If you’ve already started mentally calculating your next long weekend, you’re not alone! 2026 is shaping up to be a pretty rewarding year for UAE residents, with a few perfectly placed breaks still ahead, including one seriously long one. Thanks to updated public holiday rules, there’s even more flexibility that helps residents stretch their time away from work. Want to make the most of what’s left? Keep scrolling for all the details.
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Remaining Long Weekends For 2026
While some public holiday dates are still subject to confirmation, especially those tied to the Islamic Hijri calendar, early predictions give us a solid idea of what’s coming. So here’s what to expect:
1. First Long Weekend: Eid Al Adha
Eid Al Adha, one of the most significant Islamic festivals, marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and is always accompanied by a multi-day public holiday in the UAE. Current projections suggest that Dhu Al Hijjah could begin around Monday, 18 May. If that timeline holds, Arafat Day would fall on Tuesday, 26 May, followed by Eid Al Adha celebrations from Wednesday, 27 May, to Friday, 29 May. If you factor in the weekend, this could turn into a six-day break, easily the longest stretch of time off in 2026.
2. Second Long Weekend: Islamic New Year
The Islamic New Year, which marks the first day of Muharram, is another public holiday that can be shifted to create a long weekend. Predictions currently place it on Tuesday, 16 June. If authorities decide to move the day off to Monday, 15 June, residents could enjoy a neat three-day weekend.
3. Third Long Weekend: Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday
Residents can get another potential long weekend, which comes with the observance of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday. Based on current estimates, this holiday is expected to fall on Tuesday, 25 August. Now, if that also shifts to Monday, 24 August, it would once again give residents a three-day weekend to look forward to!
Additional Possible UAE Long Weekends In 2026
As the updated holiday law is now in effect, there’s still some uncertainty around how certain dates may be adjusted. This especially applies to fixed national holidays.
UAE National Day
The UAE officially celebrates the National Day, also known as Eid Al Etihad, on 2 – 3 December each year to mark the country’s formation. In 2026, these dates fall on Wednesday and Thursday. There’s a possibility that authorities could extend the break to Friday, 4 December, creating a five-day weekend.
Another option could be shifting the holiday earlier in the week for an even longer stretch. This is unlikely, since 2 December is the official anniversary.
Important Things To Keep In Mind
- Islamic holiday dates depend on moon sightings, so final confirmations will come closer to the time
- The updated public holiday law allows certain holidays to shift to the start or end of the week
- Not all holidays are guaranteed to be extended. However, there is much more flexibility compared to previous years
With a six-day break potentially on the cards and a couple of three-day weekends yet to come, there’s plenty of time to plan your escapes, staycations, or just some well-earned bed-rot time. Keep hitting the refresh button on the Gulf Buzz website so that, when it comes to days off, you’ll be first to know!
Since We’re On The Topic Of Leaves & Holidays, Here Are Private Sector Rules & Eligibility For Taking Leave For Hajj 2026
