Posted by Public holidays in the United Arab Emirates affect government offices and can change crowd levels, transport schedules and attraction hours. Several religious dates depend on official lunar calendar announcements. This guide uses the UAE government’s holiday list and explains what travellers should verify for their own itinerary.
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The official 2026 holiday list
The UAE federal holiday framework covers Gregorian New Year on 1 January, Eid al-Fitr, Arafah Day and Eid al-Adha, Hijri New Year, the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday and National Day on 2 and 3 December. Islamic observances follow the Hijri calendar, so the Gregorian date can be confirmed only in accordance with the official announcement.
The official government page lists Eid al-Fitr as 1 to 3 Shawwal, with the possible thirtieth day of Ramadan also a holiday, and Arafah Day plus Eid al-Adha as 9 to 12 Dhu al-Hijjah. The article formerly listed Eid in April and Arafah in June; these were incorrect for 2026.
At a glance
New Year’s Day was 1 January; National Day holidays are 2 and 3 December. Islamic holiday dates should always be checked against the UAE government announcement. Ramadan itself is a significant period for travellers but not a continuous public holiday.
Tourist attractions and shops may stay open, but hours and transport services can change. Confirm specific venues before you go and reserve popular activities ahead of a holiday weekend. Avoid booking non-refundable plans solely on an estimated moon-sighting date.
New Year’s Day: 1 January
The Gregorian New Year holiday falls on 1 January. Dubai’s New Year’s Eve celebrations can lead to road closures and exceptional Metro arrangements extending across the night. An ordinary weekday transport schedule is not a safe assumption for this date.
Travellers should make a plan for returning from fireworks or a late dinner. Choose a hotel in a location you can reach without crossing closure zones. Check the relevant transport authority announcements and the operator of any activity booked for 1 January.
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr follows Ramadan. Its placement in the Gregorian calendar shifts from year to year, and official dates depend on the lunar calendar and government announcement. For 2026, do not reuse an April date from an outdated article; the holiday occurred much earlier in the year.
Eid brings family visits, special meals and busy shopping districts. Many commercial attractions remain active, sometimes with special hours. Expect higher demand for popular hotels and tours. If your trip crosses the end of Ramadan, allow some flexibility until official dates are confirmed.
Arafah Day and Eid al-Adha
Arafah Day is followed by the Eid al-Adha holiday. These dates also move through the Gregorian calendar and are officially announced. In 2026 the relevant period was in late May, not late June. Always refer to the UAE government’s current holiday notice rather than a recycled annual chart.
Many people travel over this longer break. Flights, roads and shopping districts may be busier. Some attractions extend hours while offices close. Compare booking conditions, especially for a trip that would change if the official holiday period differs from a forecast.
Hijri New Year
The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of Muharram. It is included in the UAE holiday framework. As with other lunar observances, an estimated date should not be presented as guaranteed until the competent authorities publish the official calendar.
For tourists it is usually a manageable day to visit museums, malls or the beach, but individual opening times and public transport announcements can vary. If you require a government service or an appointment, arrange it outside the holiday period.
Prophet Muhammad’s birthday
The Prophet’s birthday, Mawlid, is also part of the federal list. The Gregorian date depends on the Hijri calendar. Look for an official announcement closer to the event if your itinerary depends on a particular working day.
Cultural activities and family travel patterns may vary between locations. Do not assume that a commercial attraction closes, and do not promise that every attraction stays open. A quick check of the venue’s own website is more reliable than a general holiday article.
National Day: 2 and 3 December
The UAE National Day public holidays are listed for 2 and 3 December. Events and displays can draw large crowds, particularly in major city centres. Activities may have altered hours or access arrangements. Check an event’s official programme before making a long trip.
This can be an interesting time to visit, with flags and celebrations visible in many locations. It is also a period when a pre-booked hotel or attraction ticket may be useful. If travelling by car, leave extra time around major event areas.
Is Commemoration Day a public holiday?
A previous version of this page listed Commemoration Day on 1 December as an additional nationwide public holiday. The current official federal holiday list does not show a separate public holiday for that date. It is a day of remembrance, which is different from promising all workers a day off.
Ceremonies and commemorations may be held. If your business or booking depends on a closure, look for an official announcement specific to the service concerned. Do not automatically extend a National Day trip by treating 1 December as a guaranteed extra holiday.
Is Isra and Mi’raj a public holiday?
The older calendar included Isra and Mi’raj as a fixed public holiday in February 2026. It is not on the UAE government’s current general holiday list for public and private sectors. Observance of a religious occasion does not by itself mean a federal day off.
This distinction matters when booking flights or anticipating closures. Use the official list for leave planning, and consult an employer or government agency for any additional schedule changes affecting a particular sector.
Ramadan and public holidays
Ramadan is a fasting month, not one uninterrupted public holiday. Opening hours, dining patterns and cultural activities can differ during it. Visitors can generally find restaurants and tourist services, but should follow local guidance and be considerate in public.
The timing of Ramadan and Eid changes each year. A traveller should check updated local announcements rather than assuming that the dates from a past trip still apply. Plan food, transport and evening activities with the particular venue’s schedule.
