When Is the Next UAE Public Holiday in 2026? Dates Residents Should Know
By Michelle
UAE residents have completed the Hijri New Year holiday, which was observed on **Monday, June 15, 2026**.
The next expected public holiday is the **birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)**, followed later in the year by the UAE’s two-day **Eid Al Etihad** holiday.
Here are the remaining UAE public holidays expected in 2026 and what residents should know before planning travel or annual leave.
## What is the next UAE public holiday?
The next public holiday is expected to mark the **birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)**.
The occasion falls on **12 Rabi Al Awwal** in the Islamic calendar and is recognised as a one-day public holiday for UAE government and private-sector employees.
Current calendar estimates place it around **Tuesday, August 25, 2026**. However, the final Gregorian date remains subject to confirmation by UAE authorities because Islamic occasions follow the lunar calendar.
Residents should wait for announcements from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources before confirming travel or leave plans.
## Could the August holiday be moved?
UAE holiday regulations allow certain public holidays, except Eid holidays, to be transferred to the beginning or end of the working week through a Cabinet decision.
This means the Prophet’s Birthday holiday could potentially be moved to create a more convenient break, but this is not automatic.
The holiday date and any transfer decision will be announced closer to the occasion.
## Will public and private-sector employees receive the holiday?
The UAE’s official public holiday framework applies to both public and private-sector employees.
Once the date is formally announced, eligible private-sector workers should receive a paid public holiday in accordance with UAE Labour Law. Federal government employees will receive the holiday based on the circular issued by the relevant authority.
Local government departments may issue their own circulars in line with the national announcement.
## What is Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday?
The holiday marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on 12 Rabi Al Awwal.
It is generally observed as a quiet religious occasion centred around reflection, prayer, community gatherings and learning about the Prophet’s life and teachings.
Celebrations and observances may differ between communities, but it is not normally associated with the large public festivities seen during Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha or Eid Al Etihad.
## The final public holiday of 2026: Eid Al Etihad
After the Prophet’s Birthday, the remaining major public holiday will be **Eid Al Etihad**, formerly widely known as UAE National Day.
The holiday is observed on:
**Wednesday, December 2, 2026**
**Thursday, December 3, 2026**
Unlike Islamic holidays, Eid Al Etihad falls on fixed Gregorian dates.
The occasion marks the establishment of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 and is celebrated with official ceremonies, fireworks, concerts, cultural performances, decorations and community activities across all seven emirates.
## Could Eid Al Etihad create a longer break?
The two-day holiday falls on Wednesday and Thursday in 2026.
Employees who take annual leave on Friday, December 4, and normally have Saturday and Sunday off could potentially create a five-day break from Wednesday to Sunday.
However, work schedules vary between government entities, private companies and industries, so employees should confirm leave arrangements with their employer before booking travel.
## Remaining UAE public holidays in 2026
The remaining expected public holiday schedule is:
**Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday:** Expected around August 25, subject to official confirmation.
**Eid Al Etihad:** December 2 and 3.
The Prophet’s Birthday date may change based on the Islamic calendar and official UAE announcements. Eid Al Etihad follows fixed dates.
## Can holidays that fall on weekends be carried forward?
Under the UAE’s public holiday framework, a holiday that falls on another public holiday or weekend is generally not automatically compensated with an additional day.
Certain non-Eid holidays may be transferred to the beginning or end of the week by Cabinet decision, but residents should not assume this will happen unless officially announced.
Local governments may also approve additional holidays for their own departments on special occasions.
## How residents can plan ahead
Residents planning trips around the August holiday should avoid making non-refundable bookings until the official date is announced.
For Eid Al Etihad, the fixed December dates make advance planning easier. Flights, hotels and staycations may become more expensive as the holiday approaches, especially at popular UAE and regional destinations.
Employees hoping to extend either break should submit annual-leave requests early and check their company’s working-week policy.
## Where to check official holiday announcements
Private-sector employees should follow updates from the [Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation](https://www.mohre.gov.ae/).
Federal government employees should monitor the [Federal Authority for Government Human Resources](https://www.fahr.gov.ae/).
Residents can also review the UAE’s official public holiday framework through the [UAE Government Portal](https://u.ae/) and [UAE Legislation](https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/).
## Why this matters
Knowing the remaining UAE public holidays helps residents plan annual leave, family activities, short holidays and travel expenses more effectively.
The next expected break will mark Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday around late August, while the final public holiday period of the year will take place on December 2 and 3 for Eid Al Etihad.
Because Islamic dates remain subject to official confirmation, residents should always check government announcements before finalising plans.
## Source Credits
Information source/resource owners: UAE Government Portal, UAE Legislation, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Federal Authority for Government Human Resources and Gulf News.
## Image Credits
Image credit/resource owners: Experience Abu Dhabi, Ministry of Foreign Affairs UAE and Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.