Holiday calendar

Public holidays in United Arab Emirates

dates, names and what's closed

Reviewed & updated by יהב עטיה · About the team

It's worth planning around United Arab Emirates's holiday calendar: attractions, museums and banks close, public transport switches to a holiday timetable, and flight and hotel prices around long weekends jump. On the upside — festivals, parades and markets you won't see on an ordinary day.

Coming up

Upcoming public holidays in United Arab Emirates

Wednesday 2 DecemberNational Day · اليوم الوطني
Friday 1 January 2027New Year's Day · رأس السنة الميلادية
Tuesday 5 January 2027Laylat al-Mi'raj · الإسراء والمعراج
Monday 8 February 2027First day of Ramadan · اليوم الأول من رمضان
Tuesday 9 March 2027End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) · عيد الفطر
Sunday 16 May 2027Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) · عيد الأضحى
Sunday 6 June 2027Islamic New Year · رأس السنة الهجرية
Saturday 14 August 2027Birthday of Muhammad (Mawlid) · المولد النبويّ

All 2026 holidays in United Arab Emirates

Thursday 1 JanuaryNew Year's Day · رأس السنة الميلادية
Friday 16 JanuaryLaylat al-Mi'raj · الإسراء والمعراج
Wednesday 18 FebruaryFirst day of Ramadan · اليوم الأول من رمضان
Friday 20 MarchEnd of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) · عيد الفطر
Wednesday 27 MayFeast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) · عيد الأضحى
Tuesday 16 JuneIslamic New Year · رأس السنة الهجرية
Tuesday 25 AugustBirthday of Muhammad (Mawlid) · المولد النبويّ
Wednesday 2 DecemberNational Day · اليوم الوطني

If you're timing a trip to a holiday

Flights & hotels for United Arab Emirates

Long weekends around a holiday fill up early and prices climb. Check dates around National Day (Wednesday 2 December) now.

Check flight prices to United Arab Emirates, every airline at once.

Rates in United Arab Emirates shift daily. See what your night costs now.

Q&A

Answers to your questions

What's the next public holiday in United Arab Emirates?

National Day — Wednesday 2 December.

How many public holidays does United Arab Emirates have?

United Arab Emirates has 8 public holidays in 2026. Government offices and banks close, and some attractions and shops may be closed or on reduced hours.

What's closed on public holidays in United Arab Emirates?

Banks, government offices and post offices close. Many supermarkets and shops close or run reduced hours, especially in smaller towns. Public transport usually shifts to a weekend timetable, and museums and attractions vary — check ahead.

Is it worth visiting United Arab Emirates during a holiday?

It depends on the holiday. Ones with a public tradition — markets, parades, fireworks — are an experience in themselves. Ones where everything shuts and locals stay home are less convenient. The list above flags what to expect on each date.

Are shops open on Sundays in United Arab Emirates?

Some European countries restrict Sunday and holiday trading by law; others don't. In big cities and tourist areas something is always open, but don't count on a big shop run on a Sunday or holiday.

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About this page

Written and checked by the Around the World team. We compare prices across the major providers, cross-check official sources, and update when something changes. We have no stake in any one provider — links are affiliate links, and the price is the same for you.

Sources: Dates: date-holidays

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