Dubai, March 9, 2026 — The UAE has announced official holiday windows for Eid Al Fitr 1447 AH and published provisional dates for Eid Al Adha 1447 AH. Federal authorities set the Eid Al Fitr break for government employees, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) issued the paid-leave schedule for private-sector staff, with final festival dates remaining subject to the official crescent moon sighting.
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Eid Al Fitr holiday dates
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) has declared the Eid Al Fitr holiday for federal entities from Thursday, 19 March to Sunday, 22 March 2026, with official working hours to resume on Monday, 23 March 2026. The authority published Circular No. (2) of 2026 confirming the dates.
MoHRE issued a separate notice on 23 February 2026 stating that private-sector employees will observe a paid holiday from Thursday, 19 March to Saturday, 21 March 2026. MoHRE added that if Ramadan completes 30 days, the private-sector holiday will be extended to Sunday, 22 March 2026. Employers were asked to implement the decision in line with existing labour regulations.
Moon-sighting forecast
Astronomical calculations by the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology indicate the Shawwal crescent is unlikely to be visible on the evening of Wednesday, 18 March (29 Ramadan), and therefore forecast that Eid Al Fitr will most likely begin on Friday, 20 March 2026. Authorities reiterate that the official start of Shawwal — and the precise Eid date — will be confirmed only after the moon-sighting committee convenes at the end of Ramadan.
Government notices and emirate guidance
FAHR’s circular — issued 23 February — addresses all federal ministries, institutions, and public entities and refers to Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2024 on official holidays. MoHRE’s media statement, also dated 23 February, formalises the private-sector paid-leave window and the conditional extension clause tied to the length of Ramadan. Sharjah’s human resources department and other emirate authorities have issued matching schedules for their public employees.
Operational instructions and payroll
Dubai’s leadership has directed early salary disbursement to ensure payments reach staff ahead of the holiday. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum instructed that March salaries for Dubai government employees be released on 17 March 2026, according to government media and local reporting.
Eid Al Adha provisional dates
Government calendars and public-holiday forecasts place Arafat Day on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, followed by Eid Al Adha on Wednesday, 27 May to Friday, 29 May 2026, subject to the Dhu al-Hijjah crescent sighting. Public authorities note that the final Eid Al Adha dates will be issued after the relevant moon-sighting committee convenes in Dhu al-Hijjah.
