If you’re in the UAE right now, you can get unusually lucky with the calendar weekend this May. Eid Al Adha 2026 is coming and so are the projected holidays for the same. This year, Eid Al Adha is set to deliver a nine-day weekend.
The Eid Al Adha public holidays are usually 4 days long. When combined with the weekend, it turns into a six-day long holiday. Here’s how to plan and optimise.
The UAE could get nine days off at the end of this month
At the end of May 2026, the four day weekend for Eid is expected. On May 26 (Tuesday) falls the Arafat Day. Then comes Eid Al Adha on May 27, May 28, May 29 (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday).
Following the four-days is May 30 and May 31 (Saturday and Sunday). Hence, several working professionals with holidays on Saturday will see a six-day weekend already.
Now here is where you gotta apply a little algebra (I’m kidding, no one has possibly used it, EVER). A little pixie dust and basic calendar calculations later:
If you can take May 25 (Monday) off, you can utilise the weekend before as well, for your travel plans. Granted, the Government has announced that the public sector has Monday off. This way you get May 23 and May 24 (Saturday and Sunday) off as well!
Finally, you can get May 23 to May 31 off by applying for leave on just one day (if not given one on Monday)!
That creates a nine-day weekend or holiday, and anyone who books May 25 off can turn it into 9 days away from work.
What you can do on Eid Al Adha holidays
Eid Al Adha is the best time to go for a mini vacation with deals blowing off the roof. You can watch the famous fireworks from across the city, enjoy things to do with kids or just simply walk alongside the city’s beautiful skyline.
And the best part? Private schools have declared holidays from May 25 to May 31 for all children. Get the week (and weekends) off and you can have an absolute blast!
