Every UAE public holiday left in 2026
As of 6 July 2026, the next UAE public holiday is Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, with the day off expected on Monday 24 August 2026.
Three holiday occasions remain on the UAE calendar between now and 31 December 2026, totalling at least four paid days off — enough for two long weekends with a little leave planning.
| Holiday | Expected date | Day(s) | Consecutive days off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | 24 August 2026 (day off; Hijri date falls 25 August) | Monday | 3 days (Sat–Mon) |
| Commemoration Day | 1 December 2026 | Tuesday | 1 day standalone |
| UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) | 2–3 December 2026 | Wednesday–Thursday | 3 days (Tue–Thu) |
The Hijri date for the Prophet’s Birthday falls on Tuesday 25 August 2026, but the UAE’s approved 2026 holiday calendar lists the day off as Monday 24 August, moved to the start of the week under the transferable-holiday rule. The final date remains subject to the official moon sighting.
Commemoration Day is observed on 1 December (Tuesday), the day after the 30 November national day of remembrance. National Day itself is fixed on 2–3 December. The Cabinet transferred the National Day holiday in 2025 to create a longer weekend, and a similar transfer is possible for 2026.
Note that the Islamic New Year (15 June 2026) has already passed, as has Eid Al Adha earlier in the year, so these are no longer part of the remaining 2026 calendar.
How to maximise your remaining 2026 leave
You need just two well-placed annual-leave days across the rest of 2026 to stretch the two remaining holiday breaks into long weekends of up to six days each.
The trick is to bridge each public holiday with the surrounding Saturday–Sunday weekend and one or two strategic leave days on either side.
Prophet’s Birthday: 1 leave day → 4–5 days off
Our full guide to the UAE’s Prophet’s Birthday 2026 holiday covers the expected dates, what stays open, and travel tips.
- Take Friday 21 August as annual leave. You’ll be off Fri 21 – Mon 24 August, a clean four-day weekend
- Alternatively, take Tuesday 25 August off as well if you want a five-day break covering the actual Hijri date
Commemoration Day + National Day: 1 leave day → 6 days off
This is the single biggest leave hack of the rest of the year.
- Commemoration Day (Tue 1 Dec) + National Day (Wed 2 – Thu 3 Dec) = three back-to-back public holidays
- Take Friday 4 December as one annual-leave day to bridge into the weekend
- You’re then off Tuesday 1 December through Sunday 6 December — six consecutive days for one day of leave
Where to travel from the UAE on each break
Short-haul, easy-entry destinations are the smart pick for three-to-four-day breaks, while the December National Day window is long enough for a proper week-long trip to Southeast Asia or Europe.
For the August Prophet’s Birthday long weekend (4 days)
August is peak UAE summer, so head somewhere cooler rather than another desert destination.
- Flights to Tbilisi — Georgia is visa-free for eligible UAE residents and Tbilisi sits at 21–28°C in late August
- Flights to Istanbul — four hours on Emirates or Turkish Airlines, e-visa for most nationalities
- Flights to Kutaisi — budget option into Georgia
- Flights to Tirana — Albania is visa-free for 10-year UAE residence permit holders and stays comfortable in August
Not sure where you can land without arranging a visa first? See our guide to visa-on-arrival countries for UAE residents in 2026.
For the December National Day break (6–9 days)
This is the longest break of the rest of 2026, so stretch further afield.
- Flights to Maldives — visa-on-arrival, dry season runs December to April, four hours from Abu Dhabi
- Flights to Bangkok — visa-free only for eligible passport holders under the current Thai entry rules, six hours direct
- Flights to Colombo — Sri Lanka requires an ETA before arrival for most travellers, and December is peak season for the south coast
- Flights to Singapore — visa-free only for eligible passport holders, seven hours direct on Etihad or Emirates
- Flights to Cairo — three-and-a-half hours, mild December weather, easy week to combine Cairo, Luxor, and the Red Sea
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next public holiday in the UAE?
As of 6 July 2026, the next public holiday is Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday. The UAE’s approved 2026 calendar lists the day off as Monday, 24 August 2026, moved to the start of the week. The Hijri date itself falls on Tuesday, 25 August, and remains subject to the official moon sighting.
How many public holidays are left in the UAE in 2026?
Three holiday occasions remain as of July 2026. Prophet’s Birthday (August), Commemoration Day (1 December), and UAE National Day (2–3 December). The Islamic New Year and Eid Al Adha have already passed this year.
Can my employer in the UAE refuse to give me public holidays off?
Public holidays are paid days off by law for both sectors. Under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, both public and private sector employees are entitled to the official holidays announced by the Cabinet, but if work conditions require you to work, UAE Labour Law requires compensatory leave or holiday pay.
How many annual leave days do I need to take a six-day break around UAE National Day?
Just one day. Take Friday 4 December as annual leave and you’ll be off from Tuesday 1 December through Sunday 6 December — six consecutive days for one day of leave.
Are UAE National Day dates being transferred in 2026?
Possibly — the Cabinet did transfer them in 2025, moving the days off to 1–2 December. National Day is officially 2–3 December but the Cabinet can move the holiday under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 (effective January 2025). Watch for an official announcement closer to the date.
Sources
- The Official Platform of the UAE Government (u.ae) — Public Holidays
- UAE Legislation — Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 Concerning Public Holidays in the State
- Time Out Dubai — When Is Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday 2026 and Will UAE Get a Day Off?
- Gulf News — UAE Public Holidays 2026: Next Day Off and Upcoming Breaks Explained
- Khaleej Times — UAE Transfers National Day Holiday to Give Residents a Longer Break for Eid Al Etihad (2025)
- Embassy of Georgia to the UAE — Visa Information
- Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania — Visa Regime for Foreign Citizens
- Time Out Dubai — UAE Public Holidays 2026: All the Days Off This Year Revealed
Islamic holiday dates depend on the official moon sighting and the UAE Cabinet’s announcement, so they may shift by a day. Confirm the final dates with official UAE government channels before booking.
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
