What To Know

  • Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is one of the most significant public holidays in the Islamic calendar.
  • At the start of the year, the UAE Cabinet confirmed there will be at least 12 public holidays in 2026, subject to official moon sightings.
  • Eid Al Fitr in the UAE signals the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan.

At the start of the year, the UAE Cabinet confirmed there will be at least 12 public holidays in 2026, subject to official moon sightings. After residents enjoyed New Year’s Day on Thursday January 1, many have been waiting to see when the next long weekend will arrive.

Here’s what you need to know.


When Is the Next UAE Public Holiday in 2026?

The next UAE public holiday will be Eid Al Fitr 2026.

The government has confirmed that Eid Al Fitr will begin on Thursday March 19, 2026.

This means employees in both the public and private sectors will enjoy a four-day long weekend.

  • Thursday March 19

  • Friday March 20

  • Saturday March 21

Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is one of the most significant public holidays in the Islamic calendar. In the UAE, the break runs from Ramadan 30 (if Ramadan is a 30-day month) until Shawwal 3.

As always, final confirmation is aligned with official moon sightings.


Why Eid Al Fitr Is One of the Biggest UAE Holidays

Eid Al Fitr in the UAE signals the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan. It is traditionally a time of celebration, family gatherings, travel and festive events across Dubai and the wider UAE.

For many residents, it is also one of the most anticipated long weekends of the year.


Full UAE Public Holidays 2026

Here is the confirmed and predicted list of UAE public holidays for 2026:

  • New Year’s Day: Thursday January 1

  • Eid Al Fitr: Thursday March 19 – Saturday March 21 (Confirmed)

  • Arafat Day: Tuesday May 26

  • Eid Al Adha: Wednesday May 27 – Friday May 29

  • Islamic New Year: Monday June 15 (official day falls Tuesday June 16; holiday moved to start of week)

  • Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH): Monday August 24 (official day falls Tuesday August 25; holiday moved to start of week)

  • National Day: Wednesday December 2 and Thursday December 3


With Eid Al Fitr confirmed for March 19–21, 2026, the UAE’s next long weekend is officially locked in. If you’re planning travel or staycations, now’s the time to start organising.

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Gerard Urbanozo is an experienced journalist with a focus on tech, travel, lifestyle, and business. He can be reached at gerard@fame.me. Passionate about writing, Gerard sees it as a powerful tool for self-expression and informing the world about emerging trends. As a seasoned writer for Dubai News, he is dedicated to delivering unbiased and honest coverage of the latest news in the region.