Planning a trip home or a long weekend away starts with knowing when the public holidays fall. In the UAE, some holidays are on fixed dates and others follow the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, which moves about 11 days earlier each year and depends on the sighting of the moon. Here are the expected dates for 2027 and how to stretch them with your annual leave.
Expected UAE Public Holidays in 2027
| Holiday | Expected date | Fixed or moon-based |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Friday 1 January | Fixed |
| Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan) | Around 9–10 March, usually a break of 3–4 days | Moon-based |
| Arafat Day | Around Saturday 15 May | Moon-based |
| Eid al-Adha | Around Sunday 16 May to Tuesday 18 May | Moon-based |
| Islamic New Year | Around Sunday 6 June | Moon-based |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | Around Saturday 14 August | Moon-based |
| UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) | Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December | Fixed |
The official list gives National Day as 2 and 3 December. In recent years the government has announced extra or shifted days for the private sector around it (for 2025, Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December), so treat the December dates as provisional until the announcement. The same official holidays apply to the public and private sectors. Moon-based dates can move by a day either way, and a holiday that lands on a weekend is not automatically moved to a working day.
The Best Breaks of 2027 (for a Saturday–Sunday Weekend)
December: 9 days off for 3 days of leave
If National Day is Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December, the holiday runs straight into the weekend for a four-day break. Take Monday 29, Tuesday 30 November and Wednesday 1 December as annual leave and you are off from Saturday 27 November to Sunday 5 December — 9 days. If the government announces an extra holiday day, you need less leave.
Eid al-Adha: 9 days off for 3 days of leave
If Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha fall on Saturday 15 to Tuesday 18 May as expected, taking Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 May gives you Saturday 15 to Sunday 23 May — 9 days for three days of leave.
Eid al-Fitr: wait for the announcement
Eid al-Fitr is expected in the second week of March. Once the dates are confirmed, fill the remaining working days of that week with leave — often two or three days turns the holiday into a 9-day break.
New Year: a long weekend
1 January 2027 is a Friday, giving a three-day weekend from Friday to Sunday without using any leave.
Tips for Planning Around Moon-Based Holidays
- Pencil in both possible dates and ask your manager early — many teams approve Eid leave on a first-come basis.
- Choose flexible or refundable flights for Eid travel, as dates are confirmed only days in advance and fares rise quickly.
- Check your company's weekend: if you work a Friday–Saturday weekend or a six-day week, the best combinations change.
- Keep an eye on your leave balance, including any days carried over from 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are public holidays counted as annual leave?
No. Public holidays are separate from your 30 days of annual leave, so they don't reduce your leave balance.
Do I get a day off in lieu if a holiday falls on my weekend?
The law doesn't require a replacement day, although some employers give one. Check your company's policy.
Sources and last review
Fixed dates follow the official government list. Islamic holiday dates are astronomical estimates, and the UAE confirms the real dates shortly before each holiday. Last reviewed on 6 October 2026. Laws, thresholds and holiday dates change, so check the official pages below before you rely on a figure.
- UAE public holidays (u.ae)
- Cabinet Resolution of 2024 concerning public holidays (UAE Legislation portal)
- MOHRE: 1 and 2 December 2025 private-sector holiday for Eid Al Etihad
Expected dates are estimates based on the Hijri calendar and may change. Always follow the official announcement from the UAE government before booking non-refundable travel.