UAE Eid Al Fitr 2025 holiday: Will residents get a 4 or 5-day long weekend?

Dubai: Residents across the UAE are just two weeks away from a long break, with the Eid Al Fitr holiday expected to offer a four- or possibly stretching into five-day weekend, depending on the moon sighting.

According to the UAE Cabinet’s updated holiday calendar, the public holiday for Eid Al Fitr — which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan — will include the first, second, and third days of Shawwal. However, this year’s calendar could offer a more generous break, depending on the moon sighting.

If the crescent moon of Shawwal is sighted on Saturday evening, March 29, Eid Al Fitr will begin on Sunday, March 30, making Sunday the first day of Eid. In that case, the official holiday would span Sunday through Tuesday, granting most workers a four-day weekend from Saturday through Tuesday.

But if the moon is not visible on Saturday evening, Ramadan will extend to 30 days, and Eid would begin on Monday, March 31 — a scenario that would result in an even longer five-day weekend for many residents, starting Saturday and continuing through Wednesday.

Astronomical projections by Egypt’s National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics indicate that the new crescent moon will be born at 1 p.m. Cairo time on Saturday, and remain visible for several minutes after sunset in most Arab capitals, suggesting a strong likelihood that Eid will fall on Sunday.

While astronomical calculations are widely accurate, Muslim countries — including the UAE — base official confirmation of Eid on moon sighting committees.

Authorities will announce the final decision after the official moon sighting on the evening of Saturday, March 29.

Eid Al Fitr, meaning “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is one of the most important celebrations in the Islamic calendar. It marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and charity. Traditionally, families gather for festive meals, exchange gifts, visit loved ones, and offer special prayers.