DUBAI, October 19, 2026: Residents planning holidays, family visits and annual leave in the United Arab Emirates can now map out the expected UAE public holidays in 2027. The year is set to include a three-day New Year weekend and a four-day National Day break for many employees who work Monday to Friday, while the dates of Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha and other Islamic holidays remain subject to official confirmation.
Important: The UAE’s statutory holiday entitlements are established by Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. The Gregorian dates for Islamic occasions below are astronomical projections, not confirmed government announcements. The holiday calendar will be updated when the authorities announce final dates or any permitted adjustments.
UAE public holidays 2027: Full calendar
| Holiday | 2027 date or expected dates | Weekday | Official entitlement | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregorian New Year | January 1 | Friday | 1 day | Fixed by law |
| Eid Al Fitr | March 9–11; or March 9–12 if Ramadan lasts 30 days (see explanation) | Tuesday–Thursday or Tuesday–Friday | 3 days; potentially 4 with Ramadan day 30 | Projected; moon sighting pending |
| Arafah Day | May 15 | Saturday | 1 day | Projected |
| Eid Al Adha | May 16–18 | Sunday–Tuesday | 3 days | Projected |
| Hijri New Year | June 6 | Sunday | 1 day | Projected |
| Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | August 14 | Saturday | 1 day | Projected |
| Eid Al Etihad / UAE National Day | December 2–3 | Thursday–Friday | 2 days | Fixed by law, subject to any official scheduling decision |
The projected Islamic dates above reflect one widely reported 2027 calendar scenario. Some calendars place Eid Al Fitr or Eid Al Adha one day later. Actual observances depend on official moon-sighting announcements and any applicable government decisions.
January 1: New Year’s Day brings a three-day weekend
Friday, January 1, 2027, is the first fixed UAE public holiday of the year. Employees with a Saturday–Sunday weekend could have three consecutive days off, from Friday, January 1, through Sunday, January 3, returning to work on Monday, January 4. Weekend arrangements can differ among employers and shifts.
March: Eid Al Fitr 2027 could bring an extended break
Ramadan 1448 AH is expected to begin around Monday, February 8, 2027, but the start is subject to the UAE’s official moon-sighting decision. Under the UAE holiday rules, Eid Al Fitr covers 1–3 Shawwal. If Ramadan completes 30 days, Ramadan day 30 is also an official holiday.
One widely used forecast gives the following two possibilities:
- If Ramadan lasts 29 days: Eid Al Fitr is projected for Tuesday, March 9, to Thursday, March 11 (three days).
- If Ramadan lasts 30 days: Tuesday, March 9, would be the additional Ramadan day 30 holiday, followed by Eid Al Fitr on Wednesday, March 10, to Friday, March 12 (four consecutive public holiday days in total).
In the second scenario, employees with Saturday–Sunday weekends could have six consecutive days off from March 9 to March 14. A moon-sighting outcome or calendar calculation different from these projections could shift the dates, so travel bookings should allow for changes.
May: Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha 2027
The UAE provides one day for Arafah Day (9 Dhu Al Hijjah) and three days for Eid Al Adha (10–12 Dhu Al Hijjah). The current projection places Arafah Day on Saturday, May 15, and Eid Al Adha from Sunday, May 16, through Tuesday, May 18, 2027.
For employees who do not normally work weekends, this arrangement would produce four consecutive calendar days away from work, although Saturday and Sunday overlap with their regular weekend. The official Dhu Al Hijjah crescent announcement will determine the actual dates.
June: Islamic New Year 1449 AH
The Hijri New Year holiday is observed on 1 Muharram and is provisionally expected on Sunday, June 6, 2027. Because this date falls on a standard UAE weekend, employees should not assume an automatic additional weekday off. Any transfer requires a separate authorized decision, and the law contains restrictions on moving holidays that fall on weekends.
August: Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
The holiday for the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday falls on 12 Rabi Al Awwal, provisionally Saturday, August 14, 2027. Its Gregorian date is not yet confirmed. As with other holidays falling on a weekend, a substitute weekday should not be presumed.
