Public holidays in the United Arab Emirates are a key part of planning for residents, workers, and visitors, because they affect school terms, office closures, travel prices, and family trips. In 2027, the official holidays include fixed dates such as New Year Day and National Day, together with Islamic holidays whose exact dates depend on the sighting of the moon and on the official announcement for that year. Knowing the full list in advance helps a family book flights at a better price, helps an employer plan leave, and helps a visitor choose the best week for a trip.
This guide lists the official UAE public holidays for 2027, explains what each holiday marks, and explains how the dates are confirmed each year. It also covers the rules for holidays that fall on a weekend, the difference between public sector and private sector holidays, and practical planning tips for travel and for school holidays. Exact dates for Islamic holidays should always be checked against the official announcement, because moon sighting can move a date by a day, and this guide points to the official UAE government portal for the latest confirmation.
Full list of UAE public holidays in 2027
The official public holidays in the United Arab Emirates for 2027 cover both fixed national dates and Islamic occasions, and the list is set by the UAE government for the public sector and for the private sector. The fixed holidays are New Year Day on 1 January and National Day on 2 December and 3 December, and these dates do not move from year to year. The Islamic holidays are Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, and the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and their exact dates are confirmed by moon sighting close to the time.
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and it is usually a break of several days that many families use for travel or for gatherings with relatives. Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha fall during the Hajj season, and Eid Al Adha is also a time when many residents travel, so flights and hotels should be booked early. Islamic New Year marks the start of a new Hijri year, and the birthday of Prophet Muhammad is a day of religious observance, and both are quieter holidays than the Eid breaks for most families.
National Day on 2 December and 3 December marks the union of the Emirates, and it is celebrated across the country with events, fireworks, and family outings, especially in Abu Dhabi and in Dubai. New Year Day on 1 January is a quieter start to the year for many residents, and it is often used for rest after the festive season. Together, these holidays give residents a set of breaks through the year, and planning around them early helps with leave requests, school plans, and travel bookings.
How UAE public holiday dates are confirmed
Fixed holidays are the easiest to plan, because New Year Day always falls on 1 January and National Day always falls on 2 December and 3 December, and employers, schools, and airlines can set their calendars far in advance. Islamic holidays work differently, because the Islamic calendar is based on the moon, and each Islamic month starts when the new moon is sighted. This means the Gregorian date of an Islamic holiday moves by about ten or eleven days each year, and it can also move by one day in either direction depending on the sighting in the UAE.
For this reason, the UAE government announces the exact dates of Islamic holidays close to the time, and residents should treat any early forecast as an estimate until the official announcement is made. A forecast can help with early planning, but a flight or a hotel booking that cannot be changed should be made with care around an Islamic holiday, because a one day shift can change a travel plan. The safest approach is to book flexible travel where possible, and to check the official announcement as soon as it is published.
The official UAE government portal is the best source for the confirmed list, because it publishes the holidays for the public sector and for the private sector, and it notes any change to the list during the year. News sites also report the announcement, but the government portal should be checked first, because a news report can be based on a forecast rather than on the final decision. Employers should also check the portal, because the official list is the basis for leave and for office closures in both sectors.
Weekend holidays and public sector versus private sector rules
When a public holiday falls on a weekend, the effect depends on the sector and on the official announcement for that year, because the UAE weekend is Saturday and Sunday for most of the public sector and for many private employers. In some years, a holiday that falls on a weekend is moved to a working day, while in other years it is not moved, and the decision is set out in the official holiday announcement. Workers should therefore check the announcement for 2027 rather than assuming a substitute day off, and employers should confirm the rule with the relevant authority before setting a company calendar.
The public sector and the private sector usually share the same official holiday list in the UAE, and the government announcement covers both sectors in most years. There can still be differences in practice, because a private employer may need staff on a holiday for operational reasons, and in that case the labour rules for holiday work and for compensation should be checked. A worker who is asked to work on a public holiday should keep a record of the hours worked and should ask the employer in writing how the day will be compensated, so that there is no dispute later.
