UAE Public Holidays 2026 – Maximise Your Days Off With Minimum Leave – Complete Leave Planner Guide
UAE Public Holidays 2026 is known for its diverse culture, vibrant lifestyle, and one of the world’s best work-life balance systems. Public holidays in the Emirates give residents the perfect chance to rest, travel, spend time with family, and recharge. With proper planning, even a two-day holiday can be stretched into a full week of enjoyment.
In 2026, the UAE government has announced a structured list of public holidays including Eid, Islamic New Year, UAE National Day, and other important days. Since many holidays fall close to weekends, residents can easily combine them with annual leave to maximize their days off.
This complete guide breaks down every holiday month-wise and includes a smart leave planner to help you take the least number of leave days while enjoying the longest breaks. Whether you want a staycation or international travel, this article helps you plan your UAE holidays 2026 perfectly.
All UAE Public Holidays in 2026 (Complete List)
Below is the expected list of UAE Public Holidays 2026, based on the official Islamic calendar and historical holiday patterns:
| Holiday | Expected Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January 2026 | Thursday |
| Eid al-Fitr Holidays | 18–21 March 2026 | Wed–Sat |
| Arafat Day | 26 May 2026 | Tuesday |
| Eid al-Adha Holidays | 27–29 May 2026 | Wed–Fri |
| Islamic New Year | 16 June 2026 | Tuesday |
| Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | 27 September 2026 | Sunday |
| UAE Commemoration Day | 1 December 2026 | Tuesday |
| UAE National Day | 2–3 December 2026 | Wed–Thu |
✔ Total public holidays: 15+ days
✔ Long weekends: 5 opportunities
✔ Chance for extended week-long vacations
Best Opportunities to Maximise Days Off With Minimum Leave in 2026
Below are the top leave planning strategies using UAE public holidays.
1. New Year’s Day 2026 – Create a 4-Day Weekend
Holiday: Thursday, 1 January 2026
Strategy: Take leave on Friday, 2 January
✔ You get: Thursday to Sunday (4 days)
✔ Leaves used: 1 day only
Perfect for a quick winter break or short travel.
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2. Eid al-Fitr 2026 – Turn 4 Days Into a Full 9-Day Holiday
Official holidays: 18–21 March 2026 (Wednesday to Saturday)
If you take leave on these days:
• Monday, 16 March
• Tuesday, 17 March
You enjoy:
✔ Saturday, 14 March – Sunday, 22 March (9 days)
✔ Only 2 leave days used
✔ Ideal for long international trips (Malaysia, Thailand, Europe)
3. Eid al-Adha 2026 – Enjoy a 9-Day Break With Minimal Leave
Official holidays:
• Arafat Day – 26 May (Tuesday)
• Eid al-Adha – 27–29 May (Wed–Fri)
Take leave on:
• Monday, 25 May
This gives you:
✔ Saturday 23 May – Sunday 31 May = 9 full days
✔ Only 1 leave day used
One of the best opportunities of the year.
4. Islamic New Year 2026 – Enjoy a Mid-Week Break
Holiday: 16 June (Tuesday)
Take leave on:
• Monday, 15 June
• Wednesday, 17 June
You get:
✔ Saturday 13 June – Wednesday 17 June (5 days)
✔ Only 2 leave days used
Perfect for a summer mini-vacation.
5. UAE National Day Holidays 2026 – Get 5 Days Off at Year End
Holidays:
• 1 December (Tuesday) – Commemoration Day
• 2–3 December (Wed–Thu) – National Day holidays
• Weekend: Friday & Saturday
Take leave on:
• Monday, 30 November 2026
You will enjoy:
✔ Monday, 30 Nov – Saturday, 5 Dec = 6 days
✔ Only 1 leave day used
Great for end-of-year travel.
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Month-Wise UAE Holiday Planning Guide 2026
Below is a detailed month-wise breakdown to help residents plan vacations smartly.
January 2026 – Winter Holiday Start
• Public holiday: 1 January
• Long weekend possible
• Perfect weather for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah tourism
March 2026 – Eid al-Fitr Peak Travel Opportunity
March brings one of the longest holiday blocks of the year.
Tourism is very high, so book early.
Tip: Combine leave with weekend to get 9 continuous days off.
May 2026 – Eid al-Adha + Arafat Day Mega Break
With both Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha falling mid-week:
✔ Best chance to create a 9-day vacation
✔ Minimal annual leave required
✔ Ideal for international travel
June 2026 – Islamic New Year
Mid-week holiday = flexible leave opportunity.
Use 2 leave days to enjoy a 5-day extended break.
September 2026 – Prophet’s Birthday
• Falls on a Sunday
• Gives a natural long weekend
• No extra leave required
December 2026 – National Day & Commemoration Day
This is another top vacation window due to:
• Three continuous holidays
• Combined with weekend
• Easy to enjoy 5–6 day vacation
Great for winter travel in Europe or the Middle East.
How Many Holidays Will UAE Residents Get in 2026?
✔ Total Public Holidays: Around 15–18 days (depending on moon sighting)
✔ Long Weekends: 5
✔ Year-End Break Opportunities: 2 major windows
✔ Major Eid Breaks: 2 (Eid al-Fitr & Eid al-Adha)
Tips to Maximise Holidays With Minimum Leave
Here are some smart strategies UAE employees use:
1. Use Weekends Wisely
Plan leave around Friday–Saturday weekends to extend breaks.
2. Always Plan Before Islamic Holidays
Since Islamic holidays depend on moon sightings, plan flexibly.
3. Book Tickets 2–3 Months Early
Airfares rise around Eid and UAE National Day.
4. Use Leave in “Bridge Days”
These are days between a holiday and weekend.
Example:
Holiday on Thursday → Take leave Friday → 4-day weekend.
5. Choose Short Trips for 3–5 Day Weekends
Such as:
• Oman
• Georgia
• Azerbaijan
• Turkey
Best Countries to Travel From UAE During Holidays 2026
1. Short Trips (3–5 Days)
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Bahrain
• Georgia
• Azerbaijan
2. Long Trips (7–10 Days)
• Turkey
• Thailand
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Maldives
3. Winter Destinations (Dec 2026)
• Switzerland
• UK
• France
• Germany
• Norway
Why UAE Public Holidays Are Important for Residents
• Work-life balance improves
• Chance to travel abroad
• Family reunion opportunities
• Stress relief and mental health benefits
• Explore UAE attractions and staycations
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FAQs UAE Public Holidays 2026:
Q1: How many public holidays will UAE have in 2026?
UAE residents will get around 15 to 18 public holiday days in 2026.
Q2: Which holiday gives the longest break in 2026?
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha both offer opportunities to create 9-day vacations with minimal leave.
Q3: How to get the maximum holidays with minimum annual leave?
Combine Islamic holidays with weekends and take 1–2 bridge leave days.
Q4: Are UAE holidays the same for private and government employees?
Yes, UAE now provides unified holidays for both government and private sectors.
Q5: Can the dates of Islamic holidays change?
Yes, Islamic holidays can shift by 1 day depending on moon sighting.
Q6: Is December 2026 a good time to travel?
Yes, because of National Day holidays + pleasant winter weather.
Conclusion:
UAE Public Holidays 2026 offer excellent chances to enjoy long breaks with very few annual leave days. With smart planning, you can create 4-day, 5-day, even 9-day vacations around major holidays like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and UAE National Day. Use this planner to organize your year, book flights early, and maximise your work-life balance throughout 2026.
