Public holidays
United Arab Emirates: 13 public holiday dates in 2026 (13 days off) and 12 in 2027 (12 days off), with 250 working days in 2026 and 253 in 2027. National holidays only: regional ones are not included.
| Date | ISO week | Holiday | Day off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 1 January 2026 | 2026-W01 | New Year's Day | Yes |
| Thursday 19 March 2026 | 2026-W12 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Yes |
| Friday 20 March 2026 | 2026-W12 | Eid al-Fitr | Yes |
| Saturday 21 March 2026 | 2026-W12 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Yes |
| Sunday 22 March 2026 | 2026-W12 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Yes |
| Tuesday 26 May 2026 | 2026-W22 | Day of Arafah | Yes |
| Wednesday 27 May 2026 | 2026-W22 | Eid al-Adha | Yes |
| Thursday 28 May 2026 | 2026-W22 | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Yes |
| Friday 29 May 2026 | 2026-W22 | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Yes |
| Monday 15 June 2026 | 2026-W25 | Islamic New Year | Yes |
| Friday 28 August 2026 | 2026-W35 | Prophet's Birthday | Yes |
| Wednesday 2 December 2026 | 2026-W49 | National Day | Yes |
| Thursday 3 December 2026 | 2026-W49 | National Day | Yes |
| Date | ISO week | Holiday | Day off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 1 January 2027 | 2026-W53 | New Year's Day | Yes |
| Tuesday 9 March 2027 | 2027-W10 | Eid al-Fitr | Yes |
| Wednesday 10 March 2027 | 2027-W10 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Yes |
| Thursday 11 March 2027 | 2027-W10 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Yes |
| Saturday 15 May 2027 | 2027-W19 | Day of Arafah | Yes |
| Sunday 16 May 2027 | 2027-W19 | Eid al-Adha | Yes |
| Monday 17 May 2027 | 2027-W20 | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Yes |
| Tuesday 18 May 2027 | 2027-W20 | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Yes |
| Sunday 6 June 2027 | 2027-W22 | Islamic New Year | Yes |
| Saturday 14 August 2027 | 2027-W32 | Prophet's Birthday | Yes |
| Thursday 2 December 2027 | 2027-W48 | National Day | Yes |
| Friday 3 December 2027 | 2027-W48 | National Day | Yes |
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prophet's Birthday | Friday 28 August 2026 | Saturday 14 August 2027 | −14 days |
| Eid al-Fitr | Friday 20 March 2026 | Tuesday 9 March 2027 | −11 days |
| Day of Arafah | Tuesday 26 May 2026 | Saturday 15 May 2027 | −11 days |
| Eid al-Adha | Wednesday 27 May 2026 | Sunday 16 May 2027 | −11 days |
| Islamic New Year | Monday 15 June 2026 | Sunday 6 June 2027 | −9 days |
A shift ignores the year: +19 days means 19 days later in the calendar.
| Month | 2026 | 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21 | 20 | −1 |
| February | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| March | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| April | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| May | 17 | 19 | +2 |
| June | 21 | 22 | +1 |
| July | 23 | 22 | −1 |
| August | 20 | 22 | +2 |
| September | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| October | 22 | 21 | −1 |
| November | 21 | 22 | +1 |
| December | 21 | 21 | 0 |
| Q1 | 61 | 60 | −1 |
| Q2 | 60 | 63 | +3 |
| Q3 | 65 | 66 | +1 |
| Q4 | 64 | 64 | 0 |
| Year | 250 | 253 | +3 |
Weekdays by the local weekend (Sunday and Saturday), minus the public holidays most people have off.
The first day of the calendar year in the Gregorian calendar, 1 January. Cultures and religions that follow a lunisolar or lunar calendar celebrate their New Year at other points of the year. Japan celebrates New Year on 1 January, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, instead of with the Chinese calendar that was in use until 1873.
At work: Fine to mention, and a natural moment to wish colleagues well.
Eid al-Fitr, the "festival of breaking the fast", is the first of the two main festivals in Islam. It falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, and marks the end of the month-long, dawn-to-dusk fasting of Ramadan. It begins with a communal prayer and is followed by visits to relatives, giving gifts and sharing meals.
At work: Very welcome to mention. Its date follows the lunar calendar and shifts every year, so keep plans flexible. During Ramadan itself, colleagues who fast may prefer meetings earlier in the day and not over lunch.
Eid al-Fitr, the "festival of breaking the fast", is the first of the two main festivals in Islam. It falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, and marks the end of the month-long, dawn-to-dusk fasting of Ramadan. It begins with a communal prayer and is followed by visits to relatives, giving gifts and sharing meals.
At work: Very welcome to mention. Its date follows the lunar calendar and shifts every year, so keep plans flexible. During Ramadan itself, colleagues who fast may prefer meetings earlier in the day and not over lunch.
The Day of Arafah is an Islamic holiday on the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah. It is the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage and is followed by Eid al-Adha. Pilgrims gather on Mount Arafat and the plain of Arafat in Saudi Arabia, where the Prophet Muhammad gave one of his last sermons. Fasting on the day is highly recommended for Muslims who are not on pilgrimage.
At work: Fine to mention. A calm, reflective day, and it comes just before Eid al-Adha.
Eid al-Adha, the "festival of the sacrifice", is the second of the two main festivals in Islam. It falls on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijja, the last month of the Islamic calendar. It honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son at God's command. The Eid prayer is held in the morning, followed by the ritual sacrifice of a livestock animal, and celebrations carry on for the three following days.
At work: Very welcome to mention. As with Eid al-Fitr, the date follows the lunar calendar, so keep plans flexible.
Eid al-Adha, the "festival of the sacrifice", is the second of the two main festivals in Islam. It falls on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijja, the last month of the Islamic calendar. It honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son at God's command. The Eid prayer is held in the morning, followed by the ritual sacrifice of a livestock animal, and celebrations carry on for the three following days.
At work: Very welcome to mention. As with Eid al-Fitr, the date follows the lunar calendar, so keep plans flexible.
The Islamic (Hijri) New Year marks the beginning of a new lunar Hijri year. It is observed by most Muslims on the first day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic era begins with the Hijrah, the emigration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. It is observed as a public holiday by 24 countries.
At work: Fine to mention. A day off in the countries that observe it.
Mawlid is an annual festival commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, on 12 Rabi' al-awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar. It was first publicly celebrated by Gökböri, a deputy of Saladin, and the Ottomans declared it an official holiday. Celebrants recite religious poetry in praise of Muhammad.
At work: Respectful to mention. Not every colleague marks it in the same way.
Eid Al Etihad, also known as UAE National Day, is celebrated on 2 December to celebrate the unification of the United Arab Emirates. The seventh emirate, Ras Al Khaimah, joined the federation on 10 February 1972.
At work: Very welcome to mention. A day off.
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