UAE Public Holiday Calendar 2026: Confirmed Dates & Next Break

UAE public holidays in 2026 include New Year's Day, Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid Al Adha, Hijri New Year, Prophet Muhammad's Birthday and UAE National Day. As of 3 September 2026, the next holiday still ahead is UAE National Day on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 Dec 2026.

The 2026 calendar is now much clearer than it was earlier in the year. Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid Al Adha, Hijri New Year and Prophet Muhammad's Birthday have all been observed. The left fixed UAE break is National Day in Dec.

This guide gives the confirmed 2026 calendar, explains public- and private-sector differences, shows the left long-weekend opportunity, covers the holiday-transfer rule and explains how holidays can affect state services, banks and visa planning.

2026 Holiday Status

UAE Public Holidays 2026: Quick Overview

UAE Public Holidays 2026 Calendar

The UAE holiday framework lists seven official occasions. Islamic holidays use Hijri dates and can be set on different Gregorian dates each year. New Year's Day and National Day use fixed Gregorian dates.

The UAE Government public-holiday framework lists the seven occasions that apply across the country.

Next UAE Public Holiday: National Day, 2–3 Dec 2026

The next UAE public holidays are the two National Day dates on Wednesday 2 Dec and Thursday 3 Dec 2026. National Day, also known as Eid Al Etihad, marks the formation of the Union in 1971.

These two dates are part of the UAE holiday framework. Employees on a normal Sat–Sun weekend can create a five-day break by taking leave on Friday 4 Dec, giving Wednesday 2 Dec through Sun 6 Dec away from work.

Do not treat Friday 4 Dec as an public holiday unless a later Cabinet decision says so. On the base calendar, it is an leave day for a five-day break. If you are planning a Dubai trip around the Dec break, use the Dubai travel visa guide for the wider trip-planning steps.

Remaining UAE Long Weekend in 2026

After the three-day Prophet's Birthday weekend in August, the strongest left leave opportunity is National Day.

This gives five consecutive days off with one leave day for an worker whose regular weekend is Sat and Sun.

Public vs Private-Sector Holiday Rules

Public and private staff follow the same federal list of official occasions, but the exact work break can differ between sectors.

A clear 2026 example is Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha. Private staff received the four-day legal break from 26 to 29 May. FAHR set a longer UAE government break from Monday 25 May through Friday 29 May.

For private-sector workers, UAE Labour Law provides paid leave on public holidays. If work conditions require an worker to work on an day off, the firm must provide another rest day or pay the normal day's wage plus at least 50% of the basic wage for that day.

The UAE Government private-sector leave guidance explains this pay rule.

How Many Paid Public-Holiday Days Are There in 2026?

For a standard private worker, the past and scheduled 2026 breaks add up to 13 paid public-holiday days: one for New Year, four for Eid Al Fitr, four for Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha, one for Hijri New Year, one for Prophet Muhammad's Birthday and two for National Day.

UAE government staff received one extra day around Eid Al Adha because the federal break ran from 25 to 29 May. That takes the federal 2026 holiday total to 14 days when the Dec National Day break is included.

These counts describe holiday days, not every weekend connected to them. A six-day or seven-day break can contain only four or five holiday days once weekends are separated.

Eid Al Fitr Holiday 2026

The federal Eid Al Fitr break ran from Thursday 19 March to Sun 22 March 2026, with federal work resuming on Monday 23 March. FAHR issued that four-day break in February.

MoHRE initially set 19–21 March as the private-sector paid holiday and stated that Sun 22 March would be added if Ramadan past 30 days. The final 2026 break therefore reached Sun 22 March.

The FAHR Eid Al Fitr notice records the federal 19–22 March break.

Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha 2026

The private-sector legal break covered Arafat Day on Tuesday 26 May and Eid Al Adha from Wednesday 27 May through Friday 29 May.

For ministries and UAE offices, FAHR set a longer break beginning on Monday 25 May and continuing through Friday 29 May, with work resuming Monday 1 June.

The FAHR Eid Al Adha notice confirms the federal 25–29 May break.

Islamic New Year Holiday 2026

The 2026 Islamic New Year holiday was observed on Monday 15 June for UAE government entities and private staff. Normal work resumed on Tuesday 16 June.

For people on a Sat–Sun weekend, the Monday holiday created a three-day break from Sat 13 June through Monday 15 June.

This is a useful example of a one-day public holiday creating a longer break because of where it sits in the week.

Prophet Muhammad's Birthday Holiday 2026

Prophet Muhammad's Birthday was observed on Friday 28 August 2026. FAHR Circular No. 11 of 2026 confirmed the date for ministries and UAE offices, and the UAE Government also set the same date for the private sector.

Because 28 August fell on a Friday, staff with a Sat–Sun weekend received a three-day break through Sun 30 August.

