Next UAE Public Holiday in August
Government and private sector employees across the UAE are expected to receive a day off in August to mark the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), one of the most significant dates on the Islamic calendar. The exact date of the UAE public holiday will be confirmed by the authorities closer to the time, but it is estimated to be Tuesday, August 25. However, the day off itself may actually be given a day sooner, on Monday, August 24.
This occasion always falls on the 12th day of Rabi’ Al-Awwal in the Hijri calendar. Based on current estimates, the actual date of the occasion looks likely to be Tuesday, August 25. The UAE public holiday law allows local governments to add extra public holidays not outlined above if they choose to do so.
Per UAE holiday regulations, a public holiday can be moved to the beginning or to the end of a week if it falls between two working days. Since 2022, the weekend is Saturday and Sunday. Islamic holiday exact dates are subject to moon sightings and may differ from the date given.
The predicted public holiday dates UAE 2026 include New Year’s Day on Thursday, January 1, Eid Al Fitr from Thursday, March 19, to Sunday, March 22, Arafat Day on Tuesday, May 26, Eid Al Adha from Wednesday, May 27, to Friday, May 29, Islamic New Year on Monday, June 15, and The Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH) on Monday, August 24, with the official day to fall on Tuesday, August 25.
The UAE public holidays 2026 also include National Day on Wednesday, December 2, and Thursday, December 3. In 2026, UAE residents can expect at least 12 official days off, including a bumper six-day long weekend in May and four days off for Eid Al Fitr.
UAE residents have already enjoyed two major holiday breaks this year. The year began with a four-day Eid Al Fitr weekend, with the public holiday running from Thursday, March 19. This was followed by the longest break of the year for many employees, as Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha combined with the weekend to create a six-day holiday.
The United Arab Emirates celebrates a mix of holidays, with some relying on the Hijri calendar. The UAE public holiday law, approved in April 2024 and implemented in January 2025, allows for flexibility in scheduling public holidays to create longer weekends.
