Quick answer: The UAE has 12 public holiday days in 2027, or 13 if Ramadan lasts 30 days. They are the same for the public and private sectors. Two dates are fixed: New Year’s Day on Friday 1 January and National Day on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December. The Islamic holidays follow the moon, so their dates below are projections: Eid Al Fitr around 9 to 11 March, Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha around 15 to 18 May, Islamic New Year around 6 June and the Prophet’s Birthday around 14 August.
UAE public holidays 2027: full list
| Holiday | Expected date 2027 | Day | Days off |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January (fixed) | Friday | 1 |
| Eid Al Fitr | 9 to 11 March | Tuesday to Thursday | 3 (4 if Ramadan has 30 days) |
| Arafat Day | 15 May | Saturday | 1 |
| Eid Al Adha | 16 to 18 May | Sunday to Tuesday | 3 |
| Islamic New Year (1 Muharram 1449) | 6 June | Sunday | 1 |
| Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | 14 August | Saturday | 1 |
| National Day (Eid Al Etihad) | 2 and 3 December (fixed) | Thursday and Friday | 2 |
Islamic dates are projected from the Umm Al Qura calendar and can move by a day after the moon sighting. Check the official announcement before you book.
Are these dates official?
The list of holidays is set by law. Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 fixes which days are public holidays and gives the private sector the same days as the government. What is not final yet are the exact dates of the Islamic holidays, because each Hijri month starts with the sighting of the new moon.
The same resolution also lets the Cabinet move a holiday, except the Eid holidays, to the start or end of the week to create a long weekend. In 2025 it did this with National Day, which moved to Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December. In 2027, Islamic New Year (Sunday 6 June) and the Prophet’s Birthday (Saturday 14 August) fall on weekends, so a move to the following Monday is possible but not confirmed.
Long weekends in 2027 and how much leave you need
| Holiday | Break without leave | Best plan | Days off in a row |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year | Friday 1 to Sunday 3 January (3 days) | No leave needed | 3 |
| Eid Al Fitr | Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 March | Take Friday 12 March, and Monday 8 March | 6 with 1 day of leave, 7 with 2 |
| Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha | Saturday 15 to Tuesday 18 May (4 days) | Take Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 May | 9 with 3 days of leave |
| Islamic New Year | Falls on Sunday 6 June | Watch for a move to Monday 7 June | 2 to 3 |
| Prophet’s Birthday | Falls on Saturday 14 August | Watch for a move to Monday 16 August | 2 to 3 |
| National Day | Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 December (4 days) | Take Monday 29 November to Wednesday 1 December | 9 with 3 days of leave (27 November to 5 December) |
The best value of the year is Eid Al Fitr: one day of leave turns the three-day holiday into six days off, from Tuesday 9 to Sunday 14 March. Eid Al Adha with three days of leave gives nine days, enough for a long trip during school term.
Ramadan 2027 dates
Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027, subject to the moon sighting, and to last 29 or 30 days. Working hours are shorter during Ramadan: private sector employees usually work two hours less each day. Eid Al Fitr follows straight after Ramadan ends.
Do private sector employees get the same holidays?
Yes. Since 2024 the public and private sectors share one holiday calendar. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) confirms each holiday shortly before it.
If your employer asks you to work on a public holiday, UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) says you must get another day off for each day worked, or your normal pay for the day plus at least 50% of your basic pay.
What is left of 2026
- Commemoration Day: Monday 30 November 2026 (not a day off).
- National Day: Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December 2026, expected for both sectors. See our UAE National Day 2026 guide for the long weekend plan and fireworks.
- School winter break: 14 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 in most schools. See UAE winter break 2026–27 dates.
Planning a move or a staycation around the holidays
Long weekends are the busiest times for short stays. If friends and family are visiting, browse holiday homes in Dubai early. Planning to move? The weeks after Eid and before the summer are popular for new leases, so compare homes for rent and check how much your landlord can raise the rent with our Dubai rental index guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does the UAE have in 2027?
Seven holidays with 12 days off in total, or 13 if Ramadan lasts 30 days.
When is Eid Al Fitr 2027 in the UAE?
Expected on Tuesday 9 March 2027, with the holiday from 9 to 11 March. If Ramadan lasts 30 days, Eid moves a day later and the holiday gains a day.
When is Eid Al Adha 2027?
Arafat Day is expected on Saturday 15 May and Eid Al Adha from Sunday 16 to Tuesday 18 May 2027.
When does Ramadan 2027 start in the UAE?
Around Monday 8 February 2027, depending on the moon sighting.
Is 1 January 2027 a holiday in the UAE?
Yes. New Year’s Day, Friday 1 January 2027, is a public holiday for the public and private sectors, which gives a three-day weekend.
When is UAE National Day 2027?
Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December 2027, giving a four-day weekend from Thursday to Sunday.
العطلات الرسمية في الإمارات 2027
تبلغ العطلات الرسمية في الإمارات لعام 2027 اثني عشر يومًا (أو 13 يومًا إذا كان رمضان 30 يومًا)، وهي موحدة للقطاعين الحكومي والخاص. التواريخ المتوقعة: رأس السنة الميلادية الجمعة 1 يناير، عيد الفطر من 9 إلى 11 مارس، يوم عرفة السبت 15 مايو، عيد الأضحى من 16 إلى 18 مايو، رأس السنة الهجرية الأحد 6 يونيو، المولد النبوي السبت 14 أغسطس، واليوم الوطني يومي 2 و3 ديسمبر. ويُتوقع أن يبدأ شهر رمضان يوم الاثنين 8 فبراير 2027. تعتمد تواريخ المناسبات الإسلامية على رؤية الهلال.
Dates checked on 9 November 2026. Islamic holiday dates are projections based on the Umm Al Qura calendar and Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024; they become official only when announced by the UAE government. This page will be updated when the dates are confirmed.