Arafah Day, Eid Al Adha to Give UAE Residents Longest Public Holiday

UAE residents can look forward to a potentially long break in May 2026, according to current astronomical predictions. Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha are religiously important to Muslims globally and also provide people in the UAE with one of the year’s longest expected public holiday breaks.

All dates mentioned are based on current astronomical calculations and published forecasts and are subject to change pending official announcements in the UAE.

Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha holidays in the UAE (2026)

Arafah Day on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah is one of Islam's holiest days, and it is observed in the UAE as a public holiday. This is typically followed by the three-day Eid Al Adha festivities.

Arafah Day in 2026 is forecast to fall on Tuesday, May 26, which, along with Eid Al Adha, adds three additional days of public holiday from Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29, based on the currently approved UAE public holiday schedule, subject to official confirmation closer to the date.

Expected 2026 Holiday Schedule

Public holiday dates in the UAE are confirmed by the UAE Cabinet and local authorities and may differ slightly from those in other countries, even though they fall on the same Islamic occasions. According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, the crescent moon marking the start of Dhul Hijjah is forecast to be born on Sunday, May 17. Based on these calculations, Monday, May 18, is likely to mark the first day of Dhul Hijjah. The official public holiday spans from the 9th to the 12th of Dhul Hijjah.

Hajj 2026: expected dates (subject to moon sighting)

The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the central religious duties in Islam. The fifth pillar of the faith, it is a pilgrimage that every Muslim who is physically and financially able is expected to take at least once in their lifetime. Every year in the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, millions of Muslims from all over the world travel to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform a set of holy rites.

For 2026 (1447 AH), Hajj is expected to take place in late May, with the main pilgrimage days likely to fall around May 25 to May 29, subject to official moon sighting in Saudi Arabia.

What is Arafah Day?

Hajj is not just physically arduous; it’s an immensely touching spiritual experience. The process starts with pilgrims entering a state of sacred purity called 'ihram'. Then they carry out ‘tawaf’, circling the Kaaba, and ‘sa’i’, the walk between the two hills of Safa and Marwa.

The 9th of Dhul Hijjah, Arafah Day, is one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar. It is the day in Hajj when most of the pilgrims flock to the plains of Arafat near Mecca, and stand in prayer, reflection, and supplication. This ‘Standing at Arafat’ is so important that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Hajj is Arafah,” meaning if this moment is missed, there would be no Hajj.

At Arafat, the day is strong in prayer and reflection; on its other side is a night under the open sky in Muzdalifah. Pilgrims then head to Mina for the symbolic stoning of the devil. They also perform an animal sacrifice before completing the pilgrimage with the farewell rites.

Planning your Eid Al Adha break in the UAE

These days are first and foremost significant acts of worship for Muslims, and many UAE residents also use the public holiday period for travel and family gatherings.

If you are a parent or an educator, there is great news: The UAE Ministry of Education has announced that the school midterm break will align with Eid Al Adha, running from Monday, May 25 to Friday, May 29. Combined with the surrounding weekends, this grants students and school staff a massive nine-day holiday automatically!

For private and public sector workers, the expected public holidays are Tuesday, May 26 to Friday, May 29. Tack on the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), and this provides a six-day extended vacation. Residents who wish to match the school calendar and maximize their time off can consider taking annual leave on Monday, May 25, to extend the break to a full nine days. This period offers an opportunity for worship, family time, and, for some, regional or international travel.

Residents should verify official holiday dates closer to the time, as they will be determined according to the lunar calendar and official moon-sighting announcements in the UAE.

To stay updated on confirmed public holiday dates and ideas for making the most of the Eid Al Adha break in the UAE, subscribe to Just Dubai for the latest news and guides.