We’re already in the latter half of August (how?!), and somehow 2025 is racing toward the finish line like a hyper kid in a candy aisle. If your summer holiday plans are still a hazy wishlist in your Notes app and your suitcase is gathering more dust than air miles, this one’s for you. Another public holiday is heading our way. And it’s a lot sooner than you think. So before you start mentally preparing for that end-of-year National Day break, hold on, because the UAE might just be gifting you a sneaky Friday off next month. Yes, a long weekend! Let’s unravel the details.
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The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday: The Final Long Weekend Of The Summer
Mark your calendars for Friday, September 5. That’s the expected date for the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday, also known as Mawlid Al-Nabi. And yes, it’s a public holiday.
This means a beautiful long weekend could be on the cards – the fourth (and final) one of the year. If confirmed, it’s your chance to squeeze out the very last drops of summer before we officially descend into the pumpkin spice season (okay, not literally… but you get the vibe).
So whether you’re a beach bum, road tripper, staycationer, or “I just need sleep” kind of person, this might be your moment.
But Wait… Why Does It Move Every Year?
You’ve probably noticed: UAE public holidays based on Islamic occasions like this one don’t land on the same Gregorian date each year. That’s because the Islamic (Hijri) calendar follows lunar cycles. Each new month begins with the sighting of a crescent moon, which, frankly, feels a little like waiting for the moon to drop a calendar invite. Each Islamic month lasts either 29 or 30 days, and the full lunar year is 10 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar we’re used to. That’s why Islamic holidays slowly drift backward through the seasons over time.
Case in point? Ramadan 2024 was in winter for the first time in 24 years, and it’ll keep shifting, eventually swinging back into summer.
Also read: Ramadan 2026 Predictions Have Just Been Announced – When Will It Be?
So, Is Friday September 5 Definitely a Day Off?
hort answer: It’s very likely, but not 100% locked in.
The official date of Mawlid Al-Nabi depends on Rabi’ Al-Awwal 12 in the Islamic calendar, which is expected to fall on Friday, September 5 this year.
But here’s where it gets interesting. If Rabi’ Al-Awwal begins on Sunday, August 24, then the 12th day, and therefore the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH), would technically fall on Thursday, September 4.
Now, before you go rescheduling your brunch reservations, here’s the twist: the UAE’s public holiday law allows certain holidays to be shifted to the start or end of the week to create longer weekends. Which means, even if the religious date falls on Thursday, there’s a strong chance the public holiday will be observed on Friday instead – giving us that sweet, sweet long weekend we’re all secretly (okay, not-so-secretly) hoping for.
So basically: the moon decides the date, and the UAE government decides how generous they’re feeling with the calendar. Stay tuned to Gulfbuzz for all the latest updates on the holiday.
A Quick Look at the Islamic Calendar, Just Because It’s Fascinating
For trivia lovers or anyone who’s ever fumbled trying to remember the Islamic months (no shame), here they are in order:
- Muharram
- Safar
- Rabi’ Al-Awwal
- Rabi’ Al-Thani
- Jumada Al-Awwal
- Jumada Al-Thani
- Rajab
- Sha’ban
- Ramadan
- Shawwal
- Dhu Al-Qa’dah
- Dhu Al-Hijjah
All months begin with a new moon sighting, and yes, that’s why holidays like Eid can start on different days in different countries.
Also read: 10 Combo Dishes You Can Get For AED 10 In Dubai This August!
What Can You Do With The Long Weekend
Here’s the magic of a Friday holiday: you don’t have to touch your precious annual leave to score a three-day weekend. And with UAE’s September weather still lingering in warm-but-manageable territory, your options are wide open.
- Mini road trip to the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah
- Pool day and pampering at a fancy resort (spa day, anyone?)
- Early breakfast beach picnic — before the sand burns your feet
- Or… do absolutely nothing and catch up on sleep. That counts too.
What Long Weekend Comes After That?
After September’s long weekend, the next and final public holiday is UAE National Day on December 2 and 3, which, this year, falls on a Tuesday and Wednesday. But here’s the grand deal – the UAE public holiday law allows certain holidays (except Eid) to be moved to the start or end of the week to create longer weekends.
So don’t be surprised if Monday, December 1, replaces one of those days, giving us a lovely four-day weekend. Five days if we’re lucky and November 30 (Commemoration Day) gets rolled in too.
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