UAE Public Holidays 2027: Expected Dates and Long Weekends
The UAE has not yet published its official 2027 holiday calendar, but the expected dates already give a clear picture for planning leave. On current projections, 2027 brings New Year’s Day on Friday 1 January, Eid Al Fitr from about Monday 8 to Thursday 11 March, Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha from Saturday 15 to Tuesday 18 May, Hijri New Year on Sunday 6 June, the Prophet’s Birthday on Saturday 14 August, and National Day on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December. The Islamic holidays can move by a day once the Hijri months are confirmed, and the same calendar applies to the public and private sectors.
- Take Friday 12 March off for about nine days at Eid Al Fitr.
- Take Wednesday to Friday after Eid Al Adha for nine days off in May.
- National Day gives a four-day weekend from Thursday 2 December.
Expected public holidays in 2027
| Holiday | Expected date | Days | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Friday 1 January | 1 | Fixed date |
| Eid Al Fitr | About Monday 8 to Thursday 11 March | 4, or 5 if Ramadan lasts 30 days | Depends on the Hijri calendar |
| Arafat Day | About Saturday 15 May | 1 | Depends on the Hijri calendar |
| Eid Al Adha | About Sunday 16 to Tuesday 18 May | 3 | Depends on the Hijri calendar |
| Hijri New Year | About Sunday 6 June | 1 | Depends on the Hijri calendar |
| Prophet’s Birthday | About Saturday 14 August | 1 | Depends on the Hijri calendar |
| National Day | Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December | 2 | Fixed dates |
That adds up to 13 holiday days if Ramadan lasts 29 days, or 14 if it lasts 30. Several of them fall on a weekend in 2027, which matters for planning, because the rules do not move a holiday that lands on a weekend.
Long weekends and leave planning
For anyone working Monday to Friday, these are the breaks to plan around, based on the expected dates.
| Holiday | Days off without leave | With leave |
|---|---|---|
| New Year | Friday 1 to Sunday 3 January, 3 days | Not needed |
| Eid Al Fitr | Saturday 6 to Thursday 11 March, 6 days | Take Friday 12 March for 9 days, to Sunday 14 March |
| Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha | Saturday 15 to Tuesday 18 May, 4 days | Take Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 May for 9 days, to Sunday 23 May |
| Hijri New Year | Falls on Sunday 6 June | No extra day unless the Cabinet decides otherwise |
| Prophet’s Birthday | Falls on Saturday 14 August | No extra day unless the Cabinet decides otherwise |
| National Day | Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 December, 4 days | Take Monday to Wednesday before it for 9 days |
Eid Al Fitr is the best value of the year: one day of annual leave turns it into a nine-day break. If you plan to travel, book early, because flights and hotels around the Eid holidays fill quickly, and confirm your leave with your employer before you pay. With regional flight schedules still changing in 2026, check your airline’s status close to departure as well.
The rules behind the calendar
Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, in force since 1 January 2025, sets one official holiday calendar for the federal government and the private sector. It allows the Cabinet to move most holidays to the start or end of the week, but Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are not moved. A holiday also cannot be transferred if it falls on another holiday or on a weekend. Emirate governments can approve extra holidays for their own departments, which do not automatically apply to private companies. Eid Al Fitr runs from 29 Ramadan to 3 Shawwal, which is why its length depends on whether Ramadan has 29 or 30 days.
Public holidays come on top of annual leave. Under the UAE labour law, a full-time employee earns 30 days of paid annual leave for each year of service, or 2 days a month after six months in the job. Using a few of those days next to the Eid and National Day breaks stretches them furthest. School holidays are set separately by the education authorities, so families should check the school calendar as well as the public holiday list before booking travel.
Working on a public holiday
Private sector employees are entitled to the official holidays with full pay. Some jobs, such as retail, hospitality, healthcare and transport, keep running through them. If your employer requires you to work on a public holiday, the labour law entitles you to compensation: another day off in place of the holiday, or your wage for that day plus at least 50%. Agree which applies in writing before the holiday. If your salary is paid but the holiday compensation is missing, our MOHRE complaint guide explains how to raise it, and our UAE labour law guide covers your leave rights more widely.
How and when dates are confirmed
The UAE has in recent years published the next year’s holiday calendar in advance, with fixed dates for New Year and National Day and expected dates for the Islamic holidays. The exact Islamic dates are then confirmed shortly before each holiday, and the government announces the official days off for both sectors. We will update this page when the 2027 calendar is released and again before each holiday. Ramadan working hours, which change before Eid Al Fitr, are covered in our Ramadan working hours guide, and more everyday guides are in our UAE living guide.
Frequently asked questions
Has the UAE announced the 2027 public holidays?
Not as of October 2026. The dates on this page are expected dates, and the Islamic holidays may move by a day once confirmed.
When is Eid Al Fitr 2027 holiday in the UAE?
It is expected from about Monday 8 to Thursday 11 March 2027, covering 29 Ramadan to 3 Shawwal. Taking Friday 12 March as leave would give about nine days off.
Are private sector holidays the same as government holidays?
Yes. Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 sets one official holiday calendar for both, although emirate governments can add holidays for their own departments.
What if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
Under the 2024 rules, a holiday that falls on a weekend is not transferred to a working day. In 2027 that is expected to affect Hijri New Year and the Prophet’s Birthday.
Last verified: October 2026. Dates are projections based on the expected Hijri calendar and Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, pending the official 2027 announcement.
Written by Roman Shah · Reviewed by the UAEexplained editorial team
Sources: UAE Cabinet, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
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