This calendar lists all 22 notable dates in the United Arab Emirates' 2026 year so you can plan leave and payroll at a glance. Of these, around 12 are paid public-holiday days across 7 official occasions set by the UAE Cabinet (New Year's Day, Eid al-Fitr, Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, the Prophet's Birthday and National Day); the rest are national observances and astronomical season markers. Unusually for the GCC, the UAE weekend is Saturday and Sunday, and the same holiday dates apply to both the public and private sectors. Public holidays are governed by the UAE Labour Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021) and set under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, administered by MOHRE, and all Islamic dates are confirmed by official moon sighting closer to the time.
Holiday calendar 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Thursday | New Year's Day | Public holiday (National) |
| 16 Jan | Friday | Leilat al-Meiraj (The Prophet's Ascension) | Observance |
| 18 Feb | Wednesday | Ramadan Start (reduced working hours) | Observance |
| 19 Mar | Thursday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Day 1), subject to confirmation (lunar) | Public holiday (Religious) |
| 20 Mar | Friday | Eid al-Fitr (Day 2), subject to confirmation (lunar) | Public holiday (Religious) |
| 20 Mar | Friday | March Equinox | Season |
| 21 Mar | Saturday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Day 3), subject to confirmation (lunar) | Public holiday (Religious) |
| 22 Mar | Sunday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday (Day 4), subject to confirmation (lunar) | Public holiday (Religious) |
| 18 May | Monday | Hajj season begins | Observance |
| 26 May | Tuesday | Arafat (Hajj) Day, subject to confirmation (lunar) | Public holiday (Religious) |
| 27 May | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), subject to confirmation (lunar) | Public holiday (Religious) |
| 28 May | Thursday | Eid al-Adha Holiday, subject to confirmation (lunar) | Public holiday (Religious) |
| 15 Jun | Monday | Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year), subject to confirmation (lunar) | Public holiday (National) |
| 21 Jun | Sunday | June Solstice | Season |
| 26 Aug | Wednesday | Mouloud (Prophet's Birthday), tentative date (lunar) | Public holiday (Religious) |
| 23 Sep | Wednesday | September Equinox | Season |
| 30 Nov | Monday | Commemoration Day (no separate day off) | Observance |
| 2 Dec | Wednesday | National Day | Public holiday (National) |
| 3 Dec | Thursday | National Day Holiday | Public holiday (National) |
| 22 Dec | Tuesday | December Solstice | Season |
| 31 Dec | Thursday | New Year's Eve | Observance |
How UAE Holidays Impact Payroll and Leave Management?
The UAE's calendar blends fixed national days with several lunar Islamic holidays, with Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha each running for multiple days and clustering with Arafat Day, the Islamic New Year and the Prophet's Birthday across the year. During Eid especially, it feels like a grand celebration: people are on leave, travelling, and enjoying personal time. All of this brings changes in attendance, increased leave requests, and varied working arrangements which impact payroll accuracy and leave processes for both employers and employees.