Everything you need to know about Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha 2024 – with some lengthy public holidays in store…
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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 2025?
When is Eid 2025?
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr 2025 is set to fall on Saturday 29th April to Monday 31st March, after the estimated beginning of Ramadan on Friday 28th February 2025. This year, UAE residents and citizens will be given one of the shorter Eids of recent years, with just one extra day added onto the long weekend.
When is Eid al-Adha 2024?
Offering a much-desired long summer weekend, Eid al-Adha 2025 could come with another shorter three-day long weekend. As per publicholidays.ae, the holiday is expected to fall on the evening of Friday 6th to Monday 8th June, giving those who work from Monday to Friday an extra day off.
Despite the predictions, official confirmed dates for Eid al-Fitr and 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 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
Hijri New Year marks the beginning of a new lunar Hijri (Islamic) year. In 2025, the public holiday falls on Thursday 26th June, meaning an extra day off work.
Prophet Muhammed’s (PBUH) birthday: 15 September
Another UAE public holiday is the birthday of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), which in 2025 has been confirmed for Thursday 4th September.
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 Monday in 2025, followed by a two-day holiday on 2 and 3 December. In 2025, this will mean a five-day weekend for the final public holiday of the year.
