UAE Public Holidays 2026: Full List of Long Weekends, Key Dates, and School Holidays
Planning your 2026 holidays already? Here’s everything you need to know. From Eid celebrations to National Day, the UAE calendar is filled with long weekends and festival breaks — giving you more time to relax, travel, or plan family getaways.
UAE Public Holidays 2026 Likely
In 2026, UAE residents can expect around 12 official public holidays. While exact dates will be confirmed by the government closer to each occasion, here’s a predicted list to help you plan ahead:
Key Public Holidays:
- January 1: New Year’s Day
- Shawwal 1–3: Eid Al Fitr
- Dhu Al Hijjah 9: Arafat Day
- Dhu Al Hijjah 10–12: Eid Al Adha
- Muharram 1: Islamic New Year
- Rabi Al Awwal 12: Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday
- December 2–3: Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day)
Long Weekends to Look Forward To
Eid Al Fitr 2026
- Expected Dates: Friday, March 20 – Sunday, March 22
- Details: Marks the end of Ramadan. This could give you a three-day weekend to celebrate with family.
Eid Al Adha 2026
- Expected Dates: Tuesday, May 26 – Sunday, May 31
- Details: One of the biggest Islamic holidays. If you include weekends, you could enjoy up to six days off.
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) 2026
- Expected Dates: Wednesday, December 2 – Thursday, December 3
- Details: Midweek holidays — take Friday off and enjoy a four-day long weekend.
- Note: Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar, so the final dates will be confirmed after moon sightings.
How UAE Public Holidays Are Decided
There are two main types of public holidays in the UAE:
- Fixed Gregorian Holidays – These occur on the same date every year (e.g., New Year’s Day, National Day).
- Lunar-Based Islamic Holidays – These depend on the Hijri calendar and moon sightings (e.g., Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha).
Rules to Know
Some holidays can be moved to the start or end of the week to create longer breaks (except Eid holidays).
- If a holiday falls on a weekend, it’s not carried over to the next working day.
- Local authorities may declare extra holidays for special events.
UAE School Holidays 2026 (Tentative Schedule)
Students and parents can also start planning ahead with these expected school breaks:
- Winter Break: December 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026
- Spring & Eid Al Fitr Break: March 16 – 29, 2026
- Mid-Term & Eid Al Adha Break: May 25 – 29, 2026
- Hijri New Year: June 17, 2026
- Summer Break (Staff/Admin): From July 18, 2026
Plan Ahead for 2026
With a balanced mix of fixed and Islamic holidays, 2026 offers plenty of opportunities for short trips and extended vacations. Keep an eye on official announcements from the UAE government for final confirmed dates — and start planning your long weekends early!
