When is the next UAE public holiday and how long will it last?

Dubai: If you are already looking ahead to your next break and planning holidays for the year, Eid Al Adha is the next major public holiday in the UAE. However, it’s important to note that dates for Islamic holidays like Eid Al Adha are based on the sighting of the moon, meaning the official dates are only confirmed by the UAE’s Moon-Sighting Committee shortly before the holiday.

When is Eid Al Adha 2025 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 projections shared by the Emirates Astronomy Society on 4 April.

The crescent moon signalling the beginning of Dhu Al Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar is forecast to appear on May 27, with May 28 likely marking the first day of the month.

If these predictions are accurate, the Day of Arafah, a day of fasting and reflection observed on the 9th of Dhu Al Hijjah would fall on Thursday, June 5, followed by Eid Al Adha on Friday, 6 June.

According to the UAE’s official public holiday calendar, the break for Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha extends from the 9th to the 12th of Dhu Al Hijjah (Islamic year 1445 AH) - equivalent to four days of public holiday.

If Eid falls on a Friday, residents can expect a long weekend, with Thursday and Friday observed as public holidays and Saturday and Sunday forming the usual weekend. This would result in a four-day break across the country.

However, as with all Islamic holidays, the final dates depend on the official moon sighting. If the crescent is not visible on May 27, the start of Dhu Al Hijjah would be moved to May 29, shifting Eid Al Adha to Saturday, June 7 instead. In that case, the four-day public holiday would run from Saturday to Tuesday, but it would no longer align with the typical UAE weekend.

The final holiday dates will be officially confirmed by the UAE authorities closer to the time.

How to maximise your Eid Al Adha Break in 2025

Looking to extend your Eid Al Adha holiday in the UAE? With some smart planning and a few days of annual leave, you can enjoy up to 15 days off using minimal leave.

Here’s how to turn the standard four-day break into a longer holiday:

Example: Turn it into a 9-day Eid holiday

Take annual leave on:

Result: You will be off from Monday, June 2 to Sunday, June 8, giving you a nine-day holiday using just three days of annual leave.

You can take it further by booking additional leave after Eid to stretch your break to 12 or even 15 days. Early planning and submitting leave requests in advance will help secure your preferred dates.