A guide to public holidays in the UAE

Islamic holidays are determined according to moon sighting and so the actual holiday dates vary each year.

That said, scholars can estimate when these holidays will fall within a two-to-three-day window.

A rough guide to the public holidays in 2024 that are applicable to both public and private sectors are as follows:

• Gregorian New Year: 1 January
• Eid Al Fitr: From 29 Ramadan to 3 Shawwal*: w/c 8th April
• Arafah day and Eid Al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): 17 to 18 June
• Hijri New Year (Islamic New Year): 8 July (tentative)
• Prophet Mohammed’s birthday: 15 September 2024
• National Day: 2 and 3 December (2 days).

*Note: Islamic holidays are determined according to moon sighting.