UAE Public Holidays 2026-2027: Calendar, Long Weekend Planner & Travel Tips

Planning your vacation in the UAE for next year starts with knowing when the UAE public holidays fall. From New Year’s Day to the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the UAE public holidays 2026 offer opportunities for enjoying long weekends and a great family time. Whether you are looking to visit the city during festive celebrations, cultural events, or a family visit, it is essential to know the official UAE public holiday dates for a perfect trip. 

From the Eid Holidays 2026 UAE to the grand celebrations in the country, you will be offered a unique experience. Whether you are a resident or a tourist, every moment spent in the city will be special. Each of the occasions in the country reflects the diversity, rich culture, and traditions. To make your journey efficient and successful, you must have an accurate Dubai visa in hand, which can be easily applied for at the Online Dubai Visa website. 

The information below highlights the UAE public holidays list, top destinations to visit, travel tips for holiday seasons, upcoming events, and upcoming festivals to watch.

UAE Public Holidays 2026-2027

The Public Holiday Calendar UAE 2026 and the Public Holiday Calendar UAE 2027 are mentioned below. Have a look to check the UAE public holidays: -

Long Weekends in 2026

Are you planning for the long weekends UAE 2026? If yes, then there will be various long weekends to enjoy in the country and have a great vacation. 

1. Eid AL Fitr

It is the first long weekend that will be happening in the year 2026. Eid al-Fitr represents the end of Ramadan and is considered the first three days of Shawwal. At present, it is expected that the public holiday will be from 20th March to 22nd March, and if the day gets combined with weekends, then it will be a six-day break for all. 

2. Eid AL Adha 

For a long weekend vacation, Eid al-Adha is the best festival to enjoy in the UAE, and it is expected that the day will be celebrated between 27th May to 29th May. You can extend your break for more days till the last of the month. 

3. Islamic New Year

The Islamic New Year expected date is 15th-16th June, and it is one of those festivals that is celebrated for long weekends. This UAE public holiday can also be shifted from the start of the week to the end of the week. 

Top Destinations to Visit During UAE Holidays 2026

If you want to make the UAE travel 2026 a memorable year for a lifetime, you must explore the top destinations during the public holidays. Here are some of the following: -

1. Dubai- Burj Khalifa and Dhow Cruise 

Looking to celebrate the New Year in the best way, the perfect destination to visit is Dubai, especially at the Burj Khalifa. You will get mesmerized by the fireworks, offering magnificent views in the evening. Beyond this, if you want to have a party at a peaceful location, go for a Dhow Cruise dinner with your family and discover the natural beauty of the city. 

2. Dubai Mosques

To celebrate Eid al-Fitr, you must visit the famous Dubai mosques on the UAE public holidays. Exploring this city at this festival, you can enjoy exciting activities, traditional dance performances, live music, and special events that happen in various public areas in Dubai. 

3. Abu Dhabi

Whether you have planned to travel on the UAE public holidays 2026 or the UAE public holidays 2027, you must not miss the chance to visit Abu Dhabi during the UAE National Day. This city attracts tourists with patriotic music playing around the city, including car radios and TVs. The best celebrations that you can find in Abu Dhabi are the Yas Island Waterfront, with two nights of fireworks. 

Travel Tips for the UAE Holiday Season

For the UAE holiday season in 2026 or 2027, you should follow certain travel tips highlighted below: -

1. During the time of the UAE public holidays, hotel rooms and flight seats get booked quickly. For this, it is recommended that you should do booking as early as possible to secure your travel to the UAE during the holiday season. 
2. When enjoying the festivals during the day, you must stay hydrated and carry sunscreen with you. 
3. During the religious holidays in the UAE, you must dress modestly when visiting public places. 
4. There may be high traffic in the time of festivals, so to avoid traffic in the UAE, you should use the Metro or the Bus. 

