UAE residents and citizens are lucky enough to receive many public holidays – another factor in making the nation one of the best places to live in the world. Recently, the UAE Cabinet granted equal leave to both the private and public sectors, ensuring all employees benefit from the same amount of public holiday days – allowing them to have time to themselves and to explore the world, without affecting their annual leave allowance. From Islamic holidays to Gregorian calendar days, here are all the public holidays in the UAE in 2023, and the newly announced public holidays for 2024.
The next public holiday in the UAE – 2023
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 2023, the 2 and 3 falls on Saturday and Sunday, which means no long weekend for those working Monday to Friday, but the UAE government has since announced Monday 4 December will be a public holiday. Commemoration Day 2023 is not being marked by a public holiday.
All the UAE public holidays in the UAE for 2024
Gregorian New Year: 1 January (1 day)
Each year, 1 January is given as a public holiday in the UAE for both the private and public sectors – marking the start of the new year in the Gregorian Calendar. In 2024, the 1 January will fall on a Monday, which means the first working day of the year (for those working Monday to Friday) will be on Tuesday 2 January.
Eid Al Fitr: From 29 Ramadan to 3 Shawwal*
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan, and is a time for celebration and festivities. In the UAE, and the GCC, this special time comes with a handful of public holidays – allowing residents and citizens to spend time with their families and jet off on an Eid escape. In 2024, Ramanda in expected to commence on Monday 11 March, with the Eid al Fitr’s most likely to be from Monday 8 April to Friday 12 April, with the official public holiday announced closer to the time.
Arafah day and Eid Al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): From 9 to 12 Dhu al Hijjah*
A favourite UAE public holiday is the combination of Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha, which takes place in summer each year. The day after Arafah Day marks the start of Eid Al Adha – held in honour of Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son to God – which this year fell in June. In 2024, the Eid Al Adha holiday is expected to all around 15 June.
Hijri New Year (Islamic New Year): 7 July 2024
Hijri New Year marks the beginning of a new lunar Hijri (Islamic) year. In 2024, the public holiday will fall on Sunday 7 July, meaning no extra day off for those working the typical working week.
Prophet Muhammed’s (PBUH) birthday: 15 September 2023
Another UAE public holiday is the birthday of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), which in 2024 has been confirmed for Sunday 15 September. This could mean no long weekend.
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, this will mean a four-day weekend for the final public holiday of the year.
* Islamic holidays are dependent on moon sighting
