The United Arab Emirates’ public holidays are based on the Hijri calendar, making it challenging to predict holiday periods accurately. A Hijri year consists of 12 lunar months and typically lasts around 354-355 days, which is 10-11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar.
The beginning of months like Ramadan, Shawwal, and Dhu al-Hijjah is determined by actual crescent-moon sightings. Based on projections for 2027, the UAE private sector will have fewer days off compared to 2026.
However, employees won’t have to wait long for a day off in 2027, as the first long weekend will occur at the beginning of January. New Year’s Day falls on Friday, January 1st, resulting in a three-day long weekend.
Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is expected to fall on Monday, March 8, and will last until Thursday, March 11, giving workers four days off. Arafat Day is projected to fall on Saturday, May 15, with no day off work.
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Eid Al Adha will start on Sunday, May 16, with public holidays on Monday, May 17, and Tuesday, May 18. The Islamic New Year, also known as the Hijri New Year, is expected to fall on the weekend, resulting in no days off.
The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad is expected to fall on Sunday, August 14, with no day off work since it’s already a weekend. National Day, on the other hand, falls on Thursday, December 2, starting a two-day public holiday, and with the weekend following, UAE residents will be off for four days.
As a result, the UAE’s holiday schedule for 2027 is expected to be different from that of 2026. The private sector, in particular, will have fewer days off in 2027.
