Get half of June off with this clever holiday trick and make the most of Eid Al Adha

Dubai: Eid Al Adha 2025 is expected to begin on Friday, June 6, with Arafah Day on Thursday, June 5. While the official UAE public holiday spans four days from Thursday to Sunday, you might be able to stretch your time off even longer. Whether you’re looking to extend your break before or after the public holiday, smart planning and strategic leave requests can turn your long weekend into a two-week holiday. Here’s how you can make the most of this special time off in the UAE.

Eid Al Adha, one of the most important festivals in the Islamic calendar, is expected to fall on Friday, June 6 2025, according to astronomical predictions by the Emirates Astronomy Society.

The Day of Arafah, a day of fasting and reflection observed on the 9th of Dhu Al Hijjah, is expected on Thursday, June 5. This will be followed by Eid Al Adha on Friday, 6 June. In line with the UAE's official public holiday calendar, the break will run from the 9th to the 12th of Dhu Al Hijjah (Islamic year 1445 AH), which translates to four days of public holiday in the Gregorian calendar.

If Eid does fall on Friday as expected, residents across the UAE will benefit from a four-day long weekend, with Thursday and Friday declared official holidays, and Saturday and Sunday being part of the regular weekend.

Key dates:

However, as with all Islamic holidays, the exact dates depend on the official moon sighting. If the crescent moon is not visible on 27 May, the start of Dhu Al Hijjah may be pushed to 29 May, which would shift Eid Al Adha to Saturday, 7 June.

You can extend your four-day Eid Al Adha break by planning annual leave around the public holiday dates. With strategic leave days, you can enjoy a longer, more relaxing break.

Option 1: Extend before Eid – Turn it into a nine day break

If you take annual leave on:

Result - You will be off from Monday, June 2 to Sunday, June 6, giving you nine days off while only using three annual leave days.

Option 2: Extend after Eid – Make it a 15-day break

With public holidays from June 5 to 8, take annual leave from Monday, June 2 to Monday, June 16. Out of the 15-day period:

Result - You only use nine days of annual leave.

On the other hand, you can also opt for a 12-day holiday. With public holidays from June 5 to 8, apply for leave on:

Result - This means you will be off from Thursday, June 5 to Monday, June 16, totalling 12 days away from work while using just six days of annual leave.

These plans depend on the official announcement of Eid dates, which are confirmed by the UAE government closer to the holiday. The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) typically announces the confirmed public holiday dates for the private sector shortly before Eid, so it is advisable to wait before making travel arrangements.

Before you begin booking flights or blocking your calendar, it’s important to remember that public holiday dates in the UAE are not fixed and depend on moon sightings.

Another important factor is your employer’s policy. According to Article 28 (1) of the UAE Labour Law – Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, your employer has the right to approve or reject your leave request. HR and legal experts advise employees to submit leave applications well in advance and always refer to their company’s leave policy.

“Employees are entitled to fully paid leave on official public holidays, such as Eid Al Adha. If they wish to extend the break with annual leave, prior approval from the employer is required. The employer has the right to determine the leave dates based on business needs and must notify the employee at least one month in advance,” Nazanin Farahani, Legal Associate, Al Suwaidi & Company, said to Gulf News.

The law does not define a maximum number of consecutive days allowed as annual leave, provided the employee has a sufficient leave balance. Farahani adds, “Leave must be used within the year of entitlement unless carried forward with the employer’s consent. Its timing should also align with business requirements."

Nandini Nadarajah Navaseelan, a seasoned HR professional with over 20 years’ experience across the UAE, GCC and Pakistan, recommends taking advantage of the so-called ‘Golden Eid Window’ with smart planning.

She suggests that employees planning an extended break should communicate early with their employer. “This year, Eid Al Adha is expected in early June. One way to stretch the holiday is to book off Thursday, June 5 and Monday, June 10. These are prime dates, right before and right after the public holiday,” she said.

Navaseelan highlights the challenges employers face when many staff request leave around the same time. “If everyone books out, the business starts to feel like a window that won’t open,” she remarked.

To help manage this, she recommends implementing a ‘fair access’ leave period instead of using a first-come, first-served approach. “Roll out a structured leave request window with a clear deadline for Eid leave applications. Approvals should be fair and balanced against business needs,” she explained. This minimises confusion, email overload and last-minute decisions.

Navaseelan also advises employees to be thoughtful when requesting time off. “June 5 and 10 are prized picks. But how you ask can make all the difference between relaxing at the beach, flying home, or clocking in at your desk,” she said.

Rather than simply requesting leave, employees should demonstrate how their absence will be managed. For example: “I’d like June 5 and 10 off. I’ve fast-tracked my work, arranged cover with X employee, and will hand over everything beforehand. Happy to support remotely if needed.”

She also warned against hoarding leave and encouraged mutual support: “Don’t be a leave hoarder. Time off isn’t a win-lose game. Offer help during busy periods or trade days with teammates. Smart employees know—give now, gain later.”

Even securing just one key day off, such as 10 June, can make a big difference. “A ‘mini-Eid’ can refresh your spirit and go a long way,” she added.

Navaseelan encourages companies to show appreciation to staff who work during peak holiday times. “If not everyone can get leave, offer perks to those who stay behind, such as a bonus day off after Eid or priority access for the next holiday period.”

She stressed that Eid Al Adha is an important religious and family occasion. “How companies handle leave requests during peak travel periods reflects their values. Do it right and you will boost morale and trust. Get it wrong, and you won’t see it in your reports - but your attrition rate will tell the story.”