UAE Public Holidays 2026: Official Dates and What They Mean for Visitors

The UAE has seven official public holidays, and they apply to both the public and private sectors. Two have fixed dates: New Year’s Day (1 January) and National Day (2 and 3 December). The Islamic holidays follow the Hijri calendar and depend on moon sighting, so their Gregorian dates move each year and are confirmed by official announcement close to the time. This page lists only the 2026 dates officially announced by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) or the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).

Key facts

• Who announces: FAHR for federal government employees; MoHRE for the private sector. Both follow Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 on official holidays.
• Moon sighting: the UAE government portal says Islamic holidays are determined by moon sighting.
• No moving holidays: under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, a holiday is not moved to another day if it falls on a weekend or on another holiday.
• Ramadan length: if Ramadan lasts 30 days, day 30 counts as an official Eid Al Fitr holiday.

The official holiday list

The UAE government portal (u.ae, updated 2 July 2026) lists these holidays for both sectors:

2026 dates officially announced

We have left out the 2026 Hijri New Year holiday because we could not find its announcement on an official page. National Day 2026 had not been announced when we checked on 2 October 2026. The holiday rule is 2 and 3 December, but the observed dates can differ: in 2025, MoHRE announced 1 and 2 December as the private-sector National Day (Eid Al Etihad) holiday. No 2027 dates had been officially announced either. We will add these when FAHR or MoHRE publishes them.

Why do Islamic holiday dates change?

Eid Al Fitr, Arafah Day, Eid Al Adha, the Hijri New Year and the Prophet’s birthday follow the Hijri (lunar) calendar. u.ae says these holidays are set by moon sighting, so the exact Gregorian dates are only confirmed shortly before each one. Announcements can also allow for either possible date, as the 2026 Eid Al Fitr announcement for the private sector did.

What do public holidays mean for visitors?

• Public transport hours can change. Dubai Airports notes that Metro hours may be extended on public holidays, and RTA publishes holiday service times for each occasion. Check RTA close to your travel date.
• Federal government offices close on the announced holiday dates. If you need government services, check opening days before you go.
• Book flights and hotels early. If your trip overlaps an Eid or National Day, allow for dates that are confirmed only shortly beforehand.

Visiting during Ramadan

Ramadan is not a public holiday, but it changes daily life. The UAE government portal’s Ramadan page says:

• Non-Muslims can find places to eat in shopping malls, where restaurants and food courts have areas set apart from people who are fasting.
• Restaurants may change their daytime hours but open fully at Iftar, the meal at sunset.
• Amusement parks, restaurants, and cultural and tourist sites stay open during the day, supermarkets keep normal hours, and malls stay open late.
• Working hours are reduced by two hours a day under UAE labour law. MoHRE confirmed this for the private sector for Ramadan 2026.
• People greet each other with “Ramadan Kareem” or “Ramadan Mubarak”.

Rules and guidance can change. Check the UAE government portal before you travel.

Plan your trip

• UAE Travel Guide
• UAE visa and entry
• DXB airport transfers
• Prayer times in the UAE
• Umrah packages from the UAE 2026

FAQ

Do public and private sector employees get the same holidays?

u.ae lists the same seven holidays for both sectors. Exact dates are announced separately: by FAHR for federal government employees and by MoHRE for the private sector.

When was Eid Al Fitr 2026?

FAHR set the federal holiday from 19 to 22 March 2026. MoHRE set 19 to 21 March for the private sector, extended to 22 March if Ramadan lasted 30 days.

When is National Day 2026?

The rule is 2 and 3 December, but the 2026 holiday dates had not been announced on 2 October 2026.

Why are Eid dates announced so late?

Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar and are set by moon sighting, so dates are confirmed close to the occasion.

If a holiday falls on a weekend, is it moved?

No. Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 says a public holiday is not moved if it falls on a weekend or on another holiday.

Are tourist attractions open during Ramadan?

u.ae says amusement parks, restaurants, and cultural and tourist sites remain open during the day, and malls stay open late.