As we look ahead to the new year, it’s the perfect time to dream about exciting destinations and plan your travels. Take a look at the public holiday list for 2026 and start mapping out your adventures.
With Wego ’s 2026 public holiday calendar, you can identify the best opportunities to plan longer breaks. More long weekends and well-timed leaves mean more chances to explore new places and create unforgettable experiences!
New Year’s Day (1 January)
The entire world, including the UAE, will also be ringing in the new year of 2026 on Thursday, 1 January, with a customary day off.
You can extend your weekend by taking leave on Wednesday, 31 December 2025, and Friday, 2 January 2026, turning it into a five-day holiday.
Eid Al Fitr (18 – 22 March)
In 2026, Eid al-Fitr is expected to fall from Wednesday, 18 March to Sunday, 22 March, giving residents a generous five-day break from Wednesday through Sunday.
As always, the exact dates may shift depending on the moon sighting, but this period is anticipated to form one of the longest breaks of the year.
Arafat Day and Eid al Adha (26 May – 29 May)
Starting Tuesday, 26 May 2026, residents in the UAE are entitled to a four-day holiday as Arafat Day approaches, followed by three-day Eid al-Adha celebrations. Expect hotels, resorts, and theme parks to have special offers and discounts to make the most of the celebrations.
Hijri New Year (16 June)
The Islamic or Hijri New Year is set to be celebrated in the UAE on Tuesday, 16 June 2026. As the date is based on the lunar calendar, the final date may vary.
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (25 August)
The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad will be observed as a holiday in the UAE. In 2026, the event will be celebrated on Tuesday, 25 August.
According to the Islamic Lunar calendar, Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is on 12 Rabiʽ al-Awwal, the fourth month of the Islamic calendar. According to the Gregorian Solar calendar, the day varies and depends on the Moon’s sightings.
UAE National Day (2 – 3 December)
UAE National Day, also known as Union Day, will be celebrated on Wednesday, 2 December 2026, with the holiday extending through Thursday, 3 December 2026.
UAE National Day marks the annual celebration of the formation of the United Arab Emirates. Grand celebrations are held all over the country to celebrate the homeland.
Other long weekends
The students and employees of academic institutions following the Ministry of Education’s unified academic calendar for 2025–2026 will have the following confirmed break:
- UAE Spring Break: 16 March to 29 March 2026
The dates for the following breaks have not been announced by the Ministry of Education yet. We will update this section as soon as official information is released:
- UAE Summer Break
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UAE Winter Break
