That first week back into the office after the New Year long weekend is always an uphill battle. Which is why we have some good news to help you battle that post-holiday blues. We have a string of UAE public holiday dates to look forward to this new year, as confirmed by the UAE government. Combined with regular weekends, some of them will add up to long weekends. We’ve done the holiday math so you can plan your vacations right away!
New Year = 3-day weekend
January 1, New Year’s Day, marked the first of the 13 public holidays declared for 2024. As it fell on a Monday, we enjoyed a 3-day weekend combined with the Saturday-Sunday preceding the holiday.
Eid Al Fitr = 6 or 9-day public holiday weekend
The next long weekend is set to fall in April for Eid Al Fitr. The UAE cabinet has announced that the Eid Al Fitr holidays will start from the 29th day of Ramadan and run until the 3rd day of Shawwal as per the Hijri calendar.
The corresponding Gregorian calendar dates are Tuesday, April 9 and Friday, April 12. Depending on whether Ramadan has 29 or 30 days this year, we’re looking at four or five full days of public holiday.*
In the event of a 5-day break, the weekends sandwiching it on either side will get us a stonking 9-day-long weekend. Even if it’s a 4-day public holiday for Eid Al Fitr, we get a six-day weekend. Either way, it’s set to be the longest weekend in 2024 for UAE residents.
Arafah Day + Eid Al Adha = 5-day weekend
Mid-June brings a five-day off for Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha. Arafah Day, observed on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah is confirmed as a public holiday by UAE authorities. That gets us one day of leave on Sunday, June 16 which is the predicted Gregorian date for Arafah Day*. Eid Al Adha is celebrated three days after, which is June 17,18,19. When you add the Saturday before Arafah Day, that’s a total of five days of holidays.
Islamic New Year = 1-day public holiday
This will mark the first day of Muharram – the first month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. Going by the list of official public holidays released by the UAE, the public holiday for Hijri New Year is likely to be observed* on Sunday, July 7.
Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) Birthday = 1 day
After the Islamic New Year, Prophet Mohammed’s birthday is the next public holiday. It is expected to fall on Rabi Al Awwal 12. The Gregorian calendar dates are pending confirmation*.
*Islamic calendar dates are not set in stone as it is a lunar calendar.
National Day holidays = 4-day weekend
The last public holidays in the UAE for 2024 will be the UAE National Day holidays in December and they’re going to be a much longed-for extended weekend. December 2 and 3 fall on a Monday and Tuesday, and when you throw in the Saturday-Sunday weekend preceding it, we’re looking at a 4-day holiday.
Why aren’t Islamic public holiday dates confirmed in advance?
The Islamic or Hijri year is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar as it is based on moon sightings. The 12 lunar months have an average of 29 or 30 days each. Therefore, dates of important religious events and festivals change and shift based on when the crescent moon is sighted.
Official confirmation from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) usually drops a week or two ahead of public holidays. So, hang tight till then. Meanwhile, keep this page bookmarked as we’ll be updating it along with ideas for things to do over the long weekends.