This article covers what the private sector can likely expect — estimated holiday dates, your evergreen entitlements under Oman’s Labour Law, and what happens if you are asked to work during the break. For how the occasion is marked locally, see our Eid in Oman guide.
Expected Private Sector Holiday Dates for Eid Al Adha 2027
Oman’s public holidays are officially announced by the Oman News Agency (ONA) on behalf of the government, typically a few days before the holiday. For Eid Al Adha, the break historically begins on Arafat Day (9 Dhul Hijjah) and runs through 13 Dhul Hijjah — five consecutive days in total — for both the public and private sectors equally.
No separate circular is issued for the private sector; past practice has been a single announcement covering all workers.
| Date (Estimated) | Day | Occasion |
|---|---|---|
| ~15 May 2027 | Saturday | Arafat Day (9 Dhul Hijjah) — Day 1 |
| ~16 May 2027 | Sunday | Eid Al Adha (10 Dhul Hijjah) — Day 2 |
| ~17 May 2027 | Monday | 11 Dhul Hijjah — Day 3 |
| ~18 May 2027 | Tuesday | 12 Dhul Hijjah — Day 4 |
| ~19 May 2027 | Wednesday | 13 Dhul Hijjah — Day 5 |
Estimated only — not yet officially announced. Actual dates depend on the moon sighting declaration by Oman’s Ministry of Endowments & Religious Affairs (MARA). An alternate calculation places Eid Al Adha on Monday 17 May 2027.
If the estimates hold, most private-sector employees on a Sunday–Thursday workweek would likely return to work on Thursday 20 May 2027, subject to the official announcement. No annual leave is deducted; public holidays are fully paid and sit entirely outside your annual leave balance.
Your Rights Under Oman’s Labour Law
Regardless of which exact days are ultimately announced, your entitlements are set in law and do not change. Oman’s public holidays for the private sector are governed by Royal Decree No. 53/2023 (Oman Labour Law, effective 31 July 2023), Article 72.
Key Entitlements
- Fully paid: All official Eid Al Adha holiday days are paid at your normal wage — no salary deduction applies.
- Separate from annual leave: Public holidays do not eat into your annual leave entitlement.
- Holiday falling within annual leave: If Eid Al Adha days fall during an approved annual leave period, those days are excluded from the leave count — your leave balance is not charged for them.
If You Are Asked to Work During Eid Al Adha
Under Article 72 of Royal Decree No. 53/2023, an employer must issue a written directive before requiring you to work on a public holiday. Two compensation options apply.
- Option 1 — Extra pay: You receive 200% of your basic daily wage on top of your normal salary for each holiday day worked.
- Option 2 — Rest days: By mutual agreement, the employer may instead grant two paid rest days for each public holiday day worked.
If either entitlement is not honoured, you can file a complaint with the Ministry of Labour (mol.gov.om).
Where to Go This Eid Al Adha Break
A likely five-day window in mid-May makes this an excellent opportunity for a short trip. Whether you stay in Oman or fly out from Muscat, early planning is worthwhile — fares and hotel rates tend to rise once the official dates are confirmed.
Stay in Oman
- Salalah: The khareef (monsoon) season typically begins in late June, so mid-May offers warm, dry weather before the crowds arrive — ideal for beaches and wadis. Browse hotels in Salalah.
- Muscat: City breaks, Mutrah Souq, and the Grand Mosque — find hotels in Muscat.
- Jebel Akhdar: Rose-water farms and cool mountain air make this a popular Eid escape.
Short-Haul Flights From Muscat
- Dubai: Weekend city break; roughly 1 hour on Oman Air, Air Arabia, or Emirates.
- Istanbul: Culture and cuisine; around 5 hours.
- Colombo: Beaches and tea country; great-value fares on SalamAir.
- Tbilisi: Georgia’s rising popularity makes it a go-to for the Eid break.
Compare all flights from Muscat across carriers including Oman Air, SalamAir, Emirates, and Air Arabia. For more inspiration, see our Eid Al Adha travel guide for GCC travellers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Eid Al Adha 2027 expected in Oman?
Estimated around Sunday 16 May 2027, with Arafat Day falling on Saturday 15 May. These are astronomical estimates only — the official date will be declared by Oman’s Ministry of Endowments & Religious Affairs (MARA) following the moon sighting, likely a day or two before the holiday. An alternate calculation places Eid on Monday 17 May 2027.
How many days off does the private sector get for Eid Al Adha in Oman?
Historically five consecutive paid days, from Arafat Day (9 Dhul Hijjah) through 13 Dhul Hijjah. Oman has consistently applied the same break to both public and private sectors. The exact count for 2027 will be confirmed in the official ONA announcement, which has not yet been issued.
Does the Eid Al Adha holiday count against my annual leave?
No. Under Article 72 of Royal Decree No. 53/2023, public holidays are fully paid and entirely separate from annual leave. If an Eid holiday day falls during an already-approved annual leave period, that day is excluded from your leave count.
What if my employer asks me to work on Eid Al Adha?
Your employer must issue a written directive first. You are then entitled to either 200% of your basic daily wage on top of your normal salary, or — by mutual agreement — two paid rest days for each holiday day worked. These rights are set by Article 72 of Oman’s Labour Law (Royal Decree No. 53/2023).
Is there a separate Eid holiday circular for private sector workers in Oman?
No separate circular is typically issued. Based on past practice, Oman issues a single ONA announcement covering both public and private sectors equally. There is no separate Ministry of Labour directive required for private sector Eid holidays.
Sources
- Oman News Agency (ONA) — official government holiday announcements
- Ministry of Labour, Oman (mol.gov.om) — labour law enforcement and worker rights
- Ministry of Endowments & Religious Affairs, Oman (mara.gov.om) — moon sighting and Hijri date declarations
- Royal Decree No. 53/2023 — Oman Labour Law (Article 72), effective 31 July 2023
Disclaimer: All 2027 dates in this article are estimates based on astronomical calculations of the Islamic lunar calendar and are subject to change following the official moon sighting declaration by Oman’s Ministry of Endowments & Religious Affairs. They do not constitute an official announcement. Labour law information is provided for general guidance only; consult the Ministry of Labour or a qualified legal professional for advice specific to your situation.