This holiday has now passed. It should no longer be labelled as the “next holiday” anywhere on the page.

UAE National Day Holiday 2026

UAE National Day, also called Eid Al Etihad, is the final break in the 2026 UAE public holidays calendar. The federal framework provides two holiday days on 2 and 3 Dec.

In 2026 those dates fall on Wednesday and Thursday. This makes Friday 4 Dec the natural leave bridge into the Sat–Sun weekend.

The safest planning assumption is the legal 2–3 Dec break. Any different sector schedule requires a specific later notice rather than an assumption based on previous years.

Can UAE Public Holidays Be Moved?

Yes, some holidays can be transferred to the beginning or end of the working week under the Cabinet holiday framework. The two Eid holidays are treated differently because they remain tied to their religious breaks.

A transfer needs an Cabinet decision. A date does not move automatically just because a longer weekend would be convenient.

The UAE Government also notes that a public holiday cannot be transferred when it already coincides with another public holiday or falls on the weekend.

For travel planning, use the set holiday date rather than a predicted transfer.

Is Commemoration Day a Public Holiday?

Commemoration Day is observed on 30 November and honours Emirati martyrs. It is an important national occasion, but it is not listed as a separate legal paid public holiday in the current UAE holiday list.

For leave planning, do not add 30 November as an automatic paid holiday unless a year-specific government notice creates a different arrangement.

Dubai Public Holidays 2026

Dubai follows the UAE holiday calendar for the main national and religious occasions. Dubai Government Human Resources Department can then issue local circulars covering government entities and operational arrangements.

A public holiday does not mean every shop, mall, attraction, hotel or restaurant in Dubai closes. Tourism, hospitality, retail and transport services can operate on special or extended schedules.

For visitors, the main effect is often heavier demand, busier roads, changed government-service hours and higher pressure on flights and accommodation around major breaks.

UAE public holidays can also change branch and settlement timing.

UAE Bank Holidays and Payment Timing

Bank branches can close or use reduced hours on public holidays. ATMs, cards and mobile banking normally remain available, but some settlement processes can move to the next working day.

Multi-day Eid breaks and National Day can affect cheque clearing, branch services and some domestic or international transfer timelines.

For an urgent branch transaction, complete it before the break rather than relying on normal counter hours.

What If You Have to Work on a UAE Public Holiday?

Private-sector workers are entitled to paid leave on public holidays observed in the UAE.

If work conditions require an worker to work during the holiday, Article 28 of the UAE Labour Law provides two pay routes: another rest day, or payment for that day plus an increase of at least 50% of the basic wage for the day.

Shift workers and essential-service teams can therefore work while still having a legal pay entitlement.

How Holidays Affect State Services

Government counters, service centres and in-person appointments can close during day off breaks, while many digital portals remain available for online submissions.

The difference matters when an application needs a human review, biometric appointment, medical visit, document collection or another in-person step. A portal may accept the request during the break even when the next manual step happens after offices reopen.

Plan time-sensitive government work around the day off window rather than treating every calendar day as a working day.

How UAE Public Holidays Affect Visa Processing

A holiday can add non-working days to a visa timeline when the file needs manual immigration review or another office-based step. This is most noticeable around multi-day Eid breaks and National Day.

If a trip is close to a holiday, submit a complete file early enough to cover both the normal service time and the non-working break. Do not assume an express option removes an official closure.

For the normal visa flow, use the Dubai visa procedure guide. It explains the application steps separately from holiday timing.

UAE public holidays can change the best day to fly, visit a bank or complete a state task.

Travel Planning Around UAE Public Holidays

Major holiday breaks usually create stronger demand for flights, hotels, family attractions and road travel. The effect is strongest around Eid and National Day.

For Dec 2026, travellers using the five-day National Day bridge should plan around Wednesday 2 Dec through Sun 6 Dec. Friday 4 Dec is leave in that plan, not a legal public holiday.

If the trip is only a short connection, use the Dubai transit visa guide for the separate entry question.

How to Use Leave Around National Day

For a Monday–Friday work pattern with Sat and Sun off, Friday 4 Dec is the highest-value single leave day left in 2026.

Taking that Friday off connects the two National Day public holidays directly to the weekend. The result is five consecutive days away from work while using only one leave day.

Confirm the leave with your firm before booking non-refundable travel. Shift schedules and business needs can change the practical break for individual staff.

What Counts as a UAE Public Holiday?

A public holiday is an official day off set by the UAE holiday framework or by a later Cabinet decision. It is different from a normal weekend, leave or a company-given day off.

This matters when counting a long break. A five-day National Day break in Dec can contain only two public-holiday days. The rest can be leave and weekend days.

The same rule applies to Eid. A long Eid break can include holiday days plus the normal weekend. Count each type of day separately.

This makes leave planning much easier.

