Public Holidays in UAE 2026, Complete Guide to All UAE Public Holidays, Passed and Upcoming. There is an eclectic list of holidays that come together from both national and Islamic sources in the United Arab Emirates.
Overview of Public Holidays UAE 2026
By June 2026, there are five public holidays which have already occurred in UAE in the year 2026. There are several other public holidays that will be taking place throughout the year.
Public Holidays Already Passed in 2026
| Public Holiday | Date | Day |
| New Year’s Day | January 1, 2026 | Thursday |
| Eid Al Fitr Holidays | March 19 – March 22, 2026 | Thursday – Sunday |
| Arafat Day | May 26, 2026 | Tuesday |
| Eid Al Adha Holidays | May 27 – May 29, 2026 | Wednesday – Friday |
| Islamic New Year | June 15, 2026 | Monday |
Remaining Public Holidays in UAE 2026
| Public Holiday | Date | Day |
| Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | August 25, 2026 | Tuesday |
| UAE National Day Holidays | December 2 – December 3, 2026 | Wednesday – Thursday |
Summary:
- Public holiday occasions passed: 5
- Public holiday occasions remaining: 2
What is a Public Holiday?
A public holiday is an officially recognized day when government offices, schools, banks, and many private businesses close or operate with reduced hours.
In the UAE, public holidays are generally divided into:
- National holidays
- Islamic religious holidays
- Government-declared holidays
Most public holidays apply to both public and private sector employees.
Full UAE Public Holiday Calendar 2026
1. New Year’s Day
Date: January 1, 2026
Day: Thursday
The first public holiday of every year celebrates the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year.
2. Eid Al Fitr Holiday
Date: March 19 – March 22, 2026
Days: Thursday to Sunday
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Families gather, exchange gifts, visit relatives, and participate in prayers.
This was one of the longest public holiday periods during the first quarter of 2026.
3. Arafat Day
Date: May 26, 2026
Day: Tuesday
Arafat Day is observed during the annual Hajj pilgrimage and is considered one of the most significant days in Islam.
4. Eid Al Adha
Date: May 27 – May 29, 2026
Days: Wednesday to Friday
Eid Al Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, follows Arafat Day and is one of the most important Islamic celebrations worldwide.
Many UAE residents enjoyed an extended break by combining the Eid holiday with the weekend.
5. Islamic New Year
Date: June 15, 2026
Day: Monday
The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of the new Hijri calendar year. This holiday provided residents with a mid-year break and marked the start of the Islamic calendar year.
6. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday
Date: August 25, 2026
Day: Tuesday
Known as Mawlid Al Nabi, this day commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Many residents use this public holiday for family gatherings and short trips.
7. UAE National Day
Date: December 2 – December 3, 2026
Day: Wednesday and Thursday
The UAE National Day celebrates the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971.
The country hosts:
- Fireworks displays
- Cultural events
- Concerts
- Family celebrations
- National parades
This remains one of the most anticipated public holidays of the year.
How Many Public Holidays Are Left in UAE 2026?
As of June 2026:
Remaining Public Holiday Occasions
- Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
- UAE National Day
Total Remaining Holiday Occasions
2 Public Holiday Occasions
Residents can still expect multiple days off before the end of the year.
Which Public Holiday Gives the Longest Days off?
The public holiday period giving the longest days off is in 2026 was:
- Eid Al Adha Holiday
With the weekends included, many workers got up to six continuous days off.
Thus, the Eid Al Adha Holiday becomes the most beneficial public holiday period of the year for vacations and family outings.
Why UAE Public Holidays Are Important?
Public holidays are necessary for:
- Work-life balance
Employees get time off to rest, relax and bond with their families.
- Tourism development
Public holiday periods increase:
- Domestic tourism
- Hotel reservations
- Spending money on entertainment
- Traveling via air
- Preservation of culture
Public holidays contribute to preserving the rich traditions and cultural heritage of the UAE.
- Economic growth
This holiday periods often result in increased customer traffic at retail stores, malls, tourist attractions, etc.
An Important Note Regarding Islamic Public Holidays
Islamic public holidays are based on the Hijri lunar calendar. As moon sightings decide the start date of the Islamic month, there may be slight variations in dates of public holidays. The official dates of such holidays are decided near the holiday period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many public holidays have occurred in UAE 2026?
Ans: Five major public holiday occasions have passed:
- New Year’s Day
- Eid Al Fitr
- Arafat Day
- Eid Al Adha
- Islamic New Year
Q. How many public holidays are remaining in UAE 2026?
Ans: There are two major public holidays remaining:
- Birthday of Prophet Muhammad
- UAE National Day
Q. Are the UAE public holidays applicable to both private and public sector employees?
Ans: Most of the official UAE public holidays are applicable for both types of workers. However, sometimes implementation may vary.
Q. Can the dates of public holidays change?
Ans: Yes. Dates of Islamic holidays depend on official moon sightings and thus are subject to minor changes.
Final Words
The UAE public holiday calendar of 2026 includes both religious and national holidays. Although many major holidays have passed already, there are more important holidays to come like Prophet Muhammad’s birthday and UAE National Day celebrations. No matter whether you plan a vacation, a family meeting, staycation or business schedules, tracking all public holidays will surely help you use your year to the best.
For the latest updates on UAE holidays, long weekends, vacations tips, government announcements, technology, lifestyle and sports news in the Gulf region visit Trendz of Gulf (TOG).
