UAE Public Holidays 2027: Expected Dates and How They Are Confirmed

The UAE's official public holidays are set by Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, which the government portal u.ae says applies to both the government and private sectors. Two 2027 dates are already fixed by the calendar: New Year's Day on Friday 1 January and National Day on 2 and 3 December. The others follow the Hijri calendar, so their Gregorian dates are confirmed only after the crescent moon is sighted.

The 2027 holidays, with expected dates

The table separates what the law fixes from what is forecast. Expected dates come from Khaleej Times (August 2026) and Gulf News (October 2026), based on astronomical calculations.

HolidayOfficial ruleExpected 2027 dateStatus New Year's Day1 January (1 day)Friday 1 JanuaryFixed Eid Al Fitr1–3 Shawwal, plus 30 Ramadan if the month has 30 days9–11 March, or 9–12 March if Ramadan lasts 30 daysSubject to moon sighting Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha9–12 Dhul Hijjah (4 days)Around Saturday 15 to Tuesday 18 MaySubject to moon sighting Hijri New Year1 Muharram (1 day)Around Sunday 6 JuneSubject to moon sighting Prophet's Birthday12 Rabi Al Awwal (1 day)Around Saturday 14 AugustSubject to moon sighting National Day2–3 December (2 days)Thursday 2 and Friday 3 DecemberFixed

Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February. Gulf News notes that if Ramadan runs to 30 days, Eid Al Fitr could create a six-day break from 9 to 14 March for anyone on a Saturday–Sunday weekend.

How the dates are confirmed

Each Hijri month lasts 29 or 30 days. Crescent-sighting committees meet on the evening of the 29th day of the month. If the new moon is sighted, the next month begins the following day; if not, the current month completes 30 days. That is why Eid dates can shift by a day, and why the length of Ramadan decides whether Eid Al Fitr is a three- or four-day break.

As of late October 2026, the sources we checked describe the Islamic holiday dates for 2027 as expected rather than confirmed. Gulf News reported on 16 October 2026 that the final dates will be confirmed by the relevant UAE government authorities after the crescent sightings.

Can holidays be moved?

Only by a Cabinet decision, and not all of them. Under Article 3 of Cabinet Decision No. 27 of 2024, as quoted on u.ae, a holiday cannot be moved if it falls on another official holiday or on a weekend. Khaleej Times and Gulf News both report that Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha cannot be moved to create longer weekends.

Planning time off

• March: Eid Al Fitr is the first long break of 2027. Keep plans flexible by a day either side.
• May: Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha give an expected four-day break starting on a Saturday.
• December: National Day falls on Thursday and Friday, next to the weekend.

What to check

• Watch for the official announcement before each Islamic holiday, published through the UAE government and reported by WAM.
• Choose refundable or changeable bookings for travel around the Eids.
• Your employer confirms how holidays apply to your rota; the official list covers private-sector staff too.
• Ideas for the days themselves: free family weekend activities in Dubai.

For general information. Details can change; check u.ae or official UAE announcements before relying on them.