The UAE's anticipated holiday dates for 2026 suggest several long weekends are expected, though official confirmation is pending from the UAE Cabinet.

Although the official public holiday schedule for 2026 in the UAE is yet to be announced, residents can look forward to several significant breaks throughout the year. While some dates are predicted, they remain subject to change, particularly those related to Islamic holidays, which depend on moon sightings.

The UAE Cabinet is responsible for officially confirming the calendar of these important dates. Here are the anticipated holiday dates for 2026:

Projected 2026 UAE Holiday Dates

The New Year's Day holiday is on Thursday, January 1. This could potentially allow for a four-day weekend when coupled with the standard Friday-Saturday break.

Eid Al Fitr is projected to occur from March 18-22, spanning from Wednesday to Sunday. This timing could lead to an extended nine-day break when the holiday is combined with the following weekend.

Arafat Day is expected to be observed on Tuesday, May 26, with Eid Al Adha continuing from May 27-29. This provides residents with a midweek to weekend break.

Islamic New Year is marked on Wednesday, June 17, while the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25.

The end of the year sees three consecutive holidays: Commemoration Day on Tuesday, December 1, followed by UAE National Day festivities on Wednesday, December 2, and Thursday, December 3. If Friday is also declared a holiday, residents could enjoy a six-day break when combined with the weekend.