Prior to the year 2026, the residents and visitors of the UAE are in for a treat of a series of public holidays hosted by the UAE that will allow them to wind down and have fun. Being aware of the UAE public holidays 2026 will give holiday planning opportunities with family reunions and community events. This is an insight to the following days off next year.
Major Public Holidays in 2026
The government of the UAE typically declares public holidays on the lunar calendar, and thus, actual dates will differ slightly as the observation of the moon will vary. However, the most likely 2026 UAE public holidays that will be celebrated are the following.
New Year’s Day: Thursday, January 1, 2026
It is a public holiday to celebrate the beginning of the New Year and festivities across the country.
Eid al-Fitr: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Based on the forecast, Eid al-Fitr (the end of Ramadan) should be celebrated over a festive period of of few days. The date might change depending on when one sees the moon, but probably on this day.
Arafat Day: June 28, 2026 (Sunday)
Arafat Day is an important day for Muslims because it is the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage. It is succeeded by Eid al-Adha.
Eid al-Adha: June 29, 2026 (Monday)
It is an observed festival of three days marking Ibrahim’s readiness to sacrifice his son. The festival is likely to last up to July 1, 2026.
Islamic New Year: July 18, 2026 (Saturday)
Islamic New Year marks the start of the new Islamic calendar year. It is a holiday that is celebrated with different cultural festivities.
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday: September 26, 2026 (Sunday)
It is a celebration to celebrate the birth year of the Prophet Muhammad and to remember him worldwide.
National Day: Wednesday, December 2, 2026
National Day is a time to celebrate all seven emirates joined together, and that is why they celebrate with parades and fireworks, and other festivities throughout the UAE.
Commemoration Day: Tuesday, December 1, 2026
This holiday is a celebration of the martyrdom of the Emirati martyrs, and it is observed before National Day celebrations.
Planning Around the Holidays
With knowledge of the UAE public holiday in the year 2026, residents can plan their work plan, vacations, and family reunion accordingly. Most of the companies and government offices will be closed during these days, and public transport will operate on a low frequency during these days.
In addition, the holidays tend to provide vacation opportunities since most of the inhabitants prefer to take the extended holidays to travel to various locations, both within the UAE and abroad.
Conclusion
With a combination of cultural and national festivities, UAE public holidays in 2026 present a complete series of options for individuals to rejoin their loved ones. Being aware of the dates will contribute significantly towards assisting in making use of the days off to best effect, so that all can gain from the special experiences available in the UAE.
