Residents and businesses in the UAE can already use the preliminary public holiday calendar for 2027 to plan ahead.
The UAE is expected to observe both fixed public holidays and Islamic holidays, the dates of which depend on the lunar calendar and are subject to official moon-sighting confirmation. As a result, some holiday dates may be adjusted closer to the relevant occasions.*
Preliminary UAE Public Holidays for 2027
*Please note that the dates of Islamic holidays are preliminary and remain subject to official moon-sighting announcements by the UAE authorities.
Remaining UAE Public Holidays in 2026
There are still several public holidays remaining in 2026:
Why Public Holidays Matter
Public holidays in the UAE are important not only for planning vacations, travel, and family events. They also carry legal significance for employers and employees. Official public holidays are paid leave, and employees who work on these days must be compensated in accordance with the UAE Labour Law.
For businesses, the publication of a preliminary holiday calendar provides an opportunity to plan operations in advance, schedule contractual deadlines, organize corporate events, and coordinate business activities around official public holidays.
The UAE is expected to observe both fixed public holidays and Islamic holidays, the dates of which depend on the lunar calendar and are subject to official moon-sighting confirmation. As a result, some holiday dates may be adjusted closer to the relevant occasions.*
Preliminary UAE Public Holidays for 2027
- 1 January (Friday) — New Year's Day
- 8–10 March (Monday–Wednesday) — Eid Al Fitr*
- 15 May (Saturday) — Arafat Day*
- 16–18 May (Sunday–Tuesday) — Eid Al Adha*
- 6 June (Sunday) — Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year)
- 14 August (Saturday) — Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Mawlid Al Nabawi)*
- 2–3 December (Thursday–Friday) — Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day)
*Please note that the dates of Islamic holidays are preliminary and remain subject to official moon-sighting announcements by the UAE authorities.
Remaining UAE Public Holidays in 2026
There are still several public holidays remaining in 2026:
- Prophet Muhammad's Birthday — expected on Tuesday, 25 August 2026.
- Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day) — Wednesday, 2 December, and Thursday, 3 December 2026.
Why Public Holidays Matter
Public holidays in the UAE are important not only for planning vacations, travel, and family events. They also carry legal significance for employers and employees. Official public holidays are paid leave, and employees who work on these days must be compensated in accordance with the UAE Labour Law.
For businesses, the publication of a preliminary holiday calendar provides an opportunity to plan operations in advance, schedule contractual deadlines, organize corporate events, and coordinate business activities around official public holidays.