UAE National Day: Will the public holiday be a four-day or five-day break

Dubai: UAE residents have only one public holiday remaining in 2025, according to the official UAE Cabinet calendar. The final long break of the year, Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day), is approaching soon. Here’s how long the holiday is expected to last.

According to Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024 Concerning Public Holidays in the State, Eid Al Etihad has fixed dates, with Tuesday, December 2, and Wednesday, December 3 officially designated as holidays.

The public holiday law allows holidays to be moved to the beginning or end of the week to create a longer break. In this case, Monday, December 1, could potentially be declared a public holiday or replace the December 3 holiday. If Monday is added, the UAE would enjoy a five-day break when combined with the weekend.

It is more likely, however, that the December 3 holiday will be shifted to Monday, resulting in a four-day holiday alongside the weekend.

Last year, the public holiday fell on Monday, December 2, and Tuesday, December 3, 2024, with work resuming on Wednesday, December 4. Including the regular weekend of Saturday and Sunday, the total break was four days.

The official length of the public holiday will only be confirmed closer to the date.

Under Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024, the UAE Cabinet has the authority to move public holidays, except for Eid holidays, to the start or end of the workweek through an official resolution.

The law also allows local governments to declare additional holidays for their departments and entities for specific occasions or other reasons.

This article was published on July 11, 2025 and has been updated since.