The UAE government has announced the official public holiday calendar for 2026. This allows families and businesses to plan their year. The calendar includes a mix of fixed and flexible dates. The year is set to have at least 12 public holidays. These will offer several long weekend opportunities.
The Full List of 2026 Public Holidays
Here are the confirmed and predicted dates for 2026.
Fixed Date Holidays (Gregorian Calendar)
These dates are the same every year.
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January 1 (Thursday): New Year’s Day
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December 2 & 3 (Wednesday & Thursday): Commemoration Day and UAE National Day
Islamic Calendar Holidays (Subject to Moon Sighting)
These dates are based on astronomical predictions. They will be confirmed by moon-sighting committees.
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March 20 – 22 (Fri – Sun): Eid Al Fitr
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May 26 (Tuesday): Arafat Day
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May 27 – 29 (Wed – Fri): Eid Al Adha
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June 16 (Tuesday): Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year 1448)
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September 4 (Friday): Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday
Expected Long Weekends in 2026
The holiday calendar creates several excellent long breaks.
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Eid Al Fitr Break: Expected from Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22. This is a three-day weekend marking the end of Ramadan.
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Eid Al Adha Break: This could be the longest break. With Arafat Day on Tuesday, May 26 and Eid from May 27-29, combining it with the weekend could allow for a six-day holiday from May 26-31.
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UAE National Day Break: The holidays on Wednesday, December 2 and Thursday, December 3 will create a four-day weekend when combined with Friday and Saturday.
Important Rules to Remember
The UAE follows specific rules for public holidays:
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Holidays that fall on a weekend are not moved or added later.
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Except for Eid, some fixed holidays may be moved to create a long weekend. The government will announce this.
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Official moon sightings are final. The predicted dates may change slightly.
2026 School Holiday Breaks
Public holidays often align with school vacations. Here is a summary for 2026:
For Ministry of Education (MOE) Curriculum Schools:
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Winter Break: December 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026
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Spring Break & Eid Al Fitr: March 16 – 29
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Mid-Term & Eid Al Adha Break: May 25 – 29
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Summer Break for Staff: Starts July 18
For Dubai Private Schools (KHDA):
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Winter Break: December 15 – January 5
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Spring Break: March 16 – 30
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Academic Year End: Varies between late March and early July.
Final Planning Advice
The 2026 calendar offers great chances for travel and family time. Always wait for the official government announcement for Islamic holidays. This is especially important for Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. Start planning your long weekends now.
