With less than a month to go, it’s time to mark your calendar for the next UAE public holiday! Consider this your guide to everything you need to know about Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha. From when it is, to how many days off we’ll have and I’ll even spill how you can score a much longer break. I’ve got all the details you want to know, so keep reading to find out more.
Also read: Predictions For UAE’s 2026 Public Holidays – How Many Long Weekends Will There Be?
When Will Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha Fall This Year?
The predicted dates for 2025 are:
- Thursday, June 5 – Arafat Day
- Friday, June 6 – Eid Al Adha (Day 1)
- Saturday, June 7 – Eid Al Adha (Day 2) (Weekend)
- Sunday, June 8 – Eid Al Adha (Day 3) (Weekend)
These dates are based on the lunar calendar and are subject to moon sighting confirmation. However, the UAE has confirmed that there will be a 4-day holiday for the occasions. So, with these dates in mind you can tentatively plan for a long weekend from Thursday to Sunday.
What Does It Mean That Eid Al Adha Is On A weekend?
Because this year, two days of the Eid land on the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) many residents are left wondering if this means we will get extra time off during the week or on a different weekend. While UAE public holiday laws were updated to allow certain holidays to shift when they fall on a Saturday or Sunday, Eid holidays are a strict exception. This means:
- Eid Al Adha holidays will not be moved to the week, even though they fall on the weekend.
- No additional weekdays will be granted in lieu of lost weekend days.
So unfortunately, the weekend overlap doesn’t mean extra time off. But don’t worry, there’s still a way to extend your break…
Hack Your Way To A 9-Day Break With Just A Few PTO Days
If you’re clever with your annual leave, you can turn this 4-day weekend into a 9-day holiday! Here’s how:
- Arafat Day: Thursday, June 5
- Eid Al Adha: Friday, June 6 – Sunday, June 8
- Hack: Take leave on Monday, June 2, Tuesday, June 3, and Wednesday, June 4
- Result: You get a break from Saturday, May 31 to Sunday, June 8 using only 3 days of PTO!
…And Incase It Falls On Friday:
- Arafat Day: Friday, June 6
- Eid Al Adha: Saturday, June 7 – Monday, June 9
- Hack: Take leave on Monday, June 2, Tuesday, June 3, Wednesday, June 4, and Thursday, June 5
- Result: You get a 9-day break with just 4 PTO days!
Either way, this could be the perfect window to plan your dream summer holiday with 9 days at your disposal.
Any Chance of More Holidays In The Future?
While Eid Al Adha dates are fixed and can’t be shifted, other holidays throughout the year can be moved to extend weekends:
- Islamic New Year
- Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (PBUH)
- UAE National Day
Plus, with the new cabinet resolution each emirate has the power to declare its own public holidays. So who knows? Dubai might just surprise you with a bonus day off!
Stay Updated
Don’t forget, official confirmation of the dates will only be announced much closer to the holiday as it is based on moon sightings. So keep your eyes on Gulf Buzz for the latest updates. In the meantime, get your PTO requests in early and start planning that well-deserved Eid Al Adha break!
