UAE Public Holidays 2026: Remaining Days Off This Year

With the Islamic New Year holiday now behind us, UAE residents have two major holiday periods remaining on the 2026 calendar: the Prophet’s Birthday in August and UAE National Day in December. Under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, the country’s official holidays apply equally to public and private sector employees, with the Cabinet able to shift certain dates to create longer weekends.

Here is the complete breakdown of what is left, the expected dates, and how to plan around them.

Quick Facts

Major holiday periods remaining: 2
Next holiday: Prophet’s Birthday (expected around August 24–25, 2026)
Final holiday of the year: UAE National Day (December 2–3, 2026)
Governing law: UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024

Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid Al Nabawi) — Next Up

The next public holiday on the UAE calendar is Prophet’s Birthday, also known as Mawlid Al Nabawi or Eid Milad un Nabi, marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on the 12th day of Rabi Al Awwal in the Islamic calendar.

The date is expected to fall around Tuesday, August 25, 2026, though as with all Hijri calendar dates, this remains subject to official confirmation based on moon sighting and Cabinet announcement. Several UAE-based outlets, including Time Out Dubai and Time Out Abu Dhabi, predict the holiday could be moved to Monday, August 24, under the country’s transferable-holiday rule, which would give residents a three-day weekend. The final arrangement will only be confirmed once the UAE Cabinet issues its official announcement closer to the date.

This day is typically observed in a respectful and spiritual manner, with many residents attending sermons or reflecting on the life of the Prophet, while public celebrations tend to remain low-key compared to other holidays.

UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) — The Year’s Biggest Closing Celebration

The final official holiday of 2026 will be UAE National Day, also known as Eid Al Etihad, commemorating the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. The holiday is fixed on December 2 and 3, 2026 (Wednesday and Thursday).

With the standard Friday–Saturday weekend following immediately afterward, residents could enjoy an extended break without needing to apply for much annual leave. In previous years, the UAE Cabinet has used its authority under the transfer rule to extend National Day into a longer weekend, and a similar arrangement is possible again for 2026, though this would require official confirmation closer to the date.

What About Commemoration Day?

Several private holiday-tracking websites and calendars continue to list Commemoration Day (formerly known as Martyrs’ Day) around November 30 or December 1 each year, observed in honor of Emirati personnel who died in service of the country. However, this occasion is not consistently listed as a standalone public holiday on the UAE’s official government portal, and its status alongside National Day each year depends on the Cabinet’s specific holiday announcement for that period. Residents should watch for an official 2026 holiday calendar update closer to December for confirmation.

Understanding the UAE’s Public Holiday Transfer Rules

The UAE’s public holiday system includes specific rules that determine how holidays are observed when they fall midweek or close to a weekend:

Article 2: Most official holidays, excluding Eid holidays, may be shifted to the start or end of the working week by Cabinet decision, allowing for longer weekends.
Article 3: If a holiday falls on a weekend or overlaps with another public holiday, it is not carried forward to the next working day.
Article 4: Local governments in individual emirates may approve additional holidays for their own departments on special occasions.

These rules explain why holidays such as Prophet’s Birthday and National Day are often shifted by a day or two once the Cabinet issues its official confirmation closer to the date.

How to Maximize Your Annual Leave Around These Holidays

Strategic planning around the remaining 2026 holidays can significantly increase total time off. The key opportunity lies in midweek holidays, where the transfer rule applies and can bridge a single day off into a long weekend with minimal annual leave used.

For example, if Prophet’s Birthday is officially moved to Monday, August 24, employees would only need to use leave on the surrounding days to potentially extend the break further.

UAE Public Holidays 2026 So Far

Holiday	Date(s)	Day(s)	Days Off
New Year’s Day	January 1	Thursday	1 Day
Eid Al Fitr	March 20–22	Fri–Sun	Up to 4 Days
Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha	May 26–29	Tue–Fri	Up to 4 Days
Islamic New Year	June 15	Monday	1 Day
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH)	Around August 24–25*	Mon–Tue	1 Day
UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)	December 2–3	Wed–Thu	2 Days

Subject to moon sighting and official Cabinet confirmation.

FAQ — UAE Public Holidays 2026

What is the next public holiday in the UAE after Islamic New Year?

The next public holiday is Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid Al Nabawi), expected around Tuesday, August 25, 2026, though it may be moved to Monday, August 24, pending official confirmation.

When is UAE National Day in 2026?

UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) falls on December 2 and 3, 2026 (Wednesday and Thursday), with a longer break possible if the Cabinet bridges it into the following weekend.

Is Commemoration Day an official public holiday in 2026?

Various holiday calendars list Commemoration Day around late November or December 1, but it is not consistently confirmed as a standalone public holiday on the UAE’s official government portal. Residents should check for an official 2026 announcement closer to the date.

Can UAE public holidays be moved to create a long weekend?

Yes. Under Article 2 of Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, most holidays (excluding Eid holidays) can be shifted to the start or end of the working week by Cabinet decision.

Do UAE public holidays apply to both public and private sector employees?

Yes. Public holidays announced by the UAE Cabinet apply to all seven Emirates and are paid days off by law for both public and private sector employees.