In the United Arab Emirates, employees are entitled to a number of public holidays each year, commemorating various religious, national, and other events. Residents planning their vacation for 2027 can make more informed decisions regarding their time off by knowing the probable dates of these holidays.
It is important to note that the dates of Islamic (Hijri) holidays depend on the sighting of the new moon. Each Hijri month lasts either 29 or 30 days. Moon-sighting committees convene on the 29th day of each Hijri month; if the moon is sighted, the new month begins the following day, otherwise, the Hijri month concludes with 30 days. These calculations are particularly crucial concerning the holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.
UAE Public Holidays in 2027
Before listing the probable dates for public holidays, several points should be noted. Most public holidays may be postponed if the UAE Cabinet decides to do so, allowing residents to enjoy a longer break. The postponement can occur at the beginning or end of the week.
Exceptions to the Postponement Rule
The postponement rule does not apply to Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as the dates of both holidays are fixed. Furthermore, according to Article 3 of Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 on public holidays in the country, a public holiday cannot be moved to another day if it coincides with another public holiday.
If a public holiday falls on an official weekend (Saturday or Sunday in the UAE), it also cannot be postponed. In 2027, some public holidays are expected to fall on weekends. It is worth noting that the Gregorian year in the UAE begins with a public holiday.
The first day of the Gregorian year, January 1, 2027, is a public holiday, providing residents with a three-day weekend. The first working day of the year will be Monday, January 4.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and grants UAE residents three days of official leave (the first three days of the Islamic month of Shawwal). According to astronomical calculations, Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on Monday, February 8. If the new moon of Shawwal is not sighted on the evening of the 29th day of Ramadan, and the fasting month extends to 30 days, the 30th day of Ramadan will also be a public holiday and added to the Eid holiday, granting residents a four-day break.
Holiday Dates Depending on Ramadan's Duration
If Ramadan lasts 29 days, the holiday dates in 2027 will be: Tuesday, March 9; Wednesday, March 10; Thursday, March 11.
If Ramadan lasts 30 days, the holidays will run from Tuesday, March 9 to Friday, March 12. In this case, an additional public holiday combined with the weekend will give residents a six-day break.
Arafat Day, observed on the ninth day of the Hijri month of Dhu al-Hijjah every year, is considered one of the holiest days in Islam and is recognized as a public holiday in the UAE. This is followed by Eid al-Adha, which provides another three days of leave (from the 10th to the 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah).
The probable dates for this holiday are from Saturday, May 15 to Tuesday, May 18 (four days), although the dates remain dependent on the official sighting of the new moon of Dhu al-Hijjah.
The Islamic New Year is celebrated on the first day of Muharram. The probable date is Sunday, June 6, and it depends on moon sighting.
Muslims celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad on the 12th day of the Hijri month of Rabi' al-Awwal every year. The probable date in 2027 is Saturday, August 14, and this also depends on moon sighting.
In 2027, the UAE will celebrate its 56th National Day with two public holidays: December 2 and 3 (Thursday and Friday). This will provide a four-day weekend from Thursday, December 2 to Sunday, December 5.
For those planning international travel or simply needing a break, there are ways to extend public holidays. For example, applying for five days off for the New Year at the beginning of 2027 will double the break, resulting in a ten-day vacation early in the year.
In the case of Eid al-Fitr, taking leave on Monday, March 8, will result in a six-day vacation if Ramadan lasts 29 days, or a nine-day break if it lasts 30 days (from Saturday, March 6 to Sunday, March 14).
Additionally, if employees take off Wednesday, May 19, Thursday, May 20, and Friday, May 21, during the Arafat and Eid al-Adha period, this will turn into a nine-day vacation (from Saturday, May 15 to Sunday, May 23).
Finally, for Eid Al Ittihad, which is expected to be a long four-day break, taking off Wednesday, December 1, will extend the break to five days.
In the UAE, an employee is entitled to paid official leave for all public holidays according to the advisory opinion of the relevant local authority or the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. However, employers may require employees to work on these holidays. As previously reported by Khaleej Times, in such cases, employees are entitled to compensatory leave or salary for regular working days plus an additional salary of no less than 50% of the basic rate for days worked on holidays. This complies with Article 28(2) of UAE Labour Law. Residents are advised to plan their vacations in advance to secure approval and find the best deals on hotels and flights.
