UAE announces Eid Al Etihad holidays: How residents can turn the final public holiday of the year into a longer break.
As the year draws to a close, residents are turning their attention to one of the most welcome forms of holiday planning — working out how to make the most of the final public holiday of the year.
The UAE’s National Day celebrations, known as Eid Al Etihad, take place on December 2, marking the day the seven emirates came together to form the Union.
Whether residents want to enjoy the cooler weather outdoors or take a short getaway to a nearby destination, extending the holiday does not have to be complicated. Taking up to two days of annual leave could turn the public holiday into a break of up to nine days. Here’s how:
How public sector employees can get a nine-day break
On Friday, the UAE announced that public sector employees would receive December 2, 3 and 4 as paid holidays. Combined with the weekend on December 5 and 6, this gives government employees a five-day break.
Those looking to extend their time off can take annual leave on November 30 and December 1. This would create a nine-day holiday, running from Saturday, November 28, to Sunday, December 6.
How private sector employees can get a five-day break
Under the Cabinet’s holiday calendar, private sector employees will receive two paid days off on December 2 and 3.
As the holidays fall on Wednesday and Thursday, employees following a Saturday-Sunday weekend will not automatically get an extended break.
Last year, the UAE transferred its Eid Al Etihad public holiday dates for the first time, allowing residents to enjoy an extended four-day weekend for National Day.
In 2025, the holidays were initially scheduled for December 2 and 3, falling on Tuesday and Wednesday, but were officially moved to December 1 and 2, Monday and Tuesday. This gave residents following a Saturday-Sunday weekend time off from November 29 to December 2.
This year, private sector employees can still turn the holiday into a five-day break by taking annual leave on Friday, December 4. With the weekend falling on December 5 and 6, this would give them five consecutive days off, from Wednesday, December 2, to Sunday, December 6.
