As UAE residents wrap up the extended Eid Al Fitr holiday this week, travel agents and families are already looking ahead to the next getaway. If you are logging back into work and wondering, “When is the next public holiday in the UAE?”, we have some excellent news.
A massive, multi-day break is just around the corner—and with one smart annual leave trick, you can turn it into a nine-day vacation.
Whether you work in the private sector or government, here is your definitive guide to the upcoming UAE public holidays for 2026, complete with school holiday alignments and answers to your most-searched dates.
What are the next upcoming holidays in the UAE?
The next official federal public holiday in the UAE is Arafat Day, which is expected to fall on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
This single day off is immediately followed by Eid al-Adha, bringing three additional days of public holidays from Wednesday, May 27, to Friday, May 29. When attached to the standard Saturday and Sunday weekend, UAE residents are automatically looking at a spectacular six-day-long weekend at the end of May.
The 9-Day Leave Hack: Maximize your annual leave
Travel forums are currently trending with the search: How to get a 9-day holiday in UAE in 2026? The math is simple. Because the Eid Al Adha break is expected to begin on Tuesday, May 26, you only need to request one day of annual leave on Monday, May 25. By bridging the previous weekend with the Eid holidays, you will unlock a continuous nine-day vacation from Saturday, May 23, returning to the office on Monday, June 1.
Additionally, this late-May break aligns perfectly with several international school mid-term dates, making it the ultimate window for family travel before the peak summer heat sets in.
The Official UAE Public Holidays 2026 List
The UAE Cabinet previously announced that the holiday calendar applies equally to both the public and private sectors to ensure a balanced work-life environment. Note: While Gregorian dates are fixed, Islamic holidays rely on official moon sightings.
| Holiday | Expected Gregorian Date | Expected Days Off |
| Arafat Day | May 26 (Tuesday) | 1 Day |
| Eid Al Adha | May 27 – 29 (Wednesday – Friday) | 3 Days |
| Islamic New Year | June 16 (Tuesday) | 1 Day |
| Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | August 25 (Tuesday) | 1 Day |
| Commemoration Day | November 30 (Monday) | 1 Day |
| UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) | December 2 – 3 (Wednesday – Thursday) | 2 Days |
Reader FAQ: Busting your 2026 holiday queries
With multiple dates floating around social media, we checked the official government roster to answer the internet’s most frequently searched holiday questions:
Is September 5 a holiday in the UAE?
No. September 5 is not an official public holiday in the Emirates. Businesses and schools will operate on their standard schedules.
Is October 8 a holiday in the UAE?
No. There are no official federal holidays in the month of October for either the public or private sectors.
Is December 3 a holiday in the UAE?
Yes. December 3 is an official public holiday marking the second day of the UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) celebrations. Because December 2 and 3 fall on a Wednesday and Thursday in 2026, taking Friday off will grant you a beautiful five-day winter weekend.
How many public holidays are there in the UAE in 2026?
There are up to 14 expected days off for public holidays in 2026.
When will the UAE public holidays 2027 list be released?
The official calendar for the following year is typically announced by the UAE Cabinet in late November.
Start submitting those annual leave requests early—flights and hotels for the May long weekend are already seeing a surge in bookings!
