Most UAE public holidays can be shifted if the Cabinet approves a decision to extend the break and give residents longer weekends.
Employees in the UAE are entitled to several public holidays throughout the year, covering religious, national and other significant occasions. For residents planning their time off in 2027, knowing the expected holiday dates can help with making travel and holiday plans in advance.
However, many of the UAE’s public holidays follow the Islamic Hijri calendar and their exact dates depend on the sighting of the crescent moon. Hijri months are either 29 or 30 days long, with crescent-sighting committees meeting on the 29th day of each month. If the new moon is sighted, the following day marks the start of a new month; otherwise, the current month continues for another day.
This lunar-based system is particularly significant when determining the dates of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr, among other Islamic occasions.
Before looking at the expected UAE public holiday dates for 2027, here are a few important points to keep in mind:
Are public holidays in the UAE transferable?
Yes. Most public holidays can be moved if the UAE Cabinet decides to transfer them, allowing residents to enjoy longer breaks. A holiday may be shifted to the beginning or end of the working week.
What are the exceptions?
The transfer rule does not apply to Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, as the dates of these religious holidays are determined by the Islamic calendar and official moon sighting.
What happens if two public holidays coincide?
Under Article 3 of Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024 on Public Holidays in the UAE, a public holiday cannot be moved to another day if it coincides with another public holiday.
What if a public holiday falls on the weekend?
Public holidays that fall on an official weekend — Saturday or Sunday in the UAE — cannot be transferred to another day. Several public holidays in 2027 are expected to fall on weekends.
UAE public holidays in 2027
New Year’s Day: 1 day
The UAE begins the Gregorian calendar year with a public holiday.
Holiday date: Friday, January 1, 2027.
This will give residents a three-day weekend, with the first working day of the year falling on Monday, January 4.
Eid Al Fitr: 3 or 4 days
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and provides three official public holidays covering the first three days of Shawwal.
Based on astronomical calculations, Ramadan in 2027 is expected to begin on Monday, February 8.
If the Shawwal crescent is not sighted on the evening of Ramadan 29 and the fasting month completes 30 days, Ramadan 30 will also be a public holiday, extending the Eid break to four days.
Holiday dates:
If Ramadan lasts 29 days:
- Tuesday, March 9
- Wednesday, March 10
- Thursday, March 11
If Ramadan lasts 30 days:
- Tuesday, March 9 to Friday, March 12
In the latter case, the four-day holiday combined with the weekend would give residents a six-day break.
Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha: 4 days
Arafah Day, observed on the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah, is one of the holiest days in Islam and is a public holiday in the UAE. It is followed by Eid Al Adha, which provides three additional days of holiday, covering Dhul Hijjah 10 to 12.
Expected holiday dates: Saturday, May 15 to Tuesday, May 18, subject to the official sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent.
Hijri New Year: 1 day
The Islamic New Year is observed on the first day of Muharram.
Expected holiday date: Sunday, June 6, subject to moon sighting.
Prophet’s Birthday: 1 day
Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is traditionally observed on the 12th day of Rabi Al Awwal.
Expected holiday date: Saturday, August 14, subject to moon sighting.
Eid Al Etihad: 2 days
The UAE will mark its 56th National Day, known as Eid Al Etihad, with a two-day public holiday in 2027.
Holiday dates: Thursday, December 2 and Friday, December 3.
Combined with the weekend, this is expected to give residents a four-day break from Thursday, December 2 to Sunday, December 5.
Tips to extend public holidays in 2027
For those planning overseas trips or looking to make the most of their time off, strategically applying for annual leave can help turn public holidays into longer breaks.
For New Year’s Day, taking five days of annual leave at the start of 2027 could double the break, giving residents a 10-day holiday.
For Eid Al Fitr, taking Monday, March 8 off could create a six-day break if Ramadan lasts 29 days. If Ramadan completes 30 days, the same leave day could result in a nine-day break from Saturday, March 6 to Sunday, March 14.
For Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha, taking Wednesday, May 19, Thursday, May 20 and Friday, May 21 as annual leave could turn the four-day public holiday into a nine-day break, running from Saturday, May 15 to Sunday, May 23.
For Eid Al Etihad, taking Wednesday, December 1 off could extend the expected four-day holiday to five days.
Can employers ask employees to work on public holidays?
Employees in the UAE are generally entitled to paid leave on official public holidays, in accordance with announcements by the relevant authorities or the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. However, employers may require employees to work on public holidays when necessary.
Employees who work on a public holiday are entitled to either a compensatory day off or their normal pay plus an additional payment of at least 50 per cent of their basic salary for the day worked, in accordance with Article 28(2) of the UAE Employment Law.
With residents already looking ahead to 2027, planning annual leave early can help secure approvals while also making it easier to find favourable hotel and flight rates.E public holiday dates for 2027, here are a few important points to keep in mind:
