Here’s how to make the most of the UAE’s 2027 public holidays
If you’re already looking at the 2027 calendar and wondering when you can squeeze in your next holiday, there is good news coming your way.
Next year could bring several handy long weekends in the UAE, with a possible six-day break for Eid al-Fitr.
While some dates are already clear, others are estimates because Islamic holidays follow the Hijri calendar and are confirmed according to moon sightings.
So, before booking those flights, here’s what you need to know about the UAE’s expected public holidays in 2027.
UAE public holidays 2027: the dates to know
- New Year’s Day: 1 January – confirmed
- Eid al-Fitr: 9-11 March, or 9-12 March if Ramadan lasts 30 days – to be confirmed
- Arafah Day and Eid al-Adha: 15-18 May – to be confirmed
- Islamic New Year: 6 June – to be confirmed
- Prophet’s Birthday: 14 August – to be confirmed
- Eid Al Etihad: 2-3 December – confirmed
January starts with a long weekend
There’s no need to wait long for your first break. New Year’s Day falls on Friday, 1 January, 2027, meaning residents should automatically get a three-day weekend, running from Friday through Sunday.
The first working day of the year will be Monday, 4 January.
If you’re feeling ambitious with your annual leave, this could also be a good opportunity to use a few days at the beginning of January and turn a short break into a much longer getaway.
Eid al-Fitr could bring six days off
One of the biggest breaks of the year could arrive in March. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on Monday, 8 February, with Eid al-Fitr likely falling in early March.
The official Eid holiday covers the first three days of Shawwal. If Ramadan lasts 29 days, the expected public holidays are Tuesday, 9 March to Thursday, 11 March.
If Ramadan completes the full 30 days, Friday, 12 March would also become a public holiday.
That means residents could enjoy a six-day break from Tuesday, 9 March through Sunday, 14 March if the additional day is confirmed.
Want to make it even longer? Taking Monday, 8 March as annual leave could create a nine-day stretch away from work, from Saturday, 6 March to Sunday, 14 March.
Eid al-Adha could be another big opportunity
Later in May, residents can expect another four-day public holiday for Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha.
The expected dates are Saturday, 15 May to Tuesday, 18 May, although these will depend on the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent.
Because the holiday begins on a Saturday, there isn’t currently an automatic weekday transfer under the UAE’s public holiday rules.
However, if you have annual leave to spare, taking Wednesday, 19 May to Friday, 21 May could turn the break into a nine-day stretch, running from Saturday, 15 May to Sunday, 23 May.
Islamic New Year could fall on a Sunday
The Islamic New Year, marking the beginning of Muharram, is expected around Sunday, 6 June. The exact date will depend on the lunar calendar and official confirmation.
Because it is expected to fall on a Sunday, don’t automatically assume you’ll get a replacement weekday off. UAE rules state that a public holiday falling on a Saturday or Sunday cannot simply be moved to another day.
Prophet’s Birthday is expected in August
The next one-day public holiday is expected to mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, which falls on 12 Rabi Al Awwal.
For 2027, the likely date is Saturday, 14 August, although, again, the final date depends on the Hijri calendar and moon sighting.
As it falls on a Saturday, it is not expected to be transferred to another day.
December brings a four-day weekend
The end of the year is looking particularly good for a break. The UAE’s 56th Eid Al Etihad celebrations will include public holidays on Thursday, 2 December and Friday, 3 December, 2027.
With the weekend immediately following, that means residents should have a four-day break from Thursday, 2 December through Sunday, 5 December.
If you want to stretch it a little further then taking Wednesday, 1 December off would give you five consecutive days away from work.
Can UAE public holidays be moved?
This is where things can get a little complicated. Some public holidays can be transferred to the beginning or end of the week if the UAE Cabinet makes a decision to do so. This is designed to give residents longer breaks without changing the total number of public holidays.
However, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are exceptions, meaning their dates cannot be moved under the transfer rule.
There is also no automatic transfer when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. And if two public holidays happen to fall on the same day, one cannot simply be shifted to another date.
So, while the dates below are useful for planning, it’s worth waiting for official announcements before making non-refundable travel bookings.
One more thing if you’re working on a public holiday
UAE employees are entitled to paid leave for official public holidays. However, some employees may still be required to work depending on their role and employer.
Under UAE employment rules, employees who work on a public holiday are generally entitled to either a substitute day off or their normal day’s pay plus an additional payment of at least 50 per cent of their basic salary, subject to the applicable employment regulations.
So, whether you’re planning a big overseas trip, a staycation, or simply want to maximise your days away from the office, 2027 is definitely worth putting on your calendar now.
