International Youth Day on 12 August is a UN-recognised observance marked in the UAE through government youth programmes, social media campaigns, and events organised by organisations such as the UAE Youth Council and the Ministry of Community Development. The UAE has a notably young national population and places strong policy emphasis on youth empowerment, Emiratisation, and leadership development. It carries no public holiday status. ---
Public Holidays & Islamic Festivals in the UAE 2026
Discover the official 2026 public holiday calendar for the United Arab Emirates. Plan your schedule around UAE National Day, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, and other significant national observances.
Last verified: June 2026
Public Holidays & Observances List
Prophet Muhammad's Birthday / Mawlid (Tentative) is a statutory public holiday in the UAE, observed on the 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal in the Islamic Hijri calendar to mark the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The exact date is subject to the official moon sighting announcement and may shift by a day or two from the tentative date listed. The day is marked with mosque gatherings, recitations of religious poetry and hymns (nasheed), and reflections on the life and teachings of the Prophet.
- Mosques and Islamic cultural centres across the UAE hold special Mawlid programmes including religious lectures, Quran recitation, and communal prayers, with large gatherings particularly in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
- The UAE government frequently uses the occasion to issue messages of peace, tolerance, and the values of Islamic civilisation, aligning with the country's broader messaging on moderate Islam and interfaith understanding.
International Literacy Day on 8 September is acknowledged in the UAE through school programmes, library initiatives, and campaigns by the Ministry of Education and cultural bodies including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, which has invested heavily in literacy and knowledge development across the Arab world. It carries no public holiday status but is recognised within the education sector and civil society. ---
Halloween on 31 October is an informal cultural observance in the UAE, primarily celebrated within the expatriate community through themed parties, events at hotels and entertainment venues, and costume events for children in residential compounds and international schools. It carries no public holiday status and has no religious or cultural roots in the region. Many malls and entertainment destinations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi organise family-friendly Halloween programming to cater to the large Western expatriate population. ---
UAE Flag Day on 3 November is a national observance introduced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2013, calling on citizens and residents to raise the UAE flag at homes, offices, and public buildings as a symbol of national pride and unity. It is not a public holiday but is observed with genuine enthusiasm, with government buildings, towers, and landmarks across the country draped in the UAE's red, green, white, and black flag. Schools, government entities, and corporations participate in flag-raising ceremonies on this day. ---
Commemoration Day on 30 November is a statutory public holiday in the UAE, introduced in 2015 to honour the memory of UAE soldiers and civilians who have fallen in service to the nation. It is observed with deep solemnity — an official minute of silence at 11:30 am, the lowering of flags to half-mast, and national moments of reflection. The day holds particular emotional significance for Emirati families with relatives serving in the UAE Armed Forces.
- At 11:30 am on Commemoration Day, a nationwide moment of silence is observed simultaneously across the UAE, with cars stopping on roads, employees pausing in offices, and entire communities standing in tribute to fallen heroes.
- Schools, government entities, and media organisations dedicate programmes, exhibitions, and broadcasts to honouring the sacrifice of UAE martyrs (shuhada), with particular attention to their stories and the families they leave behind.
UAE National Day on 2 December is the most significant national public holiday in the UAE, marking the formation of the federation of seven emirates on 2 December 1971. It is celebrated with extraordinary scale and national pride — fireworks displays over Dubai Creek and Abu Dhabi's Corniche, military parades, light shows on skyscrapers, and car convoys draped in the national flag are all defining images of the day. Emiratis and long-term residents alike mark the occasion with deep pride in the country's remarkable development over five decades.
- The UAE National Day fireworks displays in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are among the most spectacular in the world, with the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, and Abu Dhabi's Corniche serving as backdrops for shows that draw millions of spectators and social media audiences globally.
- Traditional Emirati performances — including Al Ayala (the stick dance), Al Razfa poetry, and camel parades — are featured at national celebrations, showcasing the cultural heritage of the UAE alongside its modern achievements.
UAE National Day Holiday on 3 December is the second consecutive day of the UAE National Day public holiday, extending the national celebrations and ensuring all workers receive an adequate break during one of the country's most important occasions. The two-day holiday structure allows for official ceremonies on 2 December and more relaxed community celebrations, family gatherings, and public events on 3 December. The full holiday period is confirmed annually by the government and may be extended by decree.
