UAE Public Holidays 2026: Complete Calendar for HR Planning

UAE Public Holidays 2026: What You Need to Know

The UAE has 13 days of public holidays in 2026, giving employees and businesses ample opportunities for rest and celebration. For HR professionals, understanding these dates is essential for payroll planning, leave management, and ensuring compliance with UAE labor law.

This guide provides the complete 2026 holiday calendar, HR planning tips, and answers to frequently asked questions about holiday entitlements.

Complete UAE Public Holiday Calendar 2026

Here is the full list of public holidays for the UAE in 2026:

New Year's Day

Date: January 1, 2026
Day: Thursday
Coverage: Public & Private Sectors

Eid Al Fitr

Dates: March 20-22, 2026*
Days: Friday-Sunday (3 days)
Coverage: Public & Private Sectors

Arafat Day

Date: May 26, 2026*
Day: Tuesday
Coverage: Public & Private Sectors

Eid Al Adha

Dates: May 27-29, 2026*
Days: Wednesday-Friday (3 days)
Coverage: Public & Private Sectors

Islamic New Year

Date: June 16, 2026*
Day: Tuesday
Coverage: Public & Private Sectors

Prophet's Birthday (Mawlid Al Nabi)

Date: August 25, 2026*
Day: Tuesday
Coverage: Public & Private Sectors

UAE National Day

Dates: December 2-3, 2026
Days: Wednesday-Thursday (2 days)
Coverage: Public & Private Sectors

*Islamic holiday dates are approximate and subject to moon sighting confirmation.

Islamic Holidays 2026

Islamic holidays follow the Hijri lunar calendar, which means their Gregorian dates shift each year. The UAE government officially confirms these dates based on moon sighting announcements.

Eid Al Fitr 2026

Expected dates: March 20-22, 2026 (3 days)

Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. Employees typically receive 3 days of paid leave. The exact dates will be confirmed by the UAE Moon Sighting Committee shortly before Ramadan ends.

HR Planning Tip: Prepare for reduced productivity in the week before Eid as employees complete Ramadan observances.

Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha 2026

Expected dates: May 26-29, 2026 (4 days)

Arafat Day commemorates the day pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat during Hajj. Eid Al Adha follows, celebrating the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son.

Arafat Day: May 26 (Tuesday)
Eid Al Adha: May 27-29 (Wednesday-Friday)

Islamic New Year 2026

Expected date: June 16, 2026 (1 day)

The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar (1448 Hijri). This is a day of reflection for Muslims.

Prophet's Birthday (Mawlid Al Nabi) 2026

Expected date: August 25, 2026 (1 day)

This holiday commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and is observed with religious gatherings and charitable activities.

Fixed Holidays 2026

New Year's Day

Date: January 1, 2026 (Thursday)

The first day of the Gregorian calendar year is a public holiday across all sectors in the UAE.

UAE National Day

Date: December 2-3, 2026 (Wednesday-Thursday)

UAE National Day celebrates the formation of the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971. The two-day holiday is marked by celebrations, fireworks, and national pride events across all seven emirates.

Long Weekend Opportunities in 2026

Strategic leave planning can help employees maximize their time off. Here are the best opportunities in 2026:

January Long Weekend

Take Friday January 2 off
Get 4 consecutive days (January 1-4)

Eid Al Fitr Extended Break

Eid falls Friday-Sunday (March 20-22)
Take Monday-Thursday off (March 16-19)
Get 9 consecutive days off

Eid Al Adha Extended Break

Arafat Day on Tuesday (May 26)
Eid Al Adha ends Friday (May 29)
Take Monday off (May 25) and weekend
Get 9 consecutive days off

UAE National Day Extended Break

National Day on Wednesday-Thursday (December 2-3)
Take Friday off (December 4)
Get 5 consecutive days off

Pro Tip: With just 9 days of annual leave strategically placed around public holidays, employees can enjoy up to 38 days off throughout 2026.

HR Planning Guide for 2026 Holidays

Payroll Considerations

Holiday Pay Requirements:

Employees who work on public holidays are entitled to 150% of their basic salary, OR
One day off in lieu plus 50% of basic salary

Calculating Holiday Pay:

Determine daily rate: Monthly basic salary ÷ 30
For work on holidays: Daily rate × 1.5

Managing Leave During Peak Periods

Advance Planning: Request leave applications 30+ days before major holidays
Fair Rotation: Implement a rotation system for essential staff
Coverage Planning: Ensure critical operations have backup coverage
Communication: Announce holiday schedules early in the year

Compliance Checklist

Update company calendar with all 2026 holidays
Configure payroll system for holiday pay calculations
Communicate holiday schedule to all employees
Plan staffing for essential services during holidays
Review leave balances before major holiday periods

Frequently Asked Questions

How many public holidays are there in the UAE in 2026?

The UAE has 13 days of public holidays in 2026, including both fixed Gregorian holidays (New Year's Day, UAE National Day) and Islamic holidays that follow the lunar calendar (Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, and Prophet's Birthday).

Do Islamic holiday dates change each year?

Yes, Islamic holidays follow the Hijri lunar calendar, which is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. This means Islamic holidays shift earlier each Gregorian year. Additionally, the exact dates depend on moon sighting, so official confirmation typically comes shortly before each holiday.

Is holiday pay mandatory in the UAE?

Yes, under UAE labor law, employees who work on public holidays must receive either 150% of their basic daily wage OR a substitute day off plus 50% of their basic daily wage. Employers cannot force employees to work on public holidays without proper compensation.

What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?

For private sector employees, there is no automatic substitution if a holiday falls on a weekend. However, many employers choose to grant a substitute day off as a goodwill gesture. Check your employment contract or company policy for specific guidance.

Are free zone employees entitled to UAE public holidays?

Yes, employees in UAE free zones are generally entitled to the same public holidays as mainland employees. However, some free zones operating under different legal frameworks (like DIFC and ADGM) may have slight variations. Check with your free zone authority for specific requirements.

Can employers require employees to work on public holidays?

Employers can request employees to work on public holidays for essential operations, but they must provide proper compensation (150% pay or day off in lieu plus 50%). Employees cannot be penalized for declining to work on holidays unless their contract specifically requires it.

Plan Your 2026 HR Calendar Today

Effective holiday planning helps maintain employee satisfaction while ensuring business continuity. Use this calendar as your foundation for 2026 workforce planning.

Need help managing leave requests and holiday payroll? RadixHR's leave management module automatically calculates holiday entitlements, tracks leave balances, and ensures compliant payroll processing for all UAE public holidays.