Dubai gives you 12+ official days off in 2026. Are you using them wisely?
Most people find out about a holiday the day before. They scramble. They don’t plan. They miss the chance to turn a long weekend into a proper trip.
Don’t be that person.
Here is every public holiday in Dubai for 2026. Confirmed dates, how long each break actually is and what you need to know before you book anything.
Quick Answer: How Many Public Holidays Does Dubai Have in 2026?
Dubai has 12 official public holidays in 2026, covering both the public and private sectors. Some fall on weekends and extend into long breaks. Others land mid-week but can be stretched with smart leave planning.
The UAE Cabinet sets the official holiday list every year. Islamic holidays depend on moon sightings, so exact dates can shift by a day but predictions are usually accurate.
Dubai Public Holidays 2026 At a Glance
The Full List: Dubai Public Holidays 2026
🗓️ 1. New Year’s Day — January 1 (Thursday)
Days off: 1
Total break: 3 days (with the weekend)
The year kicks off with a public holiday for both public and private sector employees. January 1 falls on a Thursday in 2026, which means you get a natural three-day weekend rolling into Friday and Saturday.
Simple start. Easy win.
🌙 2. Eid Al Fitr — March 19–22 (Thursday to Sunday)
Days off: 4
Total break: 4 days
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. It’s one of the biggest celebrations in the Islamic calendar and one of the longest breaks of the year.
In 2026, the private sector gets four days off from Thursday March 19 to Sunday March 22. The public sector may get an additional day depending on the moon sighting.
This is the break most Dubai residents use for a quick international trip. Book early. Flights fill fast.
🕌 3. Arafat Day (Eid Al Adha Eve) — May 26 (Tuesday)
Days off: 1
Total break: See Eid Al Adha below
Arafat Day is one of the holiest days in Islam. It marks the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage. It’s a standalone public holiday — and it runs directly into Eid Al Adha.
🎊 4. Eid Al Adha — May 27–29 (Wednesday to Friday)
Days off: 3 (plus 1 for Arafat Day = 4 total)
Total break: 6 days
This is the biggest holiday of 2026. Full stop.
Arafat Day on Tuesday May 26, followed by Eid Al Adha from Wednesday May 27 to Friday May 29. Add the weekend on either side, and private sector employees get a six-day break without using a single day of leave.
Public sector workers? Even longer — up to nine days with the preceding weekend included.
If you plan one holiday this year, plan it around this window.
🌙 5. Islamic New Year — June 15 (Monday)
Days off: 1
Total break: 3 days
Islamic New Year marks the start of Muharram. The first month of the Hijri calendar. The official date falls on Tuesday June 16, but under UAE’s public holiday transfer rule, it moves to Monday June 15, to give residents a proper long weekend.
Add Friday and Saturday to Monday and you’ve got a three-day break.
🕌 6. Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday — August 24 (Monday)
Days off: 1
Total break: 3–4 days
This holiday honours the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The official date lands on Tuesday August 25, but it transfers to Monday August 24 under UAE holiday law.
Pair it with the weekend and you get a solid four-day break in the middle of summer, right when you might need it most.
🇦🇪 7. Commemoration Day — November 30 / December 1
Days off: 1
Note: Observed by the public sector
Commemoration Day honours the UAE’s fallen soldiers. While it’s officially on November 30, it’s typically observed on December 1 in practice. This one primarily applies to the public sector — private sector employees may not always get the day off.
Check with your employer.
🎆 8. UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) — December 2–3 (Wednesday to Thursday)
Days off: 2
Total break: 4–5 days
The UAE National Day is the country’s most patriotic holiday. It celebrates the founding of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971. In 2026, the two-day break falls on Wednesday and Thursday.
Take Friday December 4 as leave and you’ve got a five-day weekend to close out the year.
Fireworks, flag parades, concerts, and events fill the city. It’s one of Dubai’s most electric nights.
Summary Table: All Dubai Public Holidays 2026
| # | Holiday | Date | Days Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Year’s Day | January 1 (Thu) | 1 |
| 2 | Eid Al Fitr | March 19–22 (Thu–Sun) | 4 |
| 3 | Arafat Day | May 26 (Tue) | 1 |
| 4 | Eid Al Adha | May 27–29 (Wed–Fri) | 3 |
| 5 | Islamic New Year | June 15 (Mon) | 1 |
| 6 | Prophet’s Birthday | August 24 (Mon) | 1 |
| 7 | Commemoration Day | December 1 (Tue) | 1* |
| 8 | UAE National Day | December 2–3 (Wed–Thu) | 2 |
*Public sector primarily
One Smart Tip: How to Turn 9 Leave Days Into 38 Days Off
The UAE’s holiday calendar is generous but smart leave planning makes it extraordinary.
Here’s the hack most people miss:
- Eid Al Adha (May): Take Monday May 25 as leave → 9-day break
- Islamic New Year (June): Take Thursday–Friday as leave → 5-day break
- Prophet’s Birthday (August): Take Tuesday as leave → 4-day break
- National Day (December): Take Monday Nov 30 + Friday Dec 4 → 9-day break
Total leave used: 9 days. Total days off: 38 days.
That’s not a hack. That’s just planning.
FAQs: Dubai Public Holidays 2026
Do private and public sector employees get the same holidays?
Yes. Since 2025, UAE law applies the same public holiday calendar to both sectors.
What happens if a holiday falls on a weekend?
Under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, non-Eid holidays can be moved to the start or end of the week. Eid holidays are fixed.
Are Islamic holiday dates confirmed?
Most are predicted based on astronomical calculations. Official confirmation comes closer to the date after the moon sighting. Dates can shift by one day.
Does Commemoration Day apply to private sector?
Not always. It’s primarily a public sector observance. Confirm with your employer.
Dubai’s 2026 holiday calendar gives you 12+ days off across the year. That’s New Year, two major Eids, a six-day Eid Al Adha break, Islamic New Year, the Prophet’s Birthday, and a National Day close to year-end.
You don’t need to be a leave wizard to make the most of it.
You just need to know the dates and plan a little earlier than everyone else.
Now you do.
Note: Islamic holiday dates are subject to official moon sighting confirmation. Dates may shift by one day.