Schools follow their own academic calendars, and a public holiday does not always mean a school holiday in the same way, because schools may already be closed for a term break or may have a staff training day around a holiday. Parents should check the school calendar as well as the official holiday list, because a school may close for a longer period around Eid or around National Day than the official holiday itself. Planning both calendars together helps a family avoid a surprise, especially when booking travel that depends on school dates.
| Holiday | Date rule in 2027 |
| New Year Day | 1 January, fixed date |
| National Day | 2 and 3 December, fixed dates |
Planning travel and leave around UAE public holidays in 2027
Travel planning around public holidays should start early, because flights and hotels for Eid breaks and for National Day are booked quickly, and prices rise as the holiday gets closer. A family that knows the likely window for Eid Al Fitr or for Eid Al Adha can set a price alert and can book flexible tickets, so that a one day shift in the official date does not force a costly change. A traveller should also check the visa rules for the destination and the passport validity for every family member, because a holiday trip can be ruined by a document that expires soon after departure.
Leave planning should also start early, because many workers want the same days off around a long holiday, and employers often approve leave on a first come basis. A worker who wants a longer break can combine a public holiday with annual leave on the days around it, but the request should be made as soon as the official dates are known. A worker should also keep a note of the remaining leave balance, because a long Eid break can use several days of annual leave if it is extended on both sides.
For residents who stay in the UAE during a holiday, planning is still useful, because malls, parks, and attractions are busier than usual, and popular events can sell out. Booking tickets for a show or for a theme park in advance saves time in a queue, and visiting a popular place early in the day or late in the evening can avoid the worst crowds. A family that plans a staycation should also book early, because hotels in Dubai and in Abu Dhabi fill up quickly for National Day and for Eid weekends.
- Check the official UAE government portal for the confirmed holiday dates before booking travel.
- Book flights and hotels early for Eid breaks and for National Day, and choose flexible tickets where possible.
- Request leave early, and combine a public holiday with annual leave for a longer break where the employer allows it.
- Check passport validity and school calendars together with the official holiday list before a trip.
UAE public holidays 2027 for families, workers and visitors
For families, the best use of a public holiday is often a short trip inside the UAE, because a staycation avoids airport queues and gives children a break without a long flight. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah all offer family hotels, beaches, and parks, and a holiday weekend is a good time to visit a new emirate. Parents should book a family room early, because family rooms sell out first for Eid and for National Day, and they should check whether the hotel offers a family package that includes breakfast and access to a kids club.
For workers, a public holiday is a chance to rest, but it is also a chance to handle personal tasks that are hard to fit into a working week, such as a medical appointment, a government service visit, or a car service. Many government offices are closed on a public holiday, so a worker should check opening hours before planning a visit to a service centre on a holiday. A worker who has a deadline close to a holiday should also finish urgent work before the break, because colleagues and clients may also be away during the same period.
For visitors, a public holiday can be both a highlight and a challenge, because events and fireworks make a trip memorable, while crowds and higher prices can make the same trip more tiring. A visitor who arrives during Eid or during National Day should book a hotel in a central area, because transport to events is easier from a central base, and should allow extra time for travel on the holiday itself. A visitor should also respect local customs during Islamic holidays, because some venues change their hours during Ramadan and during Eid, and a quiet and respectful approach is appreciated.
For students, a public holiday that falls during term time is a short break, but it is not a reason to fall behind, because teachers may set work for the days around the holiday. Students should check the school portal for homework and for any change to exam dates, because a holiday can move a test or an assignment deadline. Parents should also help younger children use the break well, with a mix of rest, reading, and outdoor activity, rather than a full day in front of a screen.
For employers, the holiday list is a planning tool, because it affects staffing, delivery dates, and customer service hours for the whole year. A small business should publish its holiday hours early, so that customers know when it will be open, and should plan stock and deliveries around a long break. A business that serves tourists should also plan extra staff for a holiday weekend, because demand for restaurants, taxis, and attractions rises sharply during Eid and during National Day.
