The UAE public holidays have been falling on weekends lately but there is a long weekend still pending on the calendar
The UAE’s list of public holidays is a calendar residents religiously check in anticipation of long weekends to plan some well-deserved getaways.
While authorities have just confirmed a public holiday for Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday, it’s unfortunately not a long weekend!
So far, UAE residents have enjoyed long weekends for public holidays for New Year’s Day on 1 January, three days for Eid Al Fitr starting 8 April, four days for Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha starting 15 June.
The last two public holidays, namely for Islamic New Year and Prophet Muhammad’s birthdays were unfortunately on a Sunday, which meant no extra holidays for those with two-day weekends.
In better news, a new cabinet resolution is anticipated to come into effect next year that will ensure public holidays falling on weekends will be carried over to the start of the new week.
But when is the next real long weekend coming up?
When is the next UAE public holiday?
Commemoration Day (previously known as Martyrs’ Day), will also be taking place on a Sunday, 1 December.
However, UAE National Day celebrations will fall on 2 and 3 December which is a Monday and Tuesday in 2024. This potentially means a long three-day break from the weekend.
It’s a bit of a wait, but it’s good to get ahead of what’s sure to be packed airports and hiked travel prices to plan a well-deserved getaway.
The UAE has already announced the full list of public holidays you can look forward to in 2025 though, and if you’re anything like us you already have those travel plans locked and loaded.
UAE public holidays in 2025
The UAE government has announced the official holiday dates for 2025, and even with adjustments owing to the lunar calendar, it’s the perfect opportunity for residents to get planning those vacations.
And if you’re a fan of those long weekends (who isn’t?), the resolution comes into effect from 1 January 2025 and allows for UAE public holidays that fall on weekends to be moved to the beginning or end of the week. Check out the full list
Get planning!
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