Can we all just take a minute to acknowledge that 2026 is less than 2 months away? But setting that looming thought aside, now makes the perfect time to start plotting out those long breaks on your calendar. From road trips to beachside staycays, scenic getaways and even ‘do-nothing, just sleep’ time, planning ahead will make your 2026 much more hassle-free. I have all the details of when all the long weekends are, plus a little hack you can use to make them longer. Keep reading for all the important details.
Also read: 2026 Holiday Hacks – Turn 10 Days Of PTO Into 36 Days Of Vacation!
Your 2026 Holiday Calendar
In 2026, you can expect around 12 official public holidays in the UAE. While some dates are fixed (like New Year’s Day), others depend on moon sightings, such as Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. The exact dates will be confirmed closer to the time, but here’s what’s predicted so far:
- January 1: New Year’s Day
- Shawwal 1–3: Eid Al Fitr
- Dhu Al Hijjah 9: Arafat Day
- Dhu Al Hijjah 10–12: Eid Al Adha
- Muharram 1: Islamic New Year
- Rabi Al Awwal 12: Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday
- December 2–3: UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad)
Now, let’s talk about which holidays the calendar is blessing us with built-in long weekends.
1. Eid Al Fitr 2026
- Expected Dates: Friday, March 20 – Sunday, March 22, 2026
- For An Extend Break Take Leave On: Thursday, March 19 and Monday, March 23 (2 PTO)
- Your Holiday: Thursday, March 19 – Monday, March 23, 2026
2. Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha 2026
- Expected Dates: Tuesday, May 26 – Friday, May 29, 2026
- For An Extended Break Take Leave On: Monday, May 25 (1 PTO)
- Your Holiday: Saturday, May 23 – Sunday, May 31, 2026
3. Islamic New Year – A Mid-Year Breather (4 Days Off)
- Expected Date: Monday, June 15 (officially may shift to Tuesday, June 16)
- Take Leave On: Friday, June 12 (1 PTO)
- Your Holiday: Friday, June 12 – Monday, June 15, 2026
4. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday – A Peaceful 5-Day Pause
- Expected Date: Monday, August 24 (may shift to Tuesday, August 25)
- Take Leave On: Friday, August 21 and Tuesday, August 25 (2 PTO)
- Your Holiday: Friday, August 21 – Tuesday, August 25, 2026
How UAE Public Holidays Are Determined
Public holidays in the UAE fall into two main categories:
- Fixed Gregorian holidays: These stay on the same date each year (like New Year’s Day or National Day).
- Lunar-based Islamic holidays: These shift each year, depending on the Hijri calendar and the moon’s sighting. So dates for Eid and other religious holidays can vary slightly.
A few rules to remember:
- Holidays might occasionally be moved to the start or end of a week to create longer weekends (except for Eid holidays).
- If a holiday falls on a weekend, it won’t roll over to the next weekday.
- Sometimes, local authorities may announce extra holidays for special occasions. So keep your eyes peeled!
Plan Smart, Play Hard
2026’s public holiday calendar is already being very generous to us next year with great long weekend, but with a little smart PTO strategy, 2026 could easily become your best travel year yet.
So start marking those dates, and get ready for a year full of leisurely breaks.