For drivers, a public holiday means busier roads to malls, to beaches, and to event venues, and extra care is needed on the busiest days. A driver should check traffic updates before leaving, should allow extra time for parking, and should avoid the roads around a fireworks venue just before and just after the show. Public transport is often a better choice for a major event, because Metro and bus services run extra trips for large celebrations, and parking near a venue can be very limited.
For residents who observe Ramadan, the Eid Al Fitr break is the end of a month of fasting, prayer, and family gatherings, and it is a time to visit relatives and to share meals. A resident who is new to the UAE should learn the basic customs for Eid, such as greeting neighbours and dressing modestly for family visits, because a small effort to respect local culture is warmly received. A resident should also check the hours of shops and of government offices during Eid, because many businesses change their hours for the holiday period.
Finally, the best way to use the 2027 holiday list is to put it on a family calendar at the start of the year, with the fixed dates entered at once and the Islamic dates added as soon as they are confirmed. A shared calendar helps a family agree on travel plans, helps parents align leave with school breaks, and helps workers avoid a clash between a holiday trip and a work deadline. With the list on the calendar and the official portal checked for updates, the holidays in 2027 can be planned with confidence and enjoyed without last minute stress.
A further point for families is the way a holiday break can be used for learning, because a visit to a museum, to a heritage site, or to a national day event can teach children about the history of the UAE in a way that a classroom lesson cannot. The Etihad Museum in Dubai and the national day events across the Emirates give children a clear picture of how the country was formed, and parents can use the break to talk about the values behind the celebrations. A family that plans one learning visit during each major holiday will build a strong sense of place over the year, and children will remember the holiday for more than a day off school.
A further point for workers is the need to plan handover before a long holiday, because a project that is left without a clear handover can stall while the whole team is away. A worker should write a short note on the status of each task, on the next step, and on the person who can answer a question during the break, and should share that note before leaving. A manager should also agree on who will cover urgent work during the holiday, because a clear cover plan prevents a small problem from becoming a crisis while the office is closed.
A further point for visitors is the value of checking event calendars for the holiday period, because a public holiday in the UAE often brings special concerts, fireworks, and cultural shows that are not on during a normal week. A visitor who checks the official tourism calendar before arrival can plan around the best events, can book tickets early, and can avoid a wasted trip to a venue that is closed for a private event. A visitor should also check the weather for the holiday week, because outdoor events in summer need a different plan from outdoor events in the cooler winter months, when National Day falls.
Conclusion
The UAE public holidays for 2027 give residents and visitors a clear set of breaks through the year, from New Year Day in January to National Day in December, with the Islamic holidays in between. The fixed dates can be planned far in advance, while the Islamic dates should be confirmed from the official announcement, because moon sighting can move a date by a day. With early travel bookings, early leave requests, and a check of the official UAE government portal for the confirmed list, a family, a worker, and a visitor can make the most of every holiday in 2027.
FAQ
The UAE public holidays in 2027 include New Year Day on 1 January, Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid Al Adha, Islamic New Year, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, and National Day on 2 December and 3 December. The exact dates of the Islamic holidays are confirmed by moon sighting and by the official government announcement.
The fixed UAE public holidays are New Year Day on 1 January and National Day on 2 December and 3 December. These dates do not move from year to year, unlike Islamic holidays, which depend on moon sighting.
Islamic holidays depend on moon sighting, because the Islamic calendar is based on the moon, and each month starts when the new moon is sighted. This means the Gregorian date can move by a day, so the exact date should be checked in the official government announcement close to the time.
If a public holiday falls on a weekend, whether it is moved to a working day depends on the official announcement for that year. Workers should check the announcement rather than assuming a substitute day off, and employers should confirm the rule before setting a company calendar.
Yes, the public sector and the private sector usually share the same official holiday list in the UAE, and the government announcement covers both sectors in most years. A private employer may still need staff on a holiday for operational reasons, and in that case the labour rules for holiday work and compensation should be checked.
The confirmed UAE public holidays for 2027 can be checked on the official UAE government portal, which publishes the holidays for the public sector and for the private sector. The portal should be checked close to each holiday, because Islamic holiday dates are confirmed by moon sighting.
