United Arab Emirates
2026 UAE holidays
A list of United Arab Emirates holidays for 2026, including observed dates and stock market closures.
| Date | Holiday | Type | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, January 1, 2026 | New Year's Day | Public holiday | – |
| Friday, March 20, 2026 | Eid al-Fitr | Public holiday | Projected date; Islamic holidays are confirmed by moon sighting. |
| Saturday, March 21, 2026 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Public holiday | Projected date; Islamic holidays are confirmed by moon sighting. |
| Sunday, March 22, 2026 | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Public holiday | Projected date; Islamic holidays are confirmed by moon sighting. |
| Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | Arafat Day | Public holiday | Projected date; Islamic holidays are confirmed by moon sighting. |
| Thursday, May 28, 2026 | Eid al-Adha | Public holiday | Projected date; Islamic holidays are confirmed by moon sighting. |
| Friday, May 29, 2026 | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Public holiday | Projected date; Islamic holidays are confirmed by moon sighting. |
| Saturday, May 30, 2026 | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Public holiday | Projected date; Islamic holidays are confirmed by moon sighting. |
| Tuesday, June 16, 2026 | Islamic New Year | Public holiday | Projected date; Islamic holidays are confirmed by moon sighting. |
| Tuesday, August 25, 2026 | Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | Public holiday | Projected date; Islamic holidays are confirmed by moon sighting. |
| Wednesday, December 2, 2026 | UAE National Day | Public holiday | – |
| Thursday, December 3, 2026 | UAE National Day Holiday | Public holiday | – |
Source basis: UAE Government — public holidays. Last updated: June 2026.
Practical uses
PTO and leave planning
Use this list to plan your annual leave around UAE public holidays. Combining a holiday with a weekend can create longer breaks — see the uae long weekends in 2026 for pre-built three-day and four-day weekends.
Payroll and deadlines
Public holidays affect payroll processing deadlines and direct deposit schedules. When a holiday falls on a weekday, it reduces the number of business days in that period. See business days in 2026 for net working day counts per month.
School and childcare
Public holidays typically mean school closures, but exact dates vary by state, province or region. Check your local school district or education authority for the full academic calendar.
Travel and events
Book travel early around major holidays like New Year's Day and UAE National Day Holiday when demand — and prices — are typically highest.
Frequently asked questions
- Do holidays that fall on a weekend get observed on a different day?
- UAE Islamic holiday dates are confirmed by official moon sighting announcements, so projected dates can shift by a day.
- Are these national or regional holidays?
- These are UAE national public holidays. Islamic holidays are projected until confirmed by the UAE government.
- Can I download these holidays for my calendar app?
- Yes. Download the ICS file to import into Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook. Or download the CSV file to open in Excel or Google Sheets.
- How many public holidays fall on weekdays in 2026?
- 9 of the 12 public holidays in 2026 fall on weekdays. 3 fall on a weekend.