UAE Holiday Calendar 2026 – Smart Leave Planner to Maximise Your Days Off
The UAE Holiday Calendar 2026 offers residents a perfect mix of long weekends, national celebrations, Islamic festivals, and smart opportunities to combine annual leave with public holidays. Whether you live in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, or Umm Al Quwain, planning ahead can help you enjoy more vacations while using fewer leave days.
This complete UAE 2026 Public Holiday Guide includes month-wise holidays, Islamic festival dates, long-weekend combinations, and a smart leave-planner strategy to help you maximise your time off in 2026.
The United Arab Emirates is known for its cultural diversity, vibrant lifestyle, and balanced work environment. Public holidays in the UAE allow people to travel, relax, and spend time with friends and family. The government issues unified holidays for both public and private sectors, making it easier for everyone to plan in advance.
In 2026, UAE residents will enjoy multiple extended breaks due to Eid holidays and weekend-aligned national holidays. With smart planning, even a two-day holiday can turn into a five- or seven-day vacation.
Why UAE Public Holidays 2026 Are Important for Leave Planning
Holiday planning is essential for:
- Reducing stress
- Saving annual leave days
- Planning budget-friendly travel
- Spending quality time with family
- Improving work-life balance
- Avoiding last-minute arrangements
With a well-structured UAE holiday planner 2026, you can turn long weekends into memorable trips.
Complete List of UAE Public Holidays 2026 – Month-Wise Calendar
Below is the complete list of the UAE public holidays 2026 (expected dates based on the official Islamic calendar):
January 2026 – New Year’s Day Holiday in UAE
📅 1 January 2026 (Thursday)
The first public holiday of the year is New Year’s Day, giving residents a refreshing start.
Long Weekend Opportunity:
Take leave on Friday (2 January) → Enjoy a 4-day weekend (Thu–Sun).
February 2026 – Israa & Miraj Holiday
📅 17 February 2026 (Tuesday)
Israa & Miraj marks an important Islamic event. In some years, holidays may move based on moon sighting.
Long Weekend Strategy:
Take leave on Monday (16 Feb) + Wednesday (18 Feb) → Get a 5-day break.
March 2026 – Ramadan Expected to Begin
Ramadan may start on 28 February or 1 March, depending on moon sighting. While not a public holiday, work hours are reduced, making schedules easier for families.
April 2026 – Eid-ul-Fitr Holidays in UAE (Major Break)
Expected Dates:
- Eid Holiday: 18 April 2026 (Saturday)
- Eid Holiday: 19 April 2026 (Sunday)
- Eid Holiday: 20 April 2026 (Monday)
This gives 3 consecutive holidays, but with weekend connection:
Smart Leave Plan:
Take leave on 21–22 April (Tue–Wed) → Enjoy a 7-day long holiday.
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May 2026 – Arafat Day & Eid-ul-Adha Holidays (Longest Break)
Arafat Day – 27 May 2026 (Wednesday)
Eid-ul-Adha Holidays – 28–30 May 2026 (Thu–Sat)
This period offers one of the longest holiday breaks of the year.
Smart Leave Strategy:
Take leave on Sunday (31 May) → Enjoy 5 days off.
OR
Take leave on 26 May (Tuesday) + 31 May (Sunday) → Enjoy 7 days off.
June 2026 – Islamic New Year Holiday
📅 Expected: 15 June 2026 (Monday)
A single holiday that can turn into a mini break.
Long Weekend Trick:
Take leave on Sunday (14 June) → Long weekend.
July 2026 – No Major Public Holiday
July has no major national holidays, making it a good month for annual leave if planning long travel.
August 2026 – Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday
📅 Expected: 4 August 2026 (Tuesday)
A public holiday with a good leave-extension opportunity.
Long Weekend Plan:
Take leave on Monday (3 August) → Enjoy 4 days (Sat–Tue).
Keywords: UAE public holiday August 2026, Milad un Nabi UAE 2026
December 2026 – Commemoration Day & UAE National Day Holidays
1 December 2026 – Commemoration Day (Tuesday)
2–3 December 2026 – UAE National Day (Wednesday–Thursday)
Long Weekend Opportunity:
This is one of the best long breaks of 2026. Combine with Friday + weekend:
Take leave on 30 November (Monday) → You get 6 days off (30 Nov–5 Dec).
Keywords: UAE National Day 2026 holidays, Commemoration Day UAE
Smart Leave Planner 2026 – How to Maximise Your Days Off
This planner helps you convert short holidays into long vacations:
1. Combine Mid-Week Holidays
Mid-week holidays like:
- Israa & Miraj
- Prophet’s Birthday
- Islamic New Year
can turn into 4–5 day breaks by taking 1 or 2 leave days.
2. Use Weekends Strategically
Most UAE residents get Saturday–Sunday weekends, so:
- A Thursday holiday → 3-day weekend
- A Sunday holiday → Leave Friday → 3-day weekend
- Combine UAE National Day holidays for 5–6 day escapes
3. Leverage Long Eid Breaks
Eid holidays are the best for long vacations, especially Eid-ul-Adha.
Smart leave placement gives you 7+ consecutive days off.
4. Plan Family & International Travel in Advance
Popular destinations for UAE residents during holiday months include:
- Turkey
- Maldives
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
- Saudi Arabia
- Georgia
- Europe (April–July season)
5. Book Flights Early for Eid & National Day
Airlines increase fares during Eid.
Booking 2–4 months earlier saves money.
Best Months for Travel in UAE Holiday Calendar 2026
✔ April 2026 – Eid-ul-Fitr Long Break
Perfect for international trips.
✔ May 2026 – Eid-ul-Adha Week
Ideal for big family tours.
✔ December 2026 – UAE National Day Holidays
Peak season for UAE tourists.
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Top Destinations UAE Residents Can Visit in Short Breaks
3–4 Day Trips
- Oman
- Qatar
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Georgia
- Armenia
5–7 Day Trips
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Maldives
- Türkiye
- Azerbaijan
- Singapore
Tips for Maximising Holidays in UAE 2026
- Keep track of Islamic calendar changes
- Follow UAE Government holiday announcements
- Sync personal leave with school holidays
- Use travel apps for cheapest airfares
- Keep flexible options for last-minute changes
FAQs – UAE Holiday Calendar 2026:
1. How many public holidays are there in the UAE in 2026?
There are around 14–15 official holidays, depending on moon sightings.
2. Will Eid holidays be long in 2026?
Yes, both Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha offer long breaks when combined with a few leave days.
3. Can private sector employees enjoy the same holidays?
Yes, UAE applies a unified holiday calendar for both public and private sectors.
4. Are holiday dates confirmed for 2026?
Islamic holiday dates depend on moon sighting, but expected dates are announced in advance.
5. How can I get the longest holiday in 2026?
Combine annual leave with National Day holidays (30 Nov–3 Dec) to enjoy up to 6 days.
