Living guide
UAE public holidays 2026
Last verified 2026-08-18
| Holiday | Private sector | Federal government |
|---|---|---|
| Gregorian New Year 1 January | Thursday, 1 January 2026 | Thursday, 1 January 2026 |
| Eid Al Fitr 1–3 Shawwal; if Ramadan lasts 30 days, day 30 is also a holiday | 19–21 March 2026; MoHRE said 22 March if Ramadan lasted 30 days | 19–22 March 2026; work resumed 23 March |
| Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha 9 Dhu al-Hijjah, then 10–12 Dhu al-Hijjah | 26–29 May 2026 | 25–29 May 2026; work resumed 1 June |
| Hijri New Year 1 Muharram | Monday, 15 June 2026 | Monday, 15 June 2026 |
| Prophet Muhammad's birthday 12 Rabi' al-Awwal | MoHRE circular not yet posted on mohre.gov.ae — do not assume extra days beyond the federal date | Friday, 28 August 2026 |
| National Day 2 and 3 December | Wednesday 2 December and Thursday 3 December 2026 | Wednesday 2 December and Thursday 3 December 2026 |
What this does not do
The Cabinet list covers both the public and private sectors. Gregorian dates for Islamic holidays are set by moon sighting and announced separately: MoHRE for private employers, FAHR for federal entities. Those two circulars can differ by a day.
Commemoration Day is not on the Cabinet list. A holiday that falls on a weekend is not moved to another working day.
Most private-sector and federal employees take Saturday and Sunday off. Sharjah government employees already take Friday to Sunday off, so a Monday holiday lengthens that weekend.
The existing Eid Al Adha article stays at Eid Al Adha 2026 in the UAE. This page does not replace it.
Sources
- UAE official public-holidays page (updated 2 July 2026)
- Cabinet Resolution on public holidays in the State
- MoHRE: 1 January 2026 private-sector holiday
- MoHRE: Eid Al Fitr 2026 private-sector holiday
- FAHR: Eid Al Fitr federal dates
- MoHRE: Eid Al Adha 26–29 May 2026
- FAHR: Eid Al Adha federal 25–29 May
- MoHRE: Hijri New Year, 15 June 2026
- FAHR Circular 11 of 2026: Prophet’s birthday, 28 August 2026
