Predicted UAE public holidays 2026: Likely Eid dates and long weekends

Dubai: The UAE has yet to officially announce its public holidays for 2026. However, the updated public holiday law, along with projected Islamic Hijri calendar dates, offers a reliable guide to the expected days off.

The country celebrates a combination of national, religious, and historical holidays. While the exact dates for Islamic holidays like Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha depend on moon sightings and are confirmed closer to the time, astronomers have forecast likely dates for 2026 to help residents plan in advance. These estimates follow the UAE’s holiday structure and are based on Hijri–Gregorian date conversions for 1447–1448 AH.

In 2026, residents can look forward to at least 12 official public holidays, with the potential for a six-day long weekend, depending on how the lunar calendar aligns

While dates for Islamic holidays remain subject to lunar observations, here’s a look at what’s still to come in 2025, along with early predictions for 2026.

As of now, three public holidays remain in the UAE for the year 2025. These dates are provisional and will be officially confirmed closer to each occasion:

Friday, September 5

Tuesday and Wednesday, December 2–3

While official 2026 dates are yet to be announced, predictions based on astronomical data and the UAE public holiday law give us a good idea of what to expect.

Residents can look forward to at least 12 public holidays, including a potential six-day long weekend.

According to the UAE Cabinet resolution, official public holidays—excluding Eid holidays—may be shifted to the beginning or end of the week by a Cabinet decision, as outlined in Article 2.

Article 3 clarifies that if a public holiday falls on a weekend or overlaps with another holiday, it will not be carried forward.

Additionally, Article 4 grants local governments the authority to declare extra holidays for their departments or institutions on special occasions or for other specific reasons, even if those holidays are not included in the federal list.

Expected: Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22

Expected: Tuesday, May 26 (Arafat Day) to Sunday, May 31

Here’s a projected list of 2026 public holidays (subject to confirmation):

Note: Islamic holidays remain subject to moon sightings. The UAE government will officially confirm dates closer to each holiday.

According to Article 2 of the Cabinet resolution, public holidays (excluding Eid) may be moved to the beginning or end of the week.

However, Article 3 states that if a holiday falls on a weekend or overlaps with another public holiday, it will not be carried forward.

Local governments may also approve additional holidays for special occasions (Article 4).