It’s official! Saudi Arabia announced last night that the crescent moon marking the start of Dhul Hijjah has been sighted. This means the new lunar month starts today, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. For those who follow the Islamic calendar, this sets the dates for two of the most important days of the year. Keep reading to find out when UAE will have public holiday for Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha.
Also read: Predictions For UAE’s 2026 Public Holidays – How Many Long Weekends Will There Be?
What Dates To Mark Off Your Calendar
According to the Hijri calendar this is when UAE will have public holidays in June:
- Arafah Day will be observed on Thursday, June 5. (public holiday starts)
- Eid Al Adha will begin on Friday, June 6 and end on Sunday, June 8. (public holiday ends)
Unlike the Gregorian calendar that most of us use every day, the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, meaning key dates shift by about 11 days earlier each year. So, moon sightings are crucial for determining when major Islamic events like Eid actually take place.
How To Turn It Into A 9-Day Holiday
Now that we know when Arafah Day will begin, you can take this info and utilise your PTO days in a smart enough way to unlock yourself a 9-day Eid Al Adha holiday! You’ll just need to take these days off:
- Monday, June 2
- Tuesday, June 3
- Wednesday, June 4
With these 3 days off with the help of your PTO, paired with the weekend before hand (Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1) you’ll get to enjoy a sweet break from Saturday, May 31 till Sunday, June 8.
The Perfect Vacation Opportunity
Whether you’re planning a trip abroad or just some downtime with loved ones, this is your chance to make the most of your leave days. And with Eid being one of the most celebrated times of the year, it’s the perfect excuse to start planning something special. Not only that but some of UAE and the GCC’s top airlines are even having incredible last-minute Eid travel offers that you cannot skip on!
But, no matter how you spend it, Eid Mubarak in advance!
You may also like: Eid Al Adha Travel Offers Alert! Emirates, Saudia, Flydubai & Air Arabia Flights Starting From AED 129
