UAE public holidays 2027: full list
Here's every public holiday day off in the UAE in 2027, with the day of the week so you can plan rosters and leave ahead of time.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Fri | New Year's DayConfirmed | Confirmed |
| 9–12 Mar | Tue–Fri | Eid Al FitrFrom 29 Ramadan to 3 Shawwal. Exact dates depend on the moon sightingExpected | Expected |
| 15 May | Sat | Arafat DayDepends on the moon sightingExpected | Expected |
| 16–18 May | Sun–Tue | Eid Al Adha3 days. Depends on the moon sightingExpected | Expected |
| 7 Jun | Mon | Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year)Expected on Sunday 6 June, with the day off likely moved to Monday 7 JuneExpected | Expected |
| 16 Aug | Mon | Prophet Muhammad's BirthdayExpected on Sunday 15 August, with the day off likely moved to Monday 16 AugustExpected | Expected |
| 2–3 Dec | Thu–Fri | Eid Al Etihad (National Day)2 daysConfirmed | Confirmed |
New Year's Day and National Day are fixed. Islamic holidays follow the Hijri calendar and are confirmed after the official moon sighting, so each can move by about a day.
Long weekends in UAE in 2027
With a Saturday & Sunday weekend, these holidays create breaks of three days or more. They're the busiest times for leave requests, so it pays to plan cover early.
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Same holidays for public and private sectors
The UAE gives the same official public holidays to government and private-sector employees.
Holidays can move to the start or end of the week
The Cabinet can move a holiday to the beginning or end of the week to create a long weekend. The two Eids are the exception: they always stay on their Hijri dates.
Weekend is Saturday and Sunday
Since 2022 the official weekend is Saturday and Sunday, with a shorter working day on Friday for government employees. Many private companies follow the same pattern.
Working on a public holiday
Under the UAE Labour Law, an employee who works on a public holiday gets either another day off in return, or their normal pay for that day plus at least 50% of their basic wage.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays are there in the UAE in 2027?
The UAE has around 13 days of official public holidays in 2027, including Eid Al Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid Al Adha and the 2-day National Day holiday.
When is Eid Al Fitr 2027 in the UAE?
Eid Al Fitr is expected around Wednesday 10 March 2027. The holiday runs from 29 Ramadan to 3 Shawwal, expected around 9 to 12 March.
When is National Day 2027 in the UAE?
Eid Al Etihad (National Day) is on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December 2027, giving a long weekend through Sunday 5 December.
Do private-sector employees get the same holidays in the UAE?
Yes. The UAE's official public holidays apply to both the public and private sectors.
This guide is for planning only and isn't legal advice. Holiday dates can change by official announcement, so always confirm with the relevant government source. We'll keep this page updated as dates are confirmed.