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026. Together with the weekend, many employees will get a longer break. It applies to both the public and private sectors.

How many public holidays does the UAE have in 2026?

There are twelve official days off in 2026: New Year’s Day (1), Eid Al Fitr (3), Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha (4), Hijri New Year (1), Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday (1) and National Day (2).

Are UAE public holidays the same for the private sector?

Yes. The UAE uses one calendar for the public and private sectors. MOHRE confirms each Islamic holiday for private-sector employees when the government announces the dates.

What happens if I work on a public holiday in the UAE?

Your employer must give you another day off, or pay your normal wage for the day plus at least 50% of your basic wage, under the UAE Labour Law.

Can UAE public holidays be moved?

Yes. Since 2025, some public holidays that fall mid-week can be moved to the start or end of the week. In 2026, Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday moved from Tuesday 25 August to Friday 28 August.