Next UAE public holiday revealed as New Year break ends
Here’s when residents can expect the next day off
DUBAI – With the New Year holiday now over, UAE residents are already looking ahead to the next chance for a break from work.
Both public and private sector employees had Thursday, January 1, 2026, off to mark New Year’s Day, officially kicking off the annual holiday calendar.
The UAE Cabinet confirmed last year that the country will observe at least 12 public holidays in 2026, with some dates subject to official moon sightings. As always, holidays tied to the Islamic Hijri calendar will only be confirmed closer to the time, although astronomical forecasts offer a strong indication of what to expect.
Eid break ahead
The next public holiday in the UAE is expected to be Eid Al Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan. While the exact dates have not yet been officially confirmed, current astronomical predictions suggest Eid Al Fitr will begin on Friday, March 20, 2026.
If these predictions hold, the public holiday would run from Ramadan 30 to Shawwal 3, translating into a three-day long weekend from Friday, March 20, to Sunday, March 22. Eid Al Fitr is among the most widely celebrated holidays in the UAE, bringing family gatherings, festive events and extended travel plans across the country.
As with all Islamic holidays, confirmation will depend on the official sighting of the moon, expected just days before Ramadan ends.
Moon-dependent dates
The UAE observes a combination of fixed-date holidays based on the Gregorian calendar and variable-date holidays governed by the lunar Hijri calendar. Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year and the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH) all fall into the latter category.
Because the Hijri calendar is around 10 to 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, these holidays move earlier each year. Although astronomers can predict likely dates well in advance, official announcements are made only after moon sightings.
The UAE public holiday law also allows some midweek holidays to be moved to the start or end of the working week, creating longer breaks where possible.
Full 2026 calendar
Based on current projections under the public holiday law introduced in January 2025, residents can expect the following predicted UAE public holidays in 2026:
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, January 1
- Eid Al Fitr: Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22
- Arafat Day: Tuesday, May 26
- Eid Al Adha: Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29
- Islamic New Year: Monday, June 15 (official date Tuesday, June 16, moved)
- Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH): Monday, August 24 (official date Tuesday, August 25, moved)
- National Day: Wednesday, December 2 and Thursday, December 3
The May Eid Al Adha period is expected to deliver the longest break of the year, with six consecutive days off when combined with the weekend.
None of the predicted Islamic holidays are expected to overlap with fixed Gregorian holidays in 2026. Local governments may also announce additional holidays if required, although any holiday falling on a weekend or overlapping date would not be carried forward.