Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent juggling school calendars, or someone who loves planning long weekends and short escapes, 2026 in the UAE offers plenty to look forward to. With well-timed breaks, long-weekend opportunities, and school holidays lining up neatly, the UAE national holidays calendar gives you real room to plan — if you do it right.
This guide helps you look beyond dates and actually use every public holiday in 2026 to plan smarter vacations, family time, and downtime.
The year started with New Year’s Day on January 1, falling on a Thursday. As the first public holiday of the year, many residents took Friday off and turned it into a relaxed four-day break.
People used this time for easy domestic getaways: beach resorts in Ras Al Khaimah, visiting the Liwa festival, or BBQing at the beach. It also set the tone for how well UAE national holidays can work when planned around weekends.
Late March brings one of the most anticipated breaks of the year. Eid Al Fitr, one of the most important Eid holidays in the UAE, is expected around 20–22 March 2026. For many families, this isn’t just a public holiday; it’s a chance to reconnect, travel, and slow down after Ramadan.
This period works especially well because:
It overlaps naturally with spring breaks in many school calendars.
Most MOE schools align their spring break with this period, usually from mid to late March, giving families close to two full weeks to plan travel.
Smart travel tips:
Book flights and hotels early, as demand rises quickly during Eid holidays in the UAE.
Choose nearby coastal destinations like Ajman or Umm Al Quwain if international travel feels hectic.
Use the longer window for trips to Europe or Asia without rushing.
Late May delivers the most generous break of 2026. With Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha falling close together, adding a weekend before or after can unlock up to six continuous days off, often without taking any leave.
Among all Eid holidays in the UAE, this one offers the best opportunity for extended travel. It works perfectly for:
Longer international trips to Europe or Southeast Asia
Cooler local escapes like Hatta or Jebel Jais
Combining beach time in Oman with mountain stays
For parents, this period aligns neatly with the mid-term school break, making it one of the most family-friendly public holiday windows of the year.
Mid-June brings the Islamic New Year, another UAE national holiday that offers a short pause. While this holiday usually lasts one day, UAE holiday policies allow it to shift closer to a weekend.
If you’re watching for the next holiday in the UAE around mid-year, this is a good one to plan around, especially for a quick break or short staycation before summer peaks.
School calendars in the UAE follow a clear rhythm, and 2026 keeps things family-friendly. Several public holidays align neatly with school breaks, making planning easier for parents.
Key periods to note include:
Spring Break & Eid Al Fitr: March 16–29
Mid-Term Break & Eid Al Adha: May 25–29
Islamic New Year: June 16 (with potential shift for a long weekend)
Summer Break for staff: Starting July 18, 2026
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday usually falls in August and often shifts to create a compact long weekend. This public holiday is ideal for short trips before routines return.
December brings one of the most exciting periods on the UAE national holidays calendar. UAE National Day falls on 2–3 December and often extends into a long weekend.
This public holiday goes beyond time off. The country comes alive with:
Fireworks and street celebrations
Cultural events and performances
Concerts, light shows, and family activities across all Emirates
Pro tip: If you’re planning travel around this period, book by late summer. National Day is often the most popular holiday season of the year.
2026 isn’t just another year on the calendar. It’s a chance to plan smarter, take meaningful breaks, and enjoy time with family without exhausting your annual leave. With UAE national holidays aligning with school breaks and multiple long-weekend opportunities, every public holiday becomes a chance to slow down and reset.
Keep an eye on announcements for the next holiday in UAE, plan early, stay flexible, and make 2026 a year where your time off truly works for you.