5-Day Public Sector Holiday Set for 55th Eid Al Etihad
Public sector employees in the United Arab Emirates will receive an official three-day public holiday from Wednesday, December 2, to Friday, December 4, 2026, to celebrate the country’s 55th Eid Al Etihad. Combined with the regular Saturday-Sunday weekend, government staff will secure five consecutive days off before official working hours resume on Monday, December 7.
Extended Holiday Marks Final Official Break of 2026
The holiday sequence starts on Wednesday, December 2, marking the nation’s founding anniversary, and extends through the end of the working week. Government entities across the country will remain closed through Friday, making Eid Al Etihad the final official public holiday on the national calendar for 2026.
Under Article 2 of the Cabinet resolution governing public holidays, official non-weekend holidays can be adjusted by Cabinet decision to align with the start or end of the working week. Article 4 further allows local governments to grant additional holidays for their specific departments during special occasions.
The upcoming December holiday follows earlier public observances across the country in 2026, including Eid Al Adha in May and Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday in August.