- Public parks, beaches, and community spaces across all seven emirates remain filled with residents celebrating throughout the National Day Holiday, with free public entertainment events, fireworks, and cultural programmes running across both days.
- Many families use the National Day holiday to travel within the UAE — visiting the heritage villages of Al Ain, the mangroves of Umm Al Quwain, or the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah — combining national pride with domestic tourism.
Christmas Eve on 24 December is an informally observed cultural occasion in the UAE, embraced by the country's large Christian expatriate community — which includes significant populations from the Philippines, India, Europe, the Americas, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Churches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates hold Midnight Mass services, and hotels and restaurants run fully booked Christmas Eve programmes. It carries no public holiday status in the UAE. ---
Christmas Day on 25 December is observed by the UAE's Christian expatriate community and celebrated commercially and socially across the country, though it is not a statutory public holiday. Malls, hotels, and entertainment venues are richly decorated throughout December, and Christmas Day itself sees family gatherings, church services, and festive meals among the Christian community. The UAE's tradition of tolerance and coexistence means Christmas is observed openly and freely, with no restrictions on its celebration. ---
New Year's Eve on 31 December is one of the most anticipated cultural events in the UAE, drawing millions of residents and tourists to countdown celebrations across the country. Dubai's Burj Khalifa is the centrepiece of a globally broadcast fireworks and light show, while Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and other emirates stage their own major events. It carries no public holiday status, though many private sector employers allow early closing or flexibility given the scale of the celebrations. ---
UAE Public Holidays in 2026: The Complete Guide
Planning your year around the UAE's public holiday calendar requires understanding two distinct systems running in parallel: the Gregorian calendar, which governs fixed dates like New Year's Day and UAE National Day, and the Islamic Hijri lunar calendar, which determines the dates of Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, the Islamic New Year, Arafat Day, and the Prophet's Birthday. Getting both right is essential for residents, businesses, and HR teams managing leave across a workforce as diverse as the UAE's.
Understanding UAE's Public Holidays and the Hijri Calendar
The UAE observes eight statutory public holidays per year, with the exact number of days off varying — particularly for the two Eid holidays, which are typically awarded three to four days for public sector employees and confirmed separately for the private sector. The Hijri calendar is a purely lunar system, shorter than the Gregorian year by approximately eleven days, which means Islamic holidays fall progressively earlier each Gregorian year. For 2026, all Islamic public holiday dates listed in this calendar are tentative pending official announcement by the UAE Moon Sighting Committee.
Moon sighting in the UAE is conducted by the committee under the Judicial Department, and their announcement — typically made the evening before the holiday begins — is the definitive confirmation. Employers, schools, and individuals planning around these dates in 2026 should monitor official UAE government channels for timely confirmation. Building one to two days of flexibility into any scheduling that depends on Islamic holiday dates is strongly advisable.
Long Weekends and Eid Holidays in 2026
The two Eid periods are the longest and most anticipated holiday breaks in the UAE calendar. Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and Eid-ul-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, each typically carry a three-to-four-day public holiday block for government employees, with private sector entitlements confirmed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. When either Eid falls close to a weekend, the resulting extended break can span five to six consecutive days — making these the primary periods for international travel by UAE residents.
UAE National Day on 2 and 3 December provides a reliable two-day public holiday each year, and Commemoration Day on 30 November — observed the day before — means late November to early December is consistently one of the most holiday-dense periods of the UAE year. Checking whether UAE National Day falls mid-week or adjacent to a weekend in 2026 is worthwhile for anyone planning end-of-year events or travel.
Plan Ahead with the Printable PDF Calendar
The simplest way to stay on top of the UAE's full public holiday schedule in 2026 is with a dedicated printable PDF calendar designed for UAE residents. A well-structured 2026 UAE holiday calendar should flag all tentative Islamic holiday dates clearly, show the confirmed dates once announced, and include both public and private sector holiday information where they differ.
Our downloadable 2026 UAE public holiday calendar covers all statutory holidays, tentative Hijri-based dates with update notes, and key cultural observances throughout the year. Formatted for A4 printing, it's ready to display in offices, share with HR teams, or use for personal planning — so you can map out every long weekend and major occasion in 2026 well in advance.