Dubai Public Holidays 2026

How UAE Public Holidays Work

The UAE has two kinds of public holidays:

• Fixed-date holidays — fall on the same Gregorian date every year: New Year’s Day (1 January), Commemoration Day (1 December), and UAE National Day (2-3 December).
• Islamic (lunar) holidays — follow the Islamic Hijri calendar, which is moon-based. Their Gregorian dates shift roughly 10-11 days earlier each year, and are officially confirmed by moon sighting shortly before they occur. These include Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha (with Arafat Day), the Islamic/Hijri New Year, and the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (Mawlid).

Official holiday dates are announced by the UAE Cabinet, usually with both public and private sectors aligned. Because the Islamic dates depend on the moon, calendars beforehand show expected dates that may shift by a day or two once confirmed.

UAE Public Holidays 2026 (Full Calendar)

Here is the expected 2026 public holiday calendar. Islamic dates are approximate pending moon sighting:

Ramadan 2026 — What to Expect

Ramadan is the Islamic holy month of fasting, expected to run from around mid-to-late February to late March 2026 (about 29-30 days), ending with Eid Al Fitr. It’s not a public holiday itself, but it changes the rhythm of the city.

What changes during Ramadan

• Daytime fasting: Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Out of respect, eating, drinking, and smoking in public during daylight is restricted for everyone, including tourists.
• Reduced hours: Working hours shorten; some venues open later and have quieter daytimes.
• Evenings come alive: After sunset, the city celebrates with iftar (the fast-breaking meal) and later suhoor. Hotels and restaurants host spectacular Ramadan tents and feasts.
• Toned-down nightlife: Live music and clubbing are subdued during the month.

The upside for visitors

Hotels and restaurants stay open (many with screened daytime dining areas for non-fasting guests), hotel rates are often lower, attractions are less crowded, and the evening atmosphere is genuinely special. Travelers who lean into the cultural experience — dining at an iftar, exploring after sunset — often find Ramadan a rewarding time to visit.

Eid Al Fitr

Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is one of the year’s biggest celebrations, expected around late March 2026. It typically brings 3-4 days of public holiday. Expect festive crowds, special events, fireworks, mall promotions, and a celebratory mood across the city.

It’s also one of the busiest and most expensive travel windows, as regional visitors flock to Dubai. If you want to visit during Eid Al Fitr, book hotels well in advance — both rates and occupancy peak.

Eid Al Adha & Arafat Day

Eid Al Adha (the “Festival of Sacrifice”) follows the Hajj pilgrimage and is expected around late May to early June 2026, preceded by Arafat Day. Combined, these create another multi-day public holiday and a second major peak-travel period in the calendar.

Like Eid Al Fitr, expect festivities, busy attractions, and elevated hotel prices. The early-summer timing means warm-to-hot weather, so it’s popular with regional travelers but less so for those avoiding heat.

National Day & Commemoration Day

Commemoration Day (1 December) honours UAE citizens who gave their lives in service. UAE National Day (2-3 December) celebrates the 1971 unification of the seven emirates.

Early December is one of the liveliest times in Dubai: fireworks, parades, light shows, car parades, and city-wide decorations. It also coincides with the pleasant winter weather, making it a hugely popular — and busy — travel period. Hotel prices climb accordingly, so book ahead if you want to experience the National Day festivities.

How Holidays Affect Hotel Prices

Holidays have a big impact on what you’ll pay for a hotel in Dubai:

Opening Hours & What Stays Open

Good news for tourists: Dubai is built around leisure, so holidays rarely disrupt sightseeing.

• Closed on public holidays: Government offices and banks.
• Open (often with extended hours and events): Malls, restaurants, attractions, theme parks, and hotels — holidays are peak leisure times, so these thrive.
• During Ramadan: Many venues shift to later hours with quieter daytimes and lively post-sunset activity. Some daytime dining is screened or limited.
• Around Eid: Expect malls and attractions to be busy with celebratory crowds and special programming.

In short, your hotel, the malls, and the major attractions will be open and often buzzing during holidays — it’s mainly government services that pause.

Best Time to Visit Around Holidays

• For festivities & great weather: Early December (National Day) — spectacular, but busy and pricey. Book ahead.
• For best value: Ramadan or the summer shoulder — lower rates, fewer crowds (accept the heat or the daytime fasting etiquette).
• For a unique cultural experience: Ramadan evenings and iftar dining.
• To avoid the biggest crowds & prices: Steer clear of Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, and the New Year window.
• For the all-round sweet spot: Late October–November or March (outside Eid) — warm, pleasant, and less peak than December–January.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the UAE public holidays in 2026?

New Year’s Day (Jan 1), Eid Al Fitr (~late March), Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha (~late May/early June), Islamic New Year (~mid-June), Prophet’s Birthday (~late August), Commemoration Day (Dec 1), and National Day (Dec 2-3). Islamic dates are confirmed by moon sighting.

When is Ramadan 2026?

Expected to begin around mid-to-late February 2026 and run ~29-30 days, ending with Eid Al Fitr in late March. Exact start depends on the moon sighting.

Do hotel prices rise during holidays?

Yes — significantly at Eid, National Day, and New Year. Ramadan and deep summer are often cheaper.

Is Dubai good to visit during Ramadan?

It can be rewarding — unique atmosphere, lower rates, evening iftars — if you respect daytime fasting etiquette and don’t mind toned-down daytime dining and nightlife.

When is UAE National Day 2026?

December 2-3, with Commemoration Day on December 1. Early December is festive, pleasant, busy, and pricey.

Will attractions be open on holidays?

Yes — malls, restaurants, attractions, and hotels stay open (often with events). Only government offices and banks close.