Residents of the UAE are wondering whether Christmas is an official holiday in the country.

This comes as Christmas approaches and offices across the UAE enter their year-end off-season.

It should be noted that Christmas is not an official holiday in the UAE, according to the Cabinet Resolution regulating holidays for both the public and private sectors, which came into effect on January 1, 2025.

The UAE government has clarified that Friday will be a remote work day. While Christmas is not an official holiday, New Year's Day, on Thursday, January 1, 2026, is a public holiday, providing many employees across various government entities with a long weekend.

Some private sector companies and multinational corporations in the UAE also offer internal holidays and early closures at the end of December. Although it is not recognized as an official holiday, the festive season is still widely celebrated throughout the country as part of its organizational policies, particularly in sectors with a large international workforce.

A Guide to Public Holidays and Vacations in the UAE for 2026

1. New Year’s Day

New Year's Day is a one-day holiday that will take place on Thursday, January 1, 2026. You may also take Friday, January 2, 2026, off in addition to the weekend (Saturday and Sunday). This provides you a total of four days off while only utilizing one day of yearly leave. 

2. Eid al Fitr

The Eid Al Fitr festival is projected to last three days, from Friday, March 20 to Sunday, March 22, 2026. If you decide to take Monday, March 16, off and return to work on Monday, March 23, you will utilize five days of your annual leave, for a total of seven days off. 

3. Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha 

Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha are predicted to occur in the end of May 2026. Arafat Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 26, followed by Eid Al Adha from Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29. Arafat Day is a single-day festival, but Eid al-Adha is a three-day celebration. 

If you take leave on Monday, May 25, you may obtain nine days off while using just one day of your annual leave balance by combining the holiday with the weekends before and after. 

4. Islamic New Year

This event occurs on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, and is a one-day holiday. You can take vacation on Thursday and Friday, June 18 and 19, for a five-day break, including the weekend. 

5. Prophet Muhammad's Birthday

Tuesday, August 25, 2026, is projected to be a one-day holiday to commemorate Prophet Muhammad's birthday. If you take vacation on Monday, August 24, you will get a four-day holiday, including the weekend. 

6. UAE's National Day (Union Day)

The year 2026 closes with the UAE National Day (Union Day) holiday. Martyrs' Day is scheduled on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, with the National Day holiday falling on Wednesday and Thursday, December 2-3. 

If you take vacation on Monday, November 30, Tuesday, December 1, and Friday, December 4, you will get a nine-day break that includes the previous and subsequent weekends.