Table of contents
Quick answer
The UAE's public holidays come in two kinds: fixed dates on the Western calendar and moving Islamic dates set by moon-sighting. The fixed ones are New Year's Day (1 January) and, in early December, Commemoration Day and National Day (2-3 December); the Islamic ones — chiefly Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, the Hijri New Year and the Prophet's Birthday — shift about 10-11 days earlier each year and are announced annually by the UAE Cabinet, often only days ahead. On a holiday, government offices and banks close while malls, restaurants, attractions and public transport usually stay open and get busier than normal.
How do UAE public holidays work?
Public holidays in the UAE fall into two groups, and the difference matters when you plan. One group sits on fixed dates in the Western, or Gregorian, calendar, so it lands on the same day every year. The other follows the Islamic lunar calendar and is set by the sighting of the new moon, so those dates move.
Because the lunar holidays depend on the moon, they drift about 10 to 11 days earlier each year, and their exact dates are only confirmed close to the time. The UAE Cabinet announces the official days, and MOHRE sets them for the private sector, so it is wise to check the current year's announcement rather than assume last year's dates.
Which public holidays have fixed dates?
Three holidays sit on the calendar the same way every year. New Year's Day is 1 January. Then, at the start of December, come two national occasions: Commemoration Day, which honours the country's martyrs, and National Day, also called Eid Al Etihad.
National Day falls on 2 and 3 December. Commemoration Day is observed just before it, at the end of November or the start of December. These are the dates you can plan around well in advance, because they do not shift with the moon.
The moon-sighting Islamic holidays
Four holidays follow the Islamic calendar. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and usually runs about three to four days. Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha fall around the time of the Hajj pilgrimage, again for roughly three to four days. The Islamic, or Hijri, New Year and the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday, known as Mawlid, are each a single day.
All four are tied to the lunar calendar, so they arrive about 10 to 11 days earlier than the year before, and their precise dates are confirmed annually, often only days ahead for the moon-sighting holidays. For that reason the table shows when each one falls rather than fixed dates, so always confirm the current year with the UAE Cabinet or MOHRE.
| Holiday | Type | When it falls |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | TypeFixed | When it falls1 January |
| Commemoration Day | TypeFixed | When it fallsEnd Nov / early Dec |
| National Day (Eid Al Etihad) | TypeFixed | When it falls2-3 December |
| Eid al-Fitr | TypeMoon-sighting | When it fallsEnd of Ramadan, about 3-4 days |
| Arafat Day & Eid al-Adha | TypeMoon-sighting | When it fallsAround the Hajj, about 3-4 days |
| Islamic (Hijri) New Year | TypeMoon-sighting | When it fallsOne day, moves each year |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | TypeMoon-sighting | When it fallsOne day, moves each year |
Islamic dates move about 10-11 days earlier each year and are confirmed by the UAE Cabinet — and by MOHRE for the private sector — often only days in advance. Public- and private-sector days can differ slightly.
What stays open on a public holiday?
For a visitor, a public holiday rarely means a closed city. Malls, restaurants, attractions and public transport generally stay open, and they are often busier than usual because residents have time off. What does close is government offices and banks, so line up any visa, licensing or in-person banking errands around them; online and app banking still works.
The exception to the relaxed mood is Ramadan, the month leading up to Eid al-Fitr. Opening hours change during the fasting month, and eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours is restricted. Many venues adjust their service, so it is worth checking times before you head out.
Planning around a holiday
If your trip is flexible, it helps to know which dates draw the crowds. The December national holidays and the two Eids are the busiest windows, when domestic travel peaks and hotels and flights fill up.
Because the Eid dates are confirmed only a short time ahead, it can be hard to plan a trip precisely around them. If you need certainty, build around the fixed dates; if you are travelling over Eid, book early and keep an eye on the official announcement as it gets closer.
Eid is peak season for domestic travel, so rooms and flights sell out and prices climb. Book well ahead, and confirm the official dates close to your trip, as the Eid holidays are set only shortly before they begin.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does the UAE have each year?
The exact number changes from year to year. The fixed holidays — New Year's Day, Commemoration Day and National Day — recur on the same dates, but the Islamic holidays move with the lunar calendar and the Cabinet sets how many days each one runs, so there is no single fixed total. Check the current year's official announcement for the precise count.
When is UAE National Day?
National Day, also called Eid Al Etihad, falls on 2 and 3 December every year, and it does not move with the moon. Commemoration Day, which honours the country's martyrs, is observed just before it, at the end of November or the start of December.
Will banks and government offices be closed on a public holiday?
Yes. Federal and local government offices and banks close on public holidays, so plan any visa, licensing or in-person banking tasks around them. Online and app-based banking keeps working, and private businesses, malls and transport generally carry on as normal.
How are the Eid holiday dates decided?
The Eid holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar and depend on the sighting of the new moon, so they shift about 10 to 11 days earlier each year. The UAE Cabinet confirms the exact dates annually, with MOHRE setting them for the private sector, and for the moon-sighting holidays this often comes only days ahead. Because of that, next year's dates are not fixed far in advance, so check the official announcement closer to the time.
Is Dubai busy during Eid?
Yes. Eid is one of the busiest times of the year because it is peak domestic-travel season, so hotels, flights and popular attractions fill up and prices rise. The city stays open and lively, but book accommodation and transport well ahead if you are visiting over Eid.
Written by the TripReview team from our own price benchmarks and the rules published by UAE authorities, and updated 22 October 2026. Figures are ranges, not quotes — check the latest rules with the official source before you travel. How we rate companies
