December 04, 2025 | Dubai, UAE: The UAE has a busy calendar of long weekend in UAE 2026, at least 12 holidays, and a six-day vacation that is the talk of the town. The 2024 Cabinet Resolution is a lifesaver since we will be able to exchange some of the holidays to weekends. This is the scoop so that you can squash those study breaks.
Understanding How the Long Weekend in UAE 2026 Calendar Works
The UAE long-weekend calendar has to be tamed so that we can determine when we will be able to find time to get in some additional sleep or a weekend in Dubai. There exist two calendars Gregorian calendar (fixed dates such as New Year or National Day) and the Islamic Hijri calendar (dates based on the moon, such as Eid Al-Fitr or Eid Al-Adha).
In Resolution No. 27 (2024), we can start a long break by transferring a few of the public holidays to the beginning or the end of the week. The only holidays which remain constant are the Eid holidays. The Islamic holidays are based on the moon sightings and thus the specific days are not set until a month or so towards the end of the year.
Astronomers are able to forecast the probable dates several months ahead, allowing us to plan our long weekends. UAE weekends are on Saturdays and Sundays. When a holiday is on a Friday, we normally have a three-day holiday, and when it falls on a Sunday, we can lengthen the weekend.
1. New Year’s Day – Begins 2026 in the Long Weekend in UAE 2026
Date: Thursday, January 1 2026
Transferable: Yes
Potential Break: 3–4 days
This is perhaps the first national holiday in the Long Weekend in UAE 2026 we have ever had on which we gave ourselves our long weekend. When the day off is changed to Friday, January 2, then we would have Thursday-Friday-Sunday off, in addition to the usual Saturday-Sunday. Not shifted? Thursday will leave Jan 1, leaving most people with four days off, the best time to complete coursework or otherwise relax on the beach.
January is almost the most ideal weather in the UAE- low temperature, so outdoor activities, visits to the beach, desert camping, or simply sitting under the sun are all good to do. The winter vacation will start on December 2025 and continue to the first weekend of January 2026, and thus families can count on that as their first day off.
Common events this time:
- Summer concerts and festivals outdoors and in cold weather.
- Beach clubs and restaurants with waterfront deals to the New Year.
- Camping in the desert that is cooler than a hot summer night.
- 4-day package deals in resorts as a staycation.
2. Eid Al-Fitr -A natural three-day weekend in the UAE 2026
Crude dates: Friday, March 2026 -Sunday, March 22, 2026. Religious vacation Shawwal (3 days)
Transferable: No
Confirmed Break: 3 days
The end of Ramadan provides us with a three-day long weekend in case it falls on Friday- no transference is necessary since the start is fixed on Friday.
Activities- Family reunions, delicious food, Gift crafters, community events, hanging out, prayers, and merely vibing. Hotels make adjustments in Eid brunches, restaurants change the menu, and malls are open late and have special offers.
As a rule, it coincides with Eid, with the period March 16-29 these days allow the families to organise large-scale trips during the period of the school break.
Quick getaway options for Long Weekend in UAE 2026:
- Desert cultural tours in the Ras Al Khaimah resorts.
- Fujairah family-friendly beaches.
- Rushing away to Hatta Mountain (but keep in mind it is midsummer)
- The Dubai or Abu Dhabi hotel staycations are a sound idea.
3. Eid Al Adha – The Six‑Day Long Weekend in UAE 2026
Holidays: Arafat Day (May 26) and Eid Al-Adha (May 27- 29)
Transferable: No
Vacation: 6 days, exclusive of the weekend
It is the largest, murderous long weekend of the year. The Wednesday -Friday Eid is preceded by three days of Arafat Day on Tuesday, May 26 and then the normal Saturday-Sunday- 6 days straight vacation.
Basically, the Ministry of Education lines up Eid Al Adha breaks with public holidays, so this long weekend in UAE 2026 is a sweet spot for families who can travel together without juggling school and work schedules. It is now the time of the year that flights, hotels, and activities are most likely to be booked and, therefore, they should be made in advance. The prices become high and closer to a departure date and reduce the availability, thus the sooner the better for Long Weekend in UAE 2026.
Popular spots:
- Late spring U.S. cities
- European cities in spring
- Resorts of Asia: Thailand, Maldives, Bali.
- Safari tour Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa.
- Middle East cultural tours
- Longer excursions the adventurous.
- 5-star resort holidays and package holidays.
- Tourism in Oman and the Dubai mountains and beaches.
- Visit Saudi Arabia or Bahrain, which are GCC neighbours.
- Dubai or Abu Dhabi port cruise adventure.
4. Islamic New Year – A Strategic Long Weekend in UAE 2026
Although unmentioned, Majlis al-Shura is projected to enter office on June 16, 2026 (Muharram 1)
Transferable: Yes
Potential Break: 3 days (had to shift to Monday)
The Islamic New Year creates another valuable long weekend in UAE 2026 in the middle of the year. Tuesday, this holiday is likely to be changed to Monday, June 15, and you will have a complete three days of a holiday on Monday to Sunday as you take this day and the usual Saturday-Sunday leave to make up. It is just between spring and summer holidays, a good relaxing change since the weather is right at the start of becoming hot.
June is very hot in UAE and hence this long weekend in UAE 2026 will be perfect because:
- Theme parks and cultural areas, games in the malls.
- A trip to colder parts of Europe or East Asia in a chill out trip.
