UAE Public holidays 2026 – Plan your Dubai Getaways

With the start of the New Year, you should mark your calendar in case you want to make the most of your time in Dubai in 2026. The UAE government also issues a combination of fixed Gregorian dates and lunar-based Islamic feasts – and in 2026, several perfect long-weekend openings are already popping up.

UAE Public Holidays

1. Key Holidays at a Glance

The following is a table of the larger forecasted public holidays of 2026 (dates are subject to change because Islamic calendars require confirmation with moon sighting).

Date 1 January 18 March 19 March 20 March 21 March 22 March 26 May 27 May 28 May 29 May 16 June 25 August 2 December 3 December

Day Thursday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Holiday New Year’s Day Eid al Fitr Holiday (day 1) Eid al Fitr Holiday (day 2) Eid al Fitr (Feast) Eid al Fitr Holiday (day 3) Eid al Fitr Holiday (day 4) Arafat Day Eid al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) Eid al Adha Holiday (day 2) Eid al Adha Holiday (day 3) Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year) The Birthday of Prophet Muhammad (Prospective) National Day (Eid Al Etihad) National Day Holiday

 

• Note: A few sources indicate slightly different provisional days (e.g., 18 Mar vs 20 Mar Eid al-Fitr) – always consult an official one later in the year before the day occurs.

2. The reasons why this is important to CityTourinDubai

We understand that the right time to take a break is all that it takes for CityTourinDubai. These holidays enable:

• Extended trips – Having holidays on weekends (e.g., Fri 20 Mar during Eid al Fitr), you can book 3–4-day trips or even a week-long trip.
• Off-peak seasons – Midweek holidays (such as 2-3 Dec) can be a good time to avoid the busiest seasons and enjoy itineraries that are not too hectic.
• Family-friendly breaks – During school holidays, most holidays coincide with family breaks in the UAE, and thus family-friendly travel-packages are demanded.
• Cultural immersion – Touring during major Islamic holidays (Eid al Fitr, Eid al Adha) will provide you with an opportunity to enjoy the typical festivities of the UAE, which make your tours to be memorable.

3. How to Make the most of Your Holiday Break?

• Book in advance – Hotels and tours in Dubai are booked early and quickly around big holidays, particularly the Eid and the National Day.
• Combine local and signature experiences – Opt for traditional Dubai attractions (Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina) and holiday experiences (fireworks, special events).
• Finalise and check holiday date – Islamic holiday dates are based on the moon-sighting, and as such, they might change. Remember that when booking flights or tours.
• Check for off-peak days – To get fewer people, look to visit during mid-week holidays such as Tuesday 26 May or Wednesday 2 Dec.
• Plan as a family – When travelling with children, book the family package – holiday list + school-break calendar, to create multi-day stay with day of city tours across theme parks.

Final Word

Having at least 12 big public holidays planned in 2026, the UAE provides numerous opportunities to make a good time escape. This translates to smarter planning, extended stays and making more experiences out of it with CityTourinDubai. Check the calendar with the help of the table above and make those golden holidays a memorable trip to Dubai.

Book ahead, travel better – and make your Dubai 2026 trip a magical one!