Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the two main holidays celebrated in Islam every year, and marked with generous public holidays across the GCC and Middle East. Eid al-Fitr takes place after Ramadan, marking the end of the Holy month with festivities and bringing together people to reflect on the month that’s passed. A few months after, Eid-al Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, celebrates giving and commemorates Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) readiness to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Both Eid celebrations are marked as public holidays, and both private and public sector workers often receive multiple days off work, giving time to spend with loved ones and also explore the world on a long-weekend break. So when are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in 2024?
When is Eid 2024?
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr 2024 fell on Wednesday 10 April 2024, a month after the estimated beginning of Ramadan on Monday 11 March 2024. This uear, UAE residents and citizens were given one of the most generous public holidays of years gone by – stretching from Monday 8 April to Friday 12 April – as Eid al-Fitr holidays are typically granted from Ramadan 29 (Monday April 8) to Shawwal 3 (Friday April 12) in the Islamic calendar. With two weekends either end, this meant a full working week away from the office and a nine-day holiday.
When is Eid al-Adha 2024?
Offering a much-desired long summer weekend, Eid al-Adha 2024 could come with a five-day long weekend. As per publicholidays.ae, the holiday is expected to fall on the evening of Sunday 16 June, and stretch to Wednesday 19 June, giving those who work from Monday to Friday a five-day long weekend.
Despite the predictions, official confirmed dates for Eid al-Fitr al-Adha are dependent on the moon sighting and can often be announced just a few days before the predicted holiday. If all is as predicted, UAE workers in both the private and public sectors will be able to plenty of time off work perfect for a summer getaway and to escape the summer heat. Helping UAE residents and citizens travel more freely and efficiently, more countries are now offering visas on arrival or e-visas for UAE residents, with the latest addition to the 14-strong list being Japan.
When is the next public holiday after Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?
Hijri New Year (Islamic New Year): 7 July 2023
Another long weekend will shortly follow Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha, and the next public holiday will be Hijri New Year (Islamic New Year) – falling on Sunday 7 July. However, for those working Monday to Friday this might not mean any additional time off work.
Prophet Muhammed’s (PBUH) birthday: 15 September 2023
Another UAE public holiday is the birthday of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), which is marked on 15 September in 2024. This, however, also falls on a Sunday, so could sadly come with no additional public holiday.
Commemoration Day and UAE National Day: 1 to 3 December (2 days)
One of the longest public holidays in the UAE is National Day – which comprises three days and can often result in a five-day weekend. The public holiday marks the founding of the United Arab Emirates and celebrates the achievements and feats of the nation since its birth on 2 December 1971. Celebrations begin with Commemoration Day (previously known as Martyrs’ Day) – marked annually on 1 December – which falls on a Friday in 2023, followed by a two-day holiday on 2 and 3 December. In 2024, the 2 and 3 falls on Monday and Tuesday, so this could mean a four-day weekend for the last public holiday of the year.
