UAE public holidays: How many days off do we have left in 2021?

The total remaining public holidays for 2021 in the UAE are four days, but they will feel like more because they are all attached to weekends.

NEW YEARS DAY: So far, we've celebrated New Year's Day on January 1, which fell on a Friday unfortunately, so most UAE residents were unable to benefit from a public holiday.

Although Al Israa Wal Miraj is observed as an Islamic holiday, the UAE did not get a public holiday.

EID AL FITR: Eid Al Fitr felll on Wednesday, May 12 and lasted for four days, which meant UAE residents benefited from a long weekend.

ARAFAT DAY: Arafat Day, which fell on Monday, July 18 and was celebrated for one day. This holiday took place roughly 70 days after the end of Ramadan.

EID AL ADHA: Following Arafat Day came, what Muslims call "The Big Feast", Eid Al Adha. It was an additional three-day holiday added to Arafat Day. UAE residents got a whopping six-day weekend.

HIJRI NEW YEAR: The last public holiday that UAE residents enjoyed just took place in mid-August. It was the celebration of the Islamic New Year. This one-day celebration took place on August 12, a Thursday.

PROPHET MOHAMMED'S BIRTHDAY (PBUH): Next up is Prophet Mohammed's Birthday, which is a one-day holiday. In Arabic, the holiday is referred to as Eid Al Mawlid a Nabawi. It is expected to fall on Thursday, October 21. Another long weekend for UAE residents!

COMMEMORATION DAY: It is a one-day holiday, to honour Emiratis who have died fighting for and defending their country. Commemoration Day will take place on December 1, which is a Wednesday.

NATIONAL DAY: The last holiday of 2021 will be UAE National Day, which takes place on Thursday, December 2 and Friday, December 3. Combined with Commemoration Day, we will benefit from a four-day long weekend.