Eid Al Adha 2026 UAE is now confirmed — and for residents in Dubai and across the Emirates, it delivers the biggest holiday break of the year. Four paid public holidays connect directly with the weekend, creating six consecutive days off with no annual leave required.
When Is Eid Al Adha 2026 in the UAE?
The crescent moon for Dhul Hijjah — the final month of the Islamic calendar — was forecast to be born on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at exactly 12:01 AM UAE time. Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society and a member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, stated that the moon was expected to set approximately 58 minutes after sunset that same evening, sitting at about 10 degrees above the horizon — conditions considered highly favourable for an official sighting.
Once the UAE Moon Sighting Committee confirmed the crescent on the evening of May 17, the dates were locked in. Dhul Hijjah began on Monday, May 18, placing Arafat Day on Tuesday, May 26, and Eid Al Adha from Wednesday, May 27.
Professor Hamid Al Naimiy, Director of the Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub at the University of Sharjah, had also forecast May 27 as the start of Eid Al Adha. His team's calculations were submitted to the UAE Fatwa Council to support its moon-sighting process ahead of the official declaration.
UAE Public Holiday Dates for Eid Al Adha 2026
Under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, residents in both the public and private sectors receive four paid public holidays:
- Tuesday, May 26 — Arafat Day (one-day public holiday) - Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29 — Eid Al Adha (three-day public holiday)
When paired with Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, private sector employees enjoy six consecutive days off with no annual leave required. Public sector workers and school students receive a nine-day break starting from Monday, May 25.
What Eid Al Adha Commemorates
Eid Al Adha is one of the two major Islamic festivals observed worldwide. It commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, to sacrifice his son in full obedience to God — a test that concluded when a ram was miraculously provided in his place. The occasion also marks the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, the fifth pillar of Islam and an obligation for every Muslim who is physically and financially able to perform it at least once.
In 2026, Hajj began around May 25, corresponding to the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, with the main rituals anticipated to wrap up around May 29 to 30.
The Significance of Arafat Day
Arafat Day, observed on the ninth of Dhul Hijjah and one day ahead of Eid, is the most spiritually charged day of the Hajj pilgrimage. Millions of pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat and the surrounding plain in Makkah — the site where the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, delivered one of his most significant final sermons.
For Muslims not performing Hajj, Arafat Day holds profound significance in its own right. Fasting on this day is strongly encouraged as an act of worship. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that fasting on the Day of Arafat expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year. Most Muslims spend the day in additional prayer, Quran recitation, and sincere supplication for themselves, their families, and the wider Muslim community.
In the UAE, Arafat Day is an official public holiday for both the public and private sectors.
What This Means for Workers in Dubai
The six-day Eid Al Adha 2026 break for private sector employees runs from Tuesday, May 26, through Sunday, May 31 — no annual leave required. Public sector staff and school students benefit from an extended nine-day holiday beginning Monday, May 25, with schools resuming on Monday, June 1.
All dates were subject to official moon-sighting confirmation, which was issued by the UAE Moon Sighting Committee following the crescent sighting on the evening of May 17. Keep an eye on official government channels for any updates or announcements.