UAE National Day 2026

The UAE National Day 2026 will be celebrated on 2nd December and is the official public holiday in the country. On this day, grand celebrations and events are organised, and this special day gets filled with dazzling fireworks, live concerts, a day and night out with families, and much more. The iconic destinations, such as the Burj Khalifa, Abu Dhabi Corniche, Dubai Festival City, and Sharjah’s AL Majaz Waterfront, present picturesque fireworks aligned with different colours. Another grand celebration on the UAE National Day 2026 is hosted at the Global Village, as it organizes theatrical performances, and one of them is “From the Desert to the Stars”. Enjoy this public holiday by visiting shopping malls to get special promotions on the brands. 

Eid Holidays 2026 in the UAE

During the Eid Holidays 2026 UAE, your experience will be filled with happiness and joy. The day starts with a special Eid prayer held in mosques, and attended by women, men, and children, and they are all dressed modestly. People are motivated to give a Zakat al-Fitr, a kind of charity to help individuals in need. After the prayer, celebrations include warm greetings, traditional sweets, and giving gifts. During the Eid Holidays, you can enjoy famous Emirati dishes, such as machboos, luqaimat, and harees. 

UAE Vacation Around Holidays 2026

Looking at the UAE Holidays 2026 list, you must plan your vacation in the next year, as it is one of the best ways to enjoy cultural festivities, extended breaks, and perfect travel conditions. With the expectation of long weekends during the festivals, like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and the New Year, you can take long breaks and have a great experience. It will be efficient for you to book a hotel and flight tickets in advance to secure your vacation to the UAE. If you want to explore the top attractions, align your travel during the UAE public holidays for a smoother UAE travel 2026. 

Upcoming Events and Festivals to Watch 

There are various events and festivals you must watch in 2026 and 2027, and here are some of the following: -

• Dubai Shopping Festival: This is a must-watch festival that runs from December to January, featuring raffles, fireworks, mega sales, and live concerts. 
• Dubai Food Festival: This annual festival is celebrated in January and represents the diversity and creativity of both the local and international food scene, providing tastings, workshops, and special promotions. 
• Dubai Marathon: This mega event is scheduled to take place in February, and it transforms the city into a running track, while passing through attractions, like the Museum of the Future, Madinat Jumeirah, and Burj AL Arab. 
• UAE National Day: With the grand celebration in December 2026 and 2027, the UAE National Day is best for showcasing the cultural festivities of the country. 
• Eid al-Adha: This festival is celebrated in the UAE on a large scale for three to four days. People exchange gifts, wear new clothes, and it is a public holiday for all. 
• Eid al-Fitr: It is a must-watch festival that is celebrated at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, followed by prayer, meals, and family visits. 

Conclusion

The Public Holiday Calendar of 2026 and 2027 offers people lots of excitement and surprises during their UAE vacation, and it is all because of the grand celebrations during festivals and events. With the UAE public holidays during festivals, such as Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, New Year, Islamic New Year, and the UAE National Day, locals and tourists can look forward to exploring rich cultural traditions. As the UAE holiday season takes place, you must focus on finalizing your trip, aligning with the dates. 

FAQs

Q1. How many public holidays are there in the UAE in 2026?

Ans. In the Public Holiday Calendar in the UAE 2026, there are a total of 12 holidays, including long weekends. 

Q2. Are the UAE public holidays the same for private and government employees?

Ans. Yes, the UAE public holidays are the same for private and government employees, as they are paid leave for all individuals. 

Q3. When is Eid al-Fitr expected in 2026?

Ans. Depending on the sighting of the moon, Eid al-Fitr is expected to take place on 20th March, 2026. 

Q4. What is the best time to travel in the UAE during the holidays?

Ans. The best time to visit the UAE during the holidays is between November to March, as it offers pleasant weather conditions, and you can enjoy lots of festivals, while avoiding summer heat. 

Q5. Are all public attractions open during Eid holidays in the UAE?

Ans. During Eid Holidays, some of the major attractions are open in the UAE with extended hours, such as malls, restaurants, and parks.