Public sector, private sector, and schools: who will get the longest Eid holiday?
Dubai: Millions of UAE residents are preparing to celebrate Eid Al Adha 2026, which is expected to bring the longest public holiday of the year.
Eid Al Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu Al Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. In 2026, Arafat Day will fall on Tuesday, May 26, followed by Eid Al Adha on Wednesday, May 27. Both are official public holidays in the UAE.
While the official paid break spans four to five days, residents could potentially enjoy up to nine consecutive days off by strategically combining the holidays with annual leave. Here is a breakdown of the Eid Al Adha holiday schedule across schools, the public sector, and the private sector in the UAE.
Private sector Eid Al Adha holiday in UAE
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has announced a four-day paid holiday for private sector employees across the UAE in observance of Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha.
Holiday start date: Tuesday, May 26 (Arafat Day)
Holiday end date: Friday, May 29
Return to work: Monday, June 1
Total days off: For private sector employees who already observe a standard Saturday–Sunday weekend, this results in a six-day consecutive break (Tuesday through Sunday).
Public sector Eid Al Adha holiday in UAE
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) has announced a five-day paid holiday for public sector and federal government employees.
Holiday start date: Monday, May 25
Holiday end date: Friday, May 29
Return to work: Monday, June 1
When combined with the weekends before and after the official break (May 23–24 and May 30–31), government employees will enjoy a nine-day holiday.
Eid Al Adha school holiday in UAE
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has confirmed that the third academic term’s midterm break will align with the Eid Al Adha holidays.
For students, teachers, and administrative staff at public schools, the break will run from Monday, May 25 to Friday, May 29. Combined with surrounding weekends, schools will also enjoy a nine-day break, with classes resuming on Monday, June 1.
According to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) unified academic calendar, private educational institutions in Dubai will also observe the Eid Al Adha holiday from Monday, May 25 to Friday, May 29, with classes resuming on Monday, June 1.
Eid holiday “hack”: How private sector workers can get nine days off
Private sector employees can potentially extend their break to match the nine-day public sector holiday by planning ahead and using just one day of annual leave.
Here’s how the nine-day break works:
- Saturday, May 23 – Weekend
- Sunday, May 24 – Weekend
- Monday, May 25 – Take 1 day of annual leave
- Tuesday, May 26 – Arafah Day (official public holiday)
- Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29 – Eid Al Adha holidays
- Saturday, May 30 to Sunday, May 31 – Weekend
By applying this strategy, employees can enjoy a nine-day consecutive break while using only one day of annual leave.
Note: Maximising annual leave can be effective, but it depends on your employment terms. The key factors are how your leave is calculated and your company’s approval process.
