What To Know
- “With the exception of Eid holidays, the Cabinet may – pursuant to a resolution it issues – transfer any of the public holidays referred to in Article (1) of this Resolution to the beginning or end of the week.
- For now, Dubai residents can look forward to a likely long weekend in March — even if Eid Al Fitr 2026 remains firmly anchored to the weekend calendar.
- This means that even if Eid Al Fitr overlaps with Saturday or Sunday — which form the standard weekend in Dubai — the holiday cannot be shifted to create additional weekday leave.
Eid Al Fitr 2026 is fast approaching, marking the second public holiday of the year in Dubai and across the UAE. With Ramadan already underway, residents are counting down to the long weekend that will signal the end of the Holy Month.
The UAE government has confirmed a three-day break to mark Eid Al Fitr, running from Shawwal 1 to Shawwal 3. If Ramadan completes 30 days, the final day of Ramadan will also be treated as an official holiday.
When Is Eid Al Fitr 2026 in Dubai?
Based on current astronomical predictions, Eid Al Fitr 2026 is expected to begin on Thursday, March 19.
If confirmed, residents would have:
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Thursday, March 19
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Friday, March 20
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Saturday, March 21
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Sunday, March 22
This would create a four-day long weekend for many workers in Dubai and across the UAE.
As always, the final dates will depend on the official sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon.
Why Eid Al Fitr Won’t Be Shifted from the Weekend
Under the UAE public holiday law introduced in 2025, certain Islamic holidays can be moved if they fall on a weekend. However, the legislation clearly states that Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are exceptions.
The law specifies:
“With the exception of Eid holidays, the Cabinet may – pursuant to a resolution it issues – transfer any of the public holidays referred to in Article (1) of this Resolution to the beginning or end of the week.”
This means that even if Eid Al Fitr overlaps with Saturday or Sunday — which form the standard weekend in Dubai — the holiday cannot be shifted to create additional weekday leave.
Could Other Holidays Be Moved?
While Eid holidays are fixed, other Islamic occasions such as the Islamic New Year or the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (PBUH) may be shifted if they fall on a weekend, subject to Cabinet approval.
The resolution also allows individual emirates to introduce additional public holidays if they choose.
For now, Dubai residents can look forward to a likely long weekend in March — even if Eid Al Fitr 2026 remains firmly anchored to the weekend calendar.
