Eid Al Adha 2026 UAE public holidays are officially confirmed, and the dates are lining up for one of the best long weekends the country has seen this year. Starting Tuesday, May 26, residents across the Emirates are in for a six-day break, with a very easy path to nine days if you play your leave right.
Here is everything you need to know before you start booking.
What Are the Official Eid Al Adha 2026 UAE Holiday Dates?
Arafah Day is expected to fall on Tuesday, May 26, followed by Eid Al Adha, which adds three more days of public holiday from Wednesday, May 27, to Friday, May 29, as officially approved by the UAE Cabinet.
Combined with the weekend on Saturday and Sunday, residents can expect a six-day break in total
As with all Islamic holidays, final dates remain subject to the official UAE moon sighting. Predictions have been consistent, but confirmation will come closer to the date.
The full holiday breakdown:
- Tuesday, May 26 — Arafah Day (public holiday)
- Wednesday, May 27 — Eid Al Adha Day 1 (public holiday)
- Thursday, May 28 — Eid Al Adha Day 2 (public holiday)
- Friday, May 29 — Eid Al Adha Day 3 (public holiday)
- Saturday–Sunday, May 30–31 — Weekend
All dates remain subject to official UAE moon sighting confirmation.
How to Extend the Eid Al Adha 2026 UAE Holiday to Nine Days
By taking Monday, May 25 as annual leave—just one day—residents could secure a nine-day break, combining the preceding weekend on May 23 and 24, the single leave day, and the full run of public holidays through to Sunday, May 31.
That is nine consecutive days off with only one annual leave day spent. If you have not already filed that request, do it now. Popular travel dates for this period are already filling up.
Planning ahead is essential, especially during peak travel periods like Eid holidays. Apply early, follow your company’s HR procedures, and stay flexible if your requested dates clash with operational needs.
Who Gets the Eid Al Adha 2026 UAE Days Off?
Both sectors are covered.
The UAE government grants four days of paid leave for Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha. Both the UAE public sector and private sector typically receive the same number of public holidays each year, under a unified calendar.
What Is Arafah Day and Why Does It Matter?
Arafah Day is not just the start of the long weekend — it is one of the most significant days in the Islamic calendar.
Arafat Day is observed on the ninth day of Dhu Al Hijja — the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar — with Eid Al Adha beginning on its tenth day.
Hajj is one of the greatest deeds in Islam, as it teaches patience and good ethics, and its rituals are said to bring a person closer to their creator.
Eid Al Adha commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command, and coincides with the end of the Hajj season, when worshippers travel to Makkah to observe the Islamic pilgrimage.
What to Do During the Eid Al Adha 2026 UAE Long Weekend
Whether you are staying in the UAE or heading out of the country, the options are wide open. Staycation deals typically launch in the weeks leading up to Eid, with hotels in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah rolling out packages. International flight prices during this window tend to spike, so booking well in advance is the smarter call.
If you are staying local, Dubai’s malls, beaches, and dining scene all see major activity during Eid.
For full details on UAE public holiday rules and how leave carries over, visit the UAE Government’s official portal.
Start Planning Now
Flights, staycations, and hotel deals for the Eid Al Adha period are already getting picked up fast. Whether you are heading out of the country or keeping it local, the earlier you sort your plans, the better your options are going to look.
With a six-day window confirmed and nine days within reach, this is shaping up to be the standout public holiday of 2026 in the UAE.
Cover Image: AI-Generated for Illustration Purposes
