UAE Public Holidays 2026: Complete Guide
Planning your year in the UAE? Whether you are a resident, a property investor timing your visits, or simply looking to make the most of long weekends, here is the complete guide to UAE public holidays in 2026.
In 2026, residents can expect a minimum of 12 official days off, including a bumper six-day long weekend in May and at least three days off for Eid Al Fitr.
Confirmed and predicted public holidays
- New Year's Day: Thursday, January 1
- Eid Al Fitr: Thursday, March 19 to Sunday, March 22 (Confirmed)
- Arafat Day: Tuesday, May 26
- Eid Al Adha: Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29
- Islamic New Year: Monday, June 15
- The Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (PBUH): Monday, August 24
- National Day: Wednesday, December 2 and Thursday, December 3
The UAE celebrates a mix of holidays, with some tied to the Islamic Hijri calendar (based on moon cycles) and others tied to the Gregorian calendar. Exact dates for Islamic holidays are officially confirmed only days before they begin, though astronomers can predict them in advance.
Eid celebrations at a grand mosque in the UAE
Key long weekends to plan around
The standout break in 2026 is the Eid Al Adha long weekend. Combined with Arafat Day on Tuesday and the regular Saturday-Sunday weekend, residents could enjoy six consecutive days off from Saturday, May 23 through Friday, May 29.
Eid Al Fitr also delivers a generous four-day break from Thursday to Sunday in March.
For holidays falling mid-week (like Islamic New Year on a Tuesday), the UAE public holiday law allows these to be moved to the start or end of the week to create long weekends.
Important notes
- A public holiday will not be carried forward if it falls on the same date as another holiday or a weekend
- None of the 2026 Islamic holidays overlap with Gregorian calendar holidays
- Local governments may add extra public holidays beyond the official list
- The UAE public holiday law established in April 2024 governs all official days off
What this means for property investors
Understanding the UAE holiday calendar is essential for property investors. Peak rental demand for vacation homes and short-term lets typically surges around long weekends and Eid celebrations, particularly in popular areas like Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and Downtown Dubai.
For those managing holiday homes, the six-day May break and the March Eid Al Fitr holiday represent prime booking periods that should be factored into pricing strategies.
Investors visiting Dubai to view properties or finalise transactions should also plan around these dates, as government offices and developer sales centres may operate on reduced hours during public holidays.
Source: Time Out Dubai, UAE Government