Shops and malls
Large malls often remain open during holidays and may be especially busy in the evenings. A supermarket or small shop can choose different hours. Search the particular branch shortly before visiting, especially if you have a tight airport or transfer schedule.
Sales and seasonal events can be attractive but create longer queues. A weekday visit outside a holiday may be easier if you prefer a quiet shopping trip. Our Dubai Mall guide helps plan a visit to one of the city’s major shopping destinations.
Museums and major attractions
A public holiday need not mean that every museum or observation deck closes. Some sites run special schedules, and timed admission can sell out. Check the attraction itself for hours and ticket terms, particularly if you plan to visit the Museum of the Future.
Do not rely on a general statement that ‘all attractions remain open’. A scheduled event, maintenance, prayer arrangements or crowd management can affect entry independently of the national holiday calendar.
Beaches and waterparks
Managed beaches and waterparks may remain available during a holiday, but demand can rise. Check live hours and capacity rules before leaving your hotel. For a family outing to Atlantis waterpark, compare tickets and operating dates in advance.
If a beach is supervised, pay attention to flags, weather and lifeguard directions. A busy public holiday is not a reason to swim outside a designated safe area. Bring water and allow extra time for getting there and back.
Metro, buses and taxis
The Roads and Transport Authority may announce special Metro and bus timings for major holidays. New Year’s Eve is a clear example of extended service and traffic controls. Check the RTA notice shortly before you travel, even if this article mentions normal hours.
Read our Dubai Metro guide for ordinary routes and ticketing. If your return from an event depends on the last train, verify the actual holiday schedule, your station and any crowd access measures.
Driving and parking
Major celebrations can change road access and parking arrangements around a landmark. A hotel near an event may be difficult to reach by car at a particular time. Ask your accommodation about arrival routes if your stay coincides with New Year’s Eve or a large December celebration.
Our parking guide covers ordinary parking planning. On a holiday, official notices and posted signs take priority. Allow enough time to return a rental car without relying on an optimistic map estimate.
Hotels and booking strategy
A public holiday can increase demand for leisure hotels. Compare refundable rates if an Islamic date is still estimated or your travel dates are flexible. Check whether the advertised package includes breakfast and whether a minimum stay applies.
Staying near the activity you care about can reduce transport stress. For a fireworks night, think about how you will return, not only the view. A hotel near the Metro may be practical on other holiday weekends, depending on the RTA’s schedule.
Guided tours during holidays
City tours and desert trips may operate, but pickup can take longer when roads are busy. Read the operator’s holiday note and reconfirm the meeting point. Not every advertised tour runs every day, and a booking page with an old date should not be taken as confirmation.
Our Dubai city tour guide explains the choices. Build some time into your itinerary if a tour ends before an evening event. A transfer to a distant venue can take longer than on a normal weekday.
Abu Dhabi versus Dubai
The UAE federal list provides the framework for both emirates, but venue schedules and local events can differ. A hotel or museum in Abu Dhabi may publish its own holiday hours. Check separately if you are making a day trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.
Do not assume that a Dubai road closure affects Abu Dhabi, or that a particular attraction’s extended Dubai hours apply across the country. Use the operator’s own notice for the place you intend to visit.
Frequently asked questions
Are the religious dates final at the start of the year? No; moon sighting and official announcements matter. Is 1 December a guaranteed extra public holiday? It is not included as a separate day on the current federal list. Is Ramadan a month-long holiday? No.
Are shops closed on Eid? Many remain open, but check individual hours. Does the Metro always keep the ordinary schedule? No; RTA may publish special arrangements. Should I reserve a hotel early for 2 December? Compare availability in advance if travelling over the National Day period.
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How to read a holiday announcement
Some announcements specify whether the day applies to federal employees, private-sector employees or both. They may also say whether a holiday is moved to an adjacent weekday. Read the exact wording and date of the notice instead of using a screenshot shared without its source. The federal public holiday page gives the framework; a later agency notice may clarify a specific year’s arrangements.
For visitors, the legal holiday period and an attraction’s operating period are different questions. A museum can open while a government office closes. A tour operator can offer a trip on a holiday but change its pickup point because of traffic controls. Make both checks separately.
Planning an itinerary around a long weekend
If your stay overlaps an Eid holiday, put the activities requiring advance tickets on the days you can confirm. Leave a flexible half-day for shopping or a walk. When booking a distant excursion, compare the journey time and cancellation policy. Keep dinner plans realistic if your group has just returned from a full-day trip.
A quieter alternative may be to explore one neighbourhood on foot while other visitors head for a large mall. An early start helps in pleasant weather, although some family celebrations happen later in the day. Choose a hotel with access to the part of town that matters most to you.
Where to confirm changes
Check the UAE government for the federal holiday list, RTA for Dubai transport, and the venue or tour operator for its own schedule. Airlines and airports publish their own operational notices. Social media posts can be useful for discovery but may refer to another emirate or another year; verify the date and source before changing plans.
Official calendar: UAE government public holidays.