UAE Public Holidays 2027: Full List of Expected Dates and Long Weekends to Plan For

TL;DR

The UAE is expected to have 7 official public holidays in 2027 covering major religious and national occasions. New Year’s Day falls on a Friday giving a three-day start to the year. National Day falls on Thursday and Friday 2 to 3 December, creating a natural long weekend. Islamic holiday dates remain subject to official moon sightings. Read the full breakdown below.

Every year, the moment the UAE public holiday calendar becomes clearer, the same thought runs through every resident’s mind.

Which ones fall on a Tuesday or Wednesday? Which ones create a natural bridge to the weekend? And where can I stretch four days of annual leave into ten days off?

2027 gives UAE residents a lot to work with.

Here is the full breakdown of every expected public holiday in 2027 — including dates, what to expect for long weekends, and the leave strategy to maximise each one.

Important Note About Islamic Holiday Dates

Before diving into the schedule, one important caveat that applies every year.

Islamic holidays in the UAE are based on the Hijri calendar, which follows the lunar cycle. The official dates are confirmed only after the sighting of the crescent moon — typically one to two days before the holiday begins. This means the dates listed below for Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Hijri New Year and the Prophet’s Birthday are estimated dates based on astronomical calculations.

Final confirmation comes from the UAE authorities. Always check official government announcements closer to each Islamic holiday before booking non-refundable travel.

UAE Public Holidays 2027 — Full Expected Schedule

New Year’s Day — Friday 1 January 2027

The first public holiday of 2027 lands on a Friday.

Since the UAE weekend is Saturday and Sunday, a Friday public holiday creates an automatic three-day weekend. The first working day of 2027 will be Monday 4 January.

A solid start to the year that requires no leave days to extend.

Eid Al Fitr — Expected 9 to 12 March 2027

Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is one of the two most significant religious celebrations in the Islamic calendar.

The UAE officially recognises three days of public holiday covering the first three days of Shawwal (the month following Ramadan). Depending on whether Ramadan 2027 lasts 29 or 30 days, the holiday is expected to begin around 9 March 2027.

If the dates fall as projected:

Expected break: Tuesday 9 March to Thursday 11 March (or Wednesday 10 March to Friday 12 March).

Combined with the weekend, Eid Al Fitr 2027 could create a five or six-day continuous break — one of the best opportunities in the year for longer distance travel.

Eid Al Fitr dates are fixed once confirmed and cannot be moved by Cabinet decision.

Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha — Expected 15 to 18 May 2027

Eid Al Adha is the UAE’s other major religious holiday and typically delivers the longest official break of the year.

Arafah Day (the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah) is a paid public holiday across both public and private sectors. The three days of Eid Al Adha immediately follow, bringing the total official holiday to four consecutive days.

Expected dates: Saturday 15 May to Tuesday 18 May 2027, pending the official Dhul Hijjah crescent sighting.

With Saturday as the start of the break, the four-day holiday extends naturally from the weekend. Taking Wednesday 19 May as annual leave would create a full seven-day break — one of the most popular leave strategies among UAE residents each year.

Hijri New Year — Expected Saturday 6 June 2027

The Islamic New Year marks the first day of Muharram, the first month of the Hijri calendar. In 2027, the expected date is around Saturday 6 June.

As this falls on a weekend day, the public holiday benefit may be absorbed by the existing Saturday-Sunday break. Subject to moon sighting and any Cabinet transfer decision. Government confirmation will determine whether a weekday substitute is offered.

Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday — Expected Saturday 14 August 2027

The Prophet’s Birthday (Mawlid Al Nabawi) is expected to fall around Saturday 14 August 2027.

Like Hijri New Year, a Saturday landing means the holiday coincides with the existing weekend. Whether a transfer day is granted depends on a Cabinet decision closer to the date.

UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) — Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December 2027

The UAE’s most anticipated fixed holiday falls on Thursday 2 December and Friday 3 December 2027.

Thursday and Friday public holidays create a natural four-day break when combined with the Saturday-Sunday weekend. No annual leave is required to extend this to a full four-day break.

The UAE will mark its 56th National Day in 2027 — and Dubai typically celebrates with fireworks, events and activities across the city throughout the week. Residents in Barsha Heights, Downtown Dubai, and JVC are well-placed for the celebrations.

Commemoration Day (marking the sacrifice of UAE martyrs) is observed on Tuesday 30 November as a public holiday, sitting just before National Day. Taking Wednesday 1 December as annual leave bridges Commemoration Day straight into the National Day break.

2027 Long Weekend Summary

Can UAE Public Holidays Be Moved?

Most UAE public holidays — with the exception of Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha — can be transferred by Cabinet decision to the beginning or end of the week to create a longer break.

This means a Thursday or Tuesday holiday can sometimes be moved to create a four or five-day break. However, if a public holiday falls on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday), it cannot be transferred to a weekday.

Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha dates are set by moon sighting and their public holiday dates are fixed. They cannot be transferred.

Are You Living in the Right Dubai Community to Enjoy These Breaks?

The way you experience long weekends in Dubai depends significantly on where you live.

Communities with access to beach clubs, parks, dining and entertainment within walking or short driving distance make a four-day break feel like a proper getaway without leaving the city. Barsha Heights residents have Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina and JLT within minutes. JVC residents have community parks, pools and a growing café and restaurant scene.

If you are renting or considering buying in Dubai, the team at Pin Homes Real Estate LLC can help you find the right community for your lifestyle.

📞 Call or WhatsApp: +971 58 529 3432
🌐 Explore Dubai properties at pinhomes.ae

Frequently Asked Questions

Are UAE public holiday dates for 2027 confirmed?

New Year’s Day and National Day are fixed. Islamic holiday dates are estimated based on the Hijri calendar and subject to official moon sighting confirmation.

Does the private sector get the same public holidays as the government?

Yes. Under UAE Labour Law, private sector employees are entitled to all gazetted public holidays with full pay.

What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?

For most holidays, if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is not transferred to a weekday. Eid holidays are subject to moon sighting and are not transferable regardless.

What if I work on a public holiday?

UAE Labour Law entitles employees who work on a public holiday to compensatory time off or additional pay as per their employment contract.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Islamic holiday dates listed are estimates based on astronomical calculations and are subject to change following official UAE moon sighting announcements. Always verify confirmed dates through official UAE government channels before making travel or leave arrangements. Pin Homes Real Estate LLC is a RERA-licensed real estate agency in Dubai, UAE.