The UAE public holiday in August 2026 has been confirmed, giving eligible employees in Dubai and across the country a three-day weekend.
Friday, August 28, 2026, will be a paid public holiday for employees in the federal government and private sector to mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, also known as Mawlid Al Nabawi. The announcement means employees who follow the standard Saturday-to-Sunday weekend will receive three consecutive days away from work.
The break will run from Friday, August 28, through Sunday, August 30. Employees are expected to return to work on Monday, August 31, unless their employer operates a different schedule or requires them to work because of the nature of their role.
The timing is particularly significant for families because Monday, August 31, is also the official start of the 2026–2027 academic year for students at public schools and private schools following the UAE Ministry of Education curriculum.
When Is the UAE Public Holiday in August 2026?
The confirmed public holiday will fall on Friday, August 28, 2026.
Here are the key details:
- Occasion: Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday or Mawlid Al Nabawi
- Official holiday: Friday, August 28, 2026
- Eligible employees: Federal government and private-sector employees
- Long weekend: Friday, August 28, to Sunday, August 30
- Return to work: Monday, August 31
- School reopening: Monday, August 31, for students covered by the Ministry of Education calendar
The paid holiday applies to federal government and private-sector employees across the UAE. Separate confirmation has also been issued for employees working in Dubai Government departments, authorities and institutions.
Some employees may still be required to work during the holiday. This can include people working shifts, providing essential public services or managing facilities that must remain operational. In these cases, each government entity or private employer may determine working arrangements according to its operational requirements and applicable employment rules.
Why the Holiday Creates a Three-Day Weekend
The holiday falls on a Friday, immediately before the regular Saturday and Sunday weekend followed by many government offices and private companies in the UAE.
That creates a three-day break without employees needing to use their annual leave:
- Friday, August 28: Public holiday
- Saturday, August 29: Weekend
- Sunday, August 30: Weekend
- Monday, August 31: Regular work resumes
Employees whose normal working week or weekend differs should check directly with their employer. Retail, hospitality, aviation, healthcare, transport and other customer-facing industries may continue operating throughout the holiday.
The UAE’s public holiday framework allows the Cabinet to transfer certain holidays to the beginning or end of the working week. Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are excluded from this transfer provision. Any change, however, requires an official decision and should not be assumed based only on astronomical forecasts.
In this case, Friday, August 28, has now been formally announced as the holiday date.
What Is Mawlid Al Nabawi?
Mawlid Al Nabawi commemorates the birthday of Prophet Muhammad and is associated with the 12th day of Rabi Al Awwal, the third month of the Islamic Hijri calendar.
The Hijri calendar is based on lunar cycles, making it shorter than the Gregorian calendar. As a result, Islamic occasions move approximately 10 or 11 days earlier each Gregorian year. Official dates can also depend on religious and government announcements, which is why residents are advised to wait for confirmation before finalising travel or leave plans.
The occasion is generally observed through reflection on the Prophet’s life, teachings, character and message. Religious lectures, Quran recitations and community gatherings may take place at mosques and cultural institutions.
The day is more reflective than the major Eid celebrations, but it remains a significant religious occasion for Muslims in the UAE and around the world.
The Last Weekend Before Schools Reopen
The August public holiday arrives just before the beginning of the UAE’s next academic year.
According to the UAE Ministry of Education’s official academic calendar, students will begin the 2026–2027 school year on Monday, August 31. Administrative and teaching staff are scheduled to return earlier, on August 24.
For many Dubai families, the holiday weekend will therefore be the final break before school schedules, morning commutes and extracurricular activities resume.
Parents planning to travel during the long weekend should consider the school reopening date before booking flights or accommodation. Returning late on Sunday could leave limited time to prepare uniforms, school supplies, transport arrangements and morning routines for Monday.
The holiday may also increase demand for short-haul flights, hotels, staycations and family attractions. Residents considering a trip may benefit from booking early and checking cancellation conditions before confirming their plans.
What Will Be Open During the Public Holiday?
Public holidays can affect operating hours across Dubai, although the city’s main leisure and hospitality destinations generally remain open.
Residents can expect the following:
- Federal and Dubai Government offices will generally close, except for essential or operational services.
- Many private-sector offices will close unless employees work in essential or customer-facing roles.
- Shopping malls, restaurants, hotels and major attractions are expected to remain open.
- Banks may close branches while continuing to offer online, mobile and ATM services.
- Public transport may follow a special holiday timetable.
- Healthcare facilities may operate with adjusted schedules while emergency services remain available.
- Customer service centres may close or provide limited services.
The Roads and Transport Authority and other government departments typically publish revised operating hours closer to a public holiday. Residents should check official channels before visiting service centres or relying on a regular weekday timetable.
What Employees Should Confirm Before the Holiday
Although the public holiday has been announced, individual working arrangements can still vary.
Employees should confirm whether their organisation follows the standard Saturday-to-Sunday weekend and whether their position requires holiday coverage. Those scheduled to work should also check the compensation or alternative leave arrangements provided under their contract and applicable UAE employment regulations.
Employers are expected to communicate schedules in advance, particularly in industries that continue operating during public holidays.
Employees planning to extend the weekend with annual leave should submit requests early. Monday, August 31, is expected to be a normal working day and the first day of school for many families, which could affect staffing and leave approvals.
What Is the Next UAE Public Holiday?
After Mawlid Al Nabawi, the next scheduled federal public holidays are the UAE’s National Day celebrations, officially known as Eid Al Etihad.
Eid Al Etihad is observed on December 2 and 3. These dates commemorate the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 and traditionally include official ceremonies, public events and celebrations across all seven emirates.
Unlike Islamic holidays, Eid Al Etihad follows fixed Gregorian dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Friday, August 28, 2026, a paid UAE public holiday?
Yes. Friday, August 28, has been announced as a paid public holiday for federal government and private-sector employees in the UAE.
Will Dubai residents receive a three-day weekend?
Employees who normally have Saturday and Sunday off will receive a three-day break from Friday, August 28, through Sunday, August 30.
Does the holiday apply to Dubai Government employees?
Yes. Dubai Government authorities have separately confirmed the holiday for government departments, authorities and institutions. Shift workers and employees responsible for essential public services may follow different schedules.
When will employees return to work?
Most eligible employees will return on Monday, August 31, 2026. People working shifts or non-standard schedules should confirm their hours with their employer.
When do UAE schools reopen?
Students at public schools and private schools following the Ministry of Education curriculum are scheduled to begin the 2026–2027 academic year on Monday, August 31.