December 2–3: UAE National Day and Eid Al Etihad
The UAE’s National Day, also called Eid Al Etihad, is a fixed two-day public holiday on December 2 and 3. In 2027 those dates fall on Thursday and Friday, which, combined with the regular Saturday–Sunday weekend, could give many employees a four-day break from December 2 to December 5. The country will mark the 56th anniversary of the formation of the UAE federation in 1971.
Best UAE long weekends in 2027
| Period | Potential break for a Monday–Friday worker | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| New Year | January 1–3: 3 days | Fixed Friday holiday plus weekend |
| Eid Al Fitr | March 9–14: up to 6 days | Only under the projected 30-day Ramadan scenario |
| Arafah and Eid Al Adha | May 15–18: 4 days | Subject to official Islamic dates |
| National Day | December 2–5: 4 days | Fixed dates, assuming usual weekend schedule |
How to extend annual leave around public holidays
Employees who can obtain leave approval may be able to combine annual leave with statutory holidays. For example, taking Wednesday to Friday, May 19–21 as three annual-leave days could create a nine-day break from Saturday, May 15, through Sunday, May 23, provided the projected Eid dates are confirmed and the employee follows a Saturday–Sunday weekend.
Another option is taking Wednesday, December 1, as annual leave to extend the expected National Day break to five days, from December 1–5. These are illustrative planning scenarios, not promises of leave approval.
Are UAE public holidays the same for government and private-sector employees?
Yes. Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 specifies the same categories and numbers of public holiday days for the UAE’s public and private sectors. Actual work schedules and official operational arrangements may differ, particularly for essential services and shift workers.
What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
A holiday on Saturday or Sunday does not automatically create a replacement day off. UAE rules allow certain holidays to be moved by an authorized Cabinet decision, but Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are excluded from the general transfer provision, and restrictions apply to holidays coinciding with weekends or other public holidays. Residents should follow official announcements rather than assuming that a projected weekend holiday will move to Monday.
Can employees be asked to work during a UAE public holiday?
Under Article 28 of the UAE private-sector labour law, an employer may require an employee to work on a public holiday, but the employee is entitled to a substitute rest day or to pay for that day at the normal rate plus an increase of at least 50% of basic wage. Specific employment arrangements should be checked against the applicable labour law and employer policies.
Is Commemoration Day on November 30 an additional UAE public holiday?
Commemoration Day is observed on November 30, but it is not listed as a separate statutory paid public holiday under the current Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 schedule. It should not be added as an extra day off unless the government announces a specific arrangement.
Is Ramadan itself a public holiday?
No. Ramadan is a holy month rather than a month-long public holiday. The statutory days off are linked to Eid Al Fitr, with an additional holiday on Ramadan day 30 when the month lasts 30 days. Working hours and school schedules may be adjusted during Ramadan under separate regulations or announcements.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holiday days will the UAE have in 2027?
The standing holiday schedule provides 12 statutory days across the year, or 13 if Ramadan lasts 30 days. That is a count of designated holiday days, not necessarily 12 or 13 extra weekdays away from work: some holidays may overlap regular weekends.
Are the UAE Eid dates for 2027 confirmed?
No. Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha dates depend on official Islamic calendar and crescent-sighting decisions. Dates shown in advance are projections.
Will Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah follow the same holiday calendar?
The federal public holiday framework applies across the UAE, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other emirates. Individual authorities may announce operating schedules for government services, schools and other facilities.
Where can residents check official UAE public holiday updates?
Consult the UAE Government public holidays page and the official Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024. For specific employment arrangements, consult the relevant employer or the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Sources and editorial methodology
- UAE Government: Public holidays — official holiday categories, moon-sighting caveat and Ramadan day 30 provision.
- UAE Legislation: Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 — statutory public holiday schedule and transfer provisions.
- Khaleej Times, August 11, 2026 (updated August 30) — projected 2027 dates and long-weekend scenarios.
- timeanddate.com: UAE 2027 calendar — independent calendar cross-check; Islamic estimates vary.
Last researched: October 19, 2026. All Islamic dates are provisional and should be replaced with official announcements when available.