- Visiting mountain places in Oman where the weather is cool.
- Indoor entertainment centres, climate controlled, and skiing.
Summer school ends in late June and runs through August, so most kids are already off school during this long weekend in UAE 2026. Parents can find time to take brief trips to the family or cultural trips without necessarily having to queue up with school.
Quick escape ideas for this long weekend in the UAE 2026
- European cities of summer and cool weather.
- Asian alcoholism like Japan or South Korea.
- Mountain countries that share neighbours.
- Indoor entertainment staycations and hotel pool.
5. Supper weekend in UAE in 2026: Prophet Muhammad Birthday
Approximated date: August 25, 2026 (Rabi Al Awwal 12).
Transferable: Yes
Possible Break: 3 days (had shifted to Monday)
Celebrating the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH) gives us another solid long weekend in UAE 2026 during the summer. The holiday itself is on Tuesday and thus the cabinet will most probably transfer the holiday to Monday which will convert the holiday into a three-day weekend between Monday and Sunday.
It is in the midsummer period of summer school and there are therefore numerous families on holiday. However, this long weekend is an added value to the ones staying in the Emirates or those going on an extended get away.
Activities in Hot weather, It is the hot season and the best time to have this long weekend will be to:
- Examples of the indoor theme parks include IMG Worlds of Adventure or Warner 1 -Bros. World.
- Shopping in the malls with air-conditioning during the Dubai Summer Surprises.
- Museums and culture in UAE.
- Access to pool and fun indoor hotel staycations.
Extended Break Strategy, All the annual leaves will extend this long weekend to full week and this is good as- Long distance international travels, Home to family, travelling long all the way, Destination retreats involving more than one country & Study of one group in‑depth.
Entertainment during this long weekend in UAE 2026- Advertisements and activities of Dubai Summer Surprises, Show and activity in the malls, Parties in the hotel pool and brunch, Sports centres and indoor entertainment centres.
6. UAE National Day – Five‑Day Long Weekend in UAE 2026
Dates: December 1‑3, 2026
Holidays: Commemoration Day (Dec -1) + National Day (Dec -2-3). Week days: Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday
Transferable: Yes
Break in Total: 5 days (weekend in)
The final public holidays of the year line up to give a bang‑out five‑day long weekend in UAE 2026. Recovery of Emirati martyrs- This is celebrated on the 1 st of December and national celebration on the 2-3 rd of December.
This year the days are on Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday that will create a three-day block of holidays by default in 2026. Weekend Extension, To it, add the following Saturday-Sunday (December 4-5) and you are the proud owner of a five-day vacation, just under the biggest since the Eid Al Adha.
National Holidays This is a three-day vacation that fills the country with the atmosphere of patriotism- Fireworks in all emirates, Processions that boast of heritage and culture, Traditional culture and entertainment, Buildings are painted with flag colours of UAE, Free concerts and entertainment of social places.
Popular activities during this long weekend in UAE 2026:
- Attending shows and festivals during the National Day.
- Desert camping and the Emirati spirit.
- Remaining in the beach and resorts that are patriotic in nature.
- Tours of cultural sites, heritage sites, and museums.
- Shopping and Mall coupons during the National Day.
Maximising Your Long Weekend in UAE 2026 Opportunities
With multiple chances for a long weekend in UAE 2026, smart planning helps you squeeze the most out of your downtime.
- Book Early to Expected Dates:
The Islamic holidays also depend on the sight of the moon. You can book my hotel and flight ahead of those dates, particularly the six-day break of Eid Al-Adha- the rate and occupancy is dulcified when it is booked in advance.
- Tweaks to Flexible Booking:
In case of the sighting of the moon, you reserve them in mind, rebookable or refundable tickets, free date amendments with the hotels and airlines, travel insurance to cover schedule changes, and make my reservation a little later than estimated to be flexible.
- Pairing with Class Breaks:
Every long weekend in UAE 2026 can be stretched by using my university leave. On the three-day weekends, you either pre-add the weekday before or after the entire week and I alternate the remaining weekdays on shorter holidays and I am kept in the loop on the part of professors and classmates in order to have as much of my time on my hands as possible.
Planning seasonal trips
Select locations that fit each long weekend in UAE 2026:
- January: cold weather- good for sightseeing.
- March: Spring 01- Ideal in Europe as far as outdoor items are concerned.
- May: Late spring/early summer- nice all over.
- June: Go to mountains or northern hemisphere when it is hot.
- August: Choose less hot areas or indoor activities.
- December: Take a winter weekend or sunshine beach break.
Prices are high when there is peak travelling. To get a better deal, you can reserve a larger budget during the major UAE long weekends in 2026 or you can shop the destinations that are less popular.
Making 2026 Best Study-Break Year
The 2026 year plan is full of long weekends- six of them Eid Al Adha, five of them National Day, five-day breaks at the beginning of the year, Eid Al Fitr, Islamic New Year, and the birthday of Prophet Muhammad a perfect opportunity to catch a break.
All the UAE long weekends in 2026 will become self-promoting summer opening. Be it an international adventure, a tour of the region, or a staycation with chills, there is a UAE long weekend in 2026 that you can enjoy and can afford. It is high time to begin to dream of memorable moments and work-vacations in 2026.
Read: Fireworks in UAE National Day Holiday: Complete Emirates Schedule & Best Viewing Spots Revealed
