UAE Public Holidays 2026: What Travellers Need to Know
Some UAE public holidays fall on fixed dates every year; others shift because they follow the Islamic lunar calendar and are only confirmed a day or two ahead by moon sighting — here is how to plan around both.
Quick answer: The UAE's fixed 2026 public holidays are New Year's Day (1 January), Commemoration Day (1 December) and National Day (2-3 December). Islamic holidays — Eid al-Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year and the Prophet's Birthday — shift yearly and are confirmed close to the date by moon sighting.
Fixed-date holidays
- New Year's Day — 1 January
- Commemoration Day — 1 December, honouring the UAE's armed forces
- National Day — 2-3 December, marking the 1971 union of the seven emirates
Islamic (lunar) holidays
Because the Hijri calendar is lunar, these holidays move roughly 10-11 days earlier each Gregorian year and are confirmed only once the moon is officially sighted, typically the evening before: Eid al-Fitr (marking the end of Ramadan, usually a 3-4 day public holiday), Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha (a 3-4 day holiday around the Hajj pilgrimage period), Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year), and the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Mawlid). Exact 2026 Gregorian dates should be checked closer to the time via official UAE government sources, since they cannot be fixed precisely in advance.
What this means for visitors
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Ramadan (the month before Eid al-Fitr) | Shorter business hours, no public daytime eating/drinking, quieter daytime streets |
| Eid holidays | Busy malls and attractions with local families, higher demand for tours |
| National Day (2-3 Dec) | Fireworks and events nationwide, higher hotel and flight prices |
| New Year | Major fireworks displays, premium pricing on hotels and dinner cruises |
Planning around holidays
If avoiding crowds is the priority, the weeks just before or after these holiday clusters are usually calmer and cheaper. If experiencing the events themselves is the goal — National Day fireworks, New Year celebrations, or Eid festivities — booking accommodation and headline attractions several weeks ahead is worth it, since both flights and hotel rates rise sharply in these windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some UAE holiday dates change every year?
Islamic holidays (Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, Prophet's Birthday, Arafat Day) follow the lunar Hijri calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, so their Gregorian dates shift earlier each year and are only officially confirmed once the relevant moon sighting is announced, usually a day or two in advance.
Which UAE public holidays have fixed dates?
New Year's Day (1 January), Commemoration Day (1 December) and National Day (2-3 December) fall on the same Gregorian date every year.
Do hotel and tour prices rise during UAE public holidays?
Yes, particularly around National Day (early December) and New Year, when hotel rates and popular attraction bookings rise noticeably due to both domestic and international demand; booking several weeks ahead is recommended for travel during these windows.
Are shops and attractions open during Eid?
Most malls, restaurants and major attractions stay open during Eid holidays and are often busier than usual with local families, though some smaller businesses may reduce hours, particularly on the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