Fixed Dates vs Islamic Holiday Dates

New Year's Day and National Day use fixed Gregorian dates. New Year's Day is 1 January. National Day is 2 and 3 Dec.

The other main holidays are linked to the Hijri calendar. That is why their Gregorian dates can move from year to year.

For planning, use the final date set for that year. Do not rely only on a calendar guess made months earlier.

The final government date is the date that matters for leave.

2026 Holiday Timeline From January to Dec

• 1 January: New Year's Day.
• 19–22 March: Eid Al Fitr break.
• 26–29 May: Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha for the private-sector legal break.
• 25–29 May: longer UAE government Eid Al Adha break.
• 15 June: Islamic New Year holiday.
• 28 August: Prophet Muhammad's Birthday holiday.
• 2–3 Dec: UAE National Day / Eid Al Etihad.

By early September, every break above has passed except National Day. That makes Dec the only left 2026 holiday window to plan around.

Private-Sector Holiday Example

Take an worker who normally works Monday to Friday. For National Day, Wednesday 2 Dec and Thursday 3 Dec are public holidays.

If the worker takes Friday 4 Dec as leave, Sat 5 and Sun 6 Dec are the normal weekend. The worker gets five days away from work.

Only two of those five days are public holidays. One is leave. Two are weekend days.

This is the cleanest way to explain a “five-day holiday break.”

Holiday Pay Example for Private-Sector Staff

A private worker is normally entitled to a paid day off on an public holiday.

If the worker must work that day, the firm can give another rest day. The other route is pay for the day plus an increase of at least 50% of the basic wage for that day.

This rule is useful for staff in hotels, shops, transport, health care and other services that may stay open during a holiday.

A business can stay open even when the day is an day off.

Why the Federal Holiday Count Is Higher in 2026

The private-sector 2026 total is 13 paid holiday days on the standard calendar. UAE government staff received one more day around Eid Al Adha.

FAHR set the federal break from Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May. The core Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha break for the private sector began on Tuesday 26 May.

That one-day difference is why the federal total reaches 14 days when the full year is counted.

The holiday list is shared, but sector circulars can change the length of a break.

Simple National Day Leave Plan

If you want the longest break for the fewest leave days, Friday 4 Dec is the key date.

Book that one day as leave. Keep Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 Dec as public holidays. Add the normal Sat and Sun weekend.

The result is five days off from Wednesday to Sun.

Do not book Friday as “public holiday leave” unless a later circular actually changes the schedule.

Why Holiday Travel Gets Busier

Many residents travel when a public holiday joins a weekend. That can put more pressure on flights, hotels and roads.

National Day is a strong example because the two fixed days sit in the middle of the week in 2026. A single leave day can turn them into a five-day break.

If your trip depends on a visa, passport renewal, bank visit or state appointment, finish that task before the break starts.

Leave planning and travel planning should use the same holiday calendar.

Public Holidays and Visa Working Days

A visa service can show a normal service time in hours or working days. A public holiday can still affect the real trip plan when a human review or office step is needed.

For example, a file sent just before a long Eid break can reach an office when staff are away. The online portal may stay open, but the next review step can wait for the office to reopen.

This does not mean every online visa stops during a holiday. It means the traveller should not treat a public holiday as a normal working day for every part of the process.

Build the holiday dates into the travel timeline before you apply.

Do Malls, Hotels and Attractions Close?

Not usually as a blanket rule. A public holiday closes many state offices, but private businesses can still operate.

Hotels, malls, restaurants and attractions often stay open because breaks are busy travel and leisure days.

Opening hours can still change for a holiday. The same is true for transport and customer-service counters.

A public holiday does not mean the whole city shuts down.

UAE Public Holidays: Planning Checklist

1. Use the confirmed date rather than a predicted Islamic-calendar conversion.
2. Check your sector because UAE government and private-sector breaks can differ in length.
3. Separate public holidays from weekends when counting the total break.
4. Do not assume a transfer until it is set.
5. Check your firm schedule if you work shifts or essential services.
6. Plan bank and government visits before a multi-day break.
7. Add visa-processing buffer when travel falls close to a holiday.
8. For National Day, use Friday 4 Dec as leave if you want the five-day bridge.

Related UAE Travel Guides

For a broader trip-planning overview beyond the holiday calendar, use the Dubai travel visa guide. It helps connect holiday timing with visa and travel preparation.

Keep this holiday page focused on dates, leave planning, sector rules and service timing rather than repeating the full visa process.

UAE Public Holidays 2026: Final Summary

As of 3 September 2026, New Year, Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid Al Adha, Hijri New Year and Prophet Muhammad's Birthday have all passed.

The final UAE public holidays of the year are UAE National Day on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 Dec. For many staff, one leave day on Friday 4 Dec can turn those dates into a five-day break through Sun 6 Dec.

Use the federal calendar as the base, then apply the sector circular and your own firm schedule before making final leave or travel plans.