Public holidays in Dubai

What it means for your trip

Public holidays in Dubai are not a general shop closure: government and private offices and banks are closed, but malls, restaurants and tourist attractions stay open, often with festive hours and big crowds. Holidays that fall on a weekend are not moved. The Islamic holidays follow the moon, so their dates are announced shortly before and can shift by a day.

Public holidays in 2026

• Thu 1 January New Year's Day
  One day off for offices and banks. Malls, restaurants and attractions are open; the evening before has big fireworks at Burj Khalifa.
• Thu 19 March – Sun 22 March Eid al-Fitr
  Marks the end of Ramadan, a three to four day break. Offices and banks close; malls and attractions open with festive hours, though some venues close on the first day. The date follows the moon and is announced shortly before.
• Tue 26 May Arafat Day (Arafat Day / Waqfat Arafah)
  The day of the pilgrimage to Mount Arafat, the day before Eid al-Adha. Offices and banks are closed; malls and attractions are open. The date follows the moon and is announced shortly before.
• Wed 27 May – Fri 29 May Eid al-Adha
  The Feast of Sacrifice, a three-day holiday, very busy and family-focused. Offices and banks are closed; malls and attractions open. The date follows the moon and is announced shortly before.
• Mon 15 June Hijri New Year (Ras as-Sanah al-Hijriyah)
  The first day of the Islamic calendar year. Offices are closed; shops and attractions are open. The date follows the moon and is announced shortly before.
• Fri 28 August Prophet's Birthday (Mawlid an-Nabi)
  Marks the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Offices are closed; shops and attractions are open. The date follows the moon and is announced shortly before, and sources can differ by a day.
• Wed 2 December – Thu 3 December National Day (Eid Al Etihad) (Eid Al Etihad)
  Two days marking the union of the emirates in 1971. Offices are closed; malls and attractions are open with festive events and shows, and traffic is heavy.

Public holidays in 2027

• Fri 1 January New Year's Day
  One day off for offices and banks. Malls, restaurants and attractions are open; the evening before has big fireworks at Burj Khalifa.
• Tue 9 March – Thu 11 March Eid al-Fitr
  Marks the end of Ramadan, a three to four day break. Offices and banks close; malls and attractions open with festive hours, though some venues close on the first day. The date follows the moon and is announced shortly before.
• Sat 15 May Arafat Day (Arafat Day / Waqfat Arafah)
  The day of the pilgrimage to Mount Arafat, the day before Eid al-Adha. Offices and banks are closed; malls and attractions are open. The date follows the moon and is announced shortly before.
• Sun 16 May – Tue 18 May Eid al-Adha
  The Feast of Sacrifice, a three-day holiday, very busy and family-focused. Offices and banks are closed; malls and attractions open. The date follows the moon and is announced shortly before.
• Sun 6 June Hijri New Year (Ras as-Sanah al-Hijriyah)
  The first day of the Islamic calendar year. Offices are closed; shops and attractions are open. The date follows the moon and is announced shortly before.
• Sat 14 August Prophet's Birthday (Mawlid an-Nabi)
  Marks the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Offices are closed; shops and attractions are open. The date follows the moon and is announced shortly before, and sources can differ by a day.
• Thu 2 December – Fri 3 December National Day (Eid Al Etihad) (Eid Al Etihad)
  Two days marking the union of the emirates in 1971. Offices are closed; malls and attractions are open with festive events and shows, and traffic is heavy.