Eid Al Adha 2026: UAE announces five-day holiday for public sector employees
Moon sighting to determine final Islamic calendar dates
ABU DHABI/DUBAI – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially announced the Eid Al Adha 2026 holiday dates for public sector employees, paving the way for an extended break that could stretch to nine consecutive days when combined with weekends.
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources confirmed that the paid holiday for federal government employees will begin on Monday, May 25, and continue until Friday, May 29. Official working hours are set to resume on Monday, June 1.
الهيئة الاتحادية للموارد البشرية الحكومية تعلن عن عطلة عيد الأضحى للعاملين في الجهات الحكومية الاتحادية pic.twitter.com/r8Kbo7ZhfY
— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) May 12, 2026
The announcement comes as preparations intensify across the country for one of the most significant occasions in the Islamic calendar. Eid Al Adha coincides with the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, where millions of Muslims gather to perform the fifth pillar of Islam.
Eid Al Adha holiday
With Saturday and Sunday weekends falling before the official break, many employees are expected to enjoy a nine-day holiday period. The announcement has also triggered a wave of travel planning and family holiday arrangements across the UAE.
Authorities noted that Arafah Day, considered the holiest day in the Islamic calendar, is expected to fall on Tuesday, May 26. The day marks the pinnacle of the Hajj pilgrimage and is observed annually on the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijjah.
Eid Al Adha celebrations are expected to begin on Wednesday, May 27, although final confirmation remains dependent on the official moon sighting.
As with all Islamic occasions, the precise dates will be determined according to lunar observations. Astronomical calculations currently indicate that the crescent moon marking the beginning of Dhu Al Hijjah is likely to be sighted on Sunday, May 17.
If the crescent is confirmed that evening, the first day of Dhu Al Hijjah will fall on Monday, May 18. If the moon is not sighted, the month will begin on Tuesday, May 19, shifting all related Islamic dates by one day.
Dubai authorities are also preparing for a public moon-sighting event at the Jebel Nazwa Trail on May 17. Organised by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, the gathering will begin at 5pm and continue until after sunset when crescent observations are completed.
The event is expected to attract significant participation from residents and astronomy enthusiasts, reflecting the longstanding Islamic tradition of physically sighting the crescent moon to determine the start of Hijri months.
Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society and member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, said astronomical calculations indicate that the new moon of Dhu Al Hijjah will be born at 12:01am UAE time on Sunday, May 17.
The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology had earlier projected that Eid Al Adha would likely begin on Wednesday, May 27, based on current astronomical data.
School breaks
Educational institutions across the UAE have also aligned their academic calendars with the Eid holidays. The Ministry of Education announced that the third-term midterm break for students, teachers and administrative staff will run from May 25 to May 29.
Combined with surrounding weekends, pupils and school staff are expected to receive a nine-day holiday.
Private schools in Dubai will observe the Eid break during the same period under the emirate’s unified academic calendar, with classes resuming on June 1.
Meanwhile, the Sharjah Private Education Authority confirmed that private schools across the emirate will close from Monday, May 25, to Thursday, May 28. Classes and administrative operations will resume on Monday, June 1, giving many students a 10-day holiday including weekends.
Authorities across the UAE extended greetings to residents, students and families as preparations continue for Eid Al Adha celebrations nationwide.