November 21, 2025 | Dubai, UAE: Your year for future getaways becomes easier with the advent of the UAE Public Holidays 2026 list, which explains how the holidays will unfold. With upcoming holidays, the year is gearing up to offer opportunities for leisure and community bonding.
While some dates remain rigid, others depend upon the two calendars, which change subsequently. The extensive rollout explains the predicted dates and how the holidays are planned, breaks from academic institutions to help individuals plan their year.
Overview of UAE Public Holidays 2026 List
Citizens can prepare for several days in the coming year with numerous moments for long weekends. Although the legislature will announce the time for each holiday, calculations and formal resolutions provide a suitable outcome. Based on these outcomes, here is the UAE Public Holidays 2026 list.
- New Year: Jan 1
- Eid Al Fitr: Shawwal month(1-3)
- Arafat Day: Dhu Al Hijjah month(9)
- Eid Al Adha: Dhu Al Hijjah (10 to 12)
- Islamic New Year: Muharram (1)
- Prophet’s Birthday: Rabi Al Awwal (12)
- National Day: December 2 or 3
These predicted dates structure the UAE Public Holidays 2026 list, giving an overview of probable holidays in the coming year. As these dates depend on the sightings, shifts can be observed, but an early determination provides a rough estimate of the predicted dates.
For Eid-ul-Fitr, the holiday is expected from March 20 to March 22, giving a long weekend. For another holiday, the holiday is in May, which offers an extended break with the weekend. Moreover, another holiday is observed in December, which may result in a lengthy break.
Rules for the UAE Public Holidays 2026 List
Holidays are broadly categorized under a dual system:
- One calendar has rigid dates, and the other religious calendar depends upon the astronomical sightings, which leads to a slight shift in the holidays.
- The authorities follow Cabinet Resolution No. 27, which permits them to move the dates to create long weekends. However, religious holidays are not allowed under this resolution.
Moreover, if a date merges with a weekend or another holiday, then another holiday is not given.
Native organizations provide extra breaks for occasions if those holidays are not mentioned on the list.
All of these elements play an essential role in how the UAE Public Holidays 2026 list is decided. Religious holidays change every coming year due to the astronomical sightings.
It is also the reason why many vacations move earlier when compared to another calendar.
Holiday List for Academic Institutions
Holidays for academic institutions also resonate with the predicted structure for the coming year, offering families time for bonding and leisure. For the Ministry of Education curriculum schools, the probable breaks include:
- Dec 15 to Jan 4: Winter Holidays
- March 16 to 29: Spring Vacation
- May 25 to 29: Term Break
- June 17: Islamic New Year
For private institutions, the vacation will rely on the commencement of the academic year
For Schools beginning in April:
- Dec 15 to Jan 5: Winter Holidays
- March 16 to 30: Spring Vacation
- March 30: Academic Year-end
For Schools Beginning in September:
- Dec 15 to Jan 5: Winter Holidays
- March 16 to 30: Spring Vacation
- July 3: Academic Year-end
These structures resonate with the UAE Public Holidays 2026 list, helping individuals to schedule their leisure time.
The blend of two calendars and changing dates means that the list will witness a change each time. This yearly change is what makes probable dates important for citizens who aim to manage their schedules, work, or bond with their families, with numerous extended weekends including all the religious holidays, and others in the coming year will offer chances for several breaks.
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