The UAE has officially declared UAE public holidays for 2025, covering both government and private sector institutions across the country. Issued under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 and gazetted to take effect from January 1, 2025, the schedule gives employers, businesses, schools, and residents a clear framework for planning the year ahead.
What the Cabinet Resolution Covers
The resolution is grounded in multiple legal provisions, including the UAE Constitution, Federal Law No. 11 of 2017 on Cabinet Competencies, Federal Law No. 33 of 2021 on Labour Relations, and Federal Law No. 49 of 2022 on Federal Government Human Resources.
By aligning holidays across both sectors, the UAE reaffirms its commitment to a standardised national working calendar, stronger work-life balance, and enough advance notice for citizens and residents to plan personal and professional schedules around public breaks.
Full List of UAE Public Holidays 2025
Below is the complete official list of UAE public holidays for 2025 as established under the cabinet resolution:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| March 31 | Eid Al Fitr – Day 1 |
| April 1 | Eid Al Fitr – Day 2 |
| April 2 | Eid Al Fitr – Day 3 |
| May 30 | Arafat (Waqfat Arafat) Day |
| May 31 | Eid Al Adha – Day 1 |
| June 1 | Eid Al Adha – Day 2 |
| June 2 | Eid Al Adha – Day 3 |
| June 27 | Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) |
| September 4–5 | Prophet Muhammad's Birthday |
| December 1 | Commemoration Day |
| December 2 | UAE National Day |
| December 3 | UAE National Day (second day) |
Note: Exact dates for Islamic calendar-based holidays — including Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, and the Prophet's Birthday — are subject to official moon-sighting confirmation closer to each occasion.
Weekend Carry-Over Rule
Under the new resolution, if a public holiday falls on a weekend it can be moved to allow time off on the nearest weekday. However, this carry-over rule does not apply to Eid holidays — Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha dates are fixed as announced and are not compensated with an additional day if they overlap with a Saturday or Sunday.
What This Means for Businesses and Institutions
The unified calendar helps businesses, government offices, and educational institutions plan their annual schedules well in advance. The holidays provide recurring opportunities for both sectors to observe national, cultural, and religious occasions together, strengthening social cohesion across the UAE.
Local governments retain the authority under the resolution to declare additional holidays for their own departments and entities beyond the federal list.
With the 2025 public holiday schedule now gazetted, residents and employers have everything they need to align staffing, operations, and personal travel plans for the year.
