About Dubai

Public Holidays

During the year there are holidays on set dates, such as National Day every 2 December. Other Islamic holidays are based on the sighting of the moon and therefore the dates vary. Often this can mean confirmation of a holiday less than 24 hours before it is due, something most companies will inform employees about via email when it is announced. 

The main Muslim festivals during the year are Eid Al Fitr (the festival of the breaking of the fast, which marks the end of Ramadan) and Eid Al Adha (the festival of sacrifice, which marks the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca). Mawlid Al Nabee is the holiday celebrating the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, and Lailat Al Mi’raj celebrates the Prophet’s ascension into heaven. See below for holiday dates for your diary.
 
The list below of public holidays applies mainly to the public sector; if you work in the private sector you may get fewer days holiday per year as the days called off will be at your company’s discretion. National Day, which celebrates the foundation of the federation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, is one day for private sector workers but two days for the public sector. The day is a huge day of patriotic celebration throughout the UAE with plenty of flag flying and many buildings are adorned in the flag’s vibrant colours. 

  • New Year: 1 Jan 2015 (fixed)
  • Mawlid Al Nabee: 3 Jan 2015 (moon)
  • Lailat Al Mi’raj: 16 May 2015 (moon)
  • Eid Al Fitr: (3 days) 17 July 2015 (moon)
  • Arafat Day: 22 Sept 2015 (moon)
  • Eid Al Adha: (3 days) 23 Sept 2015 (moon)
  • Islamic New Year: 15 Oct 2015 (moon)
  • UAE National Day: (1 or 2 days) 2 Dec 2015 (fixed)
  • New Year: 1 Jan 2016 (fixed)
  • Mawlid Al Nabee: 11 Dec 2016 (moon)
  • Lailat Al Mi’raj: 5 May 2016 (moon)

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