So you can start plotting those long weekends!
Let’s be honest—there’s nothing quite like the thrill of seeing a public holiday pop up on your calendar. Whether you’re dreaming of a quick getaway, some quality couch time, or just a break from the 9-to-5 grind, we’ve got good news: 2025 is packed with national days off, and a few of them are juicy long weekends.
While exact dates for some holidays hinge on moon sightings, the official calendar gives us a solid sneak peek into when we can expect those blessed out-of-office moments. Spoiler alert: if you play your annual leave cards right, you could stretch 14 days into 42. Yes, really.
Here’s the rundown so you can start mapping your escapes:
Confirmed & Predicted UAE Public Holidays in 2025
- New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1
- Eid Al Fitr – Predicted: Sunday, March 30 to Tuesday, April 1
- Arafat Day – Predicted: Thursday, June 5
- Eid Al Adha – Predicted: Friday, June 6 to Sunday, June 8
- Islamic New Year – Predicted: Thursday, June 26
- Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday – Predicted: Friday, September 5
- UAE National Day – Tuesday, December 2 & Wednesday, December 3
What This Means for Your 2025 Plans
- March–April: A much-needed break right after Ramadan, courtesy of Eid Al Fitr. Time to book that desert staycation or beach resort escape.
- June: The big one. Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha line up for what’s expected to be a four-day weekend. Start mentally packing.
- Summer Bonus: Islamic New Year could gift us a long weekend in late June. More chill, less sweat.
- End-of-Year Wind-Down: National Day hits midweek, offering the perfect excuse to disappear for a few days in early December.
Pro Tip: Stack Your Leave Like a Genius
Got 14 days of annual leave to play with? Time it around the holidays above, and you could walk away with 6 weeks of total time off. Yes, your out-of-office reply might become legendary.
A Note on UAE Public Holiday Laws
The Cabinet made it official under Resolution No. 27 of 2024: if a public holiday falls on a weekend, the government can shift it to a weekday (except for Eid holidays). So that Friday or Monday off? Totally on the cards if the stars align.
And just in case you’re wondering—these holidays apply to both the public and private sectors. Local governments can also sprinkle in extras if they feel generous.
