Is Christmas a public holiday in the UAE? Discover Public Holiday Rules, School Breaks & UAE Church Services

Dubai 22 DEC 2025

Is Christmas a public holiday in the UAE? Quick answer: No, Christmas (December 25) is not a public holiday in the UAE, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah.

Is Christmas a public holiday in the UAE? Why Many People Ask This Every Year

With malls decorated, hotels hosting festive brunches, and churches holding packed services, many residents wonder:
“Is Christmas a public holiday in the UAE?”

Under UAE federal law, public holidays are limited to Islamic religious occasions, UAE National Day, and New Year’s Day. Christmas is respected and celebrated culturally and religiously, but it is not a statutory holiday.

Despite this, Christmas is widely observed across the country through school winter holidays, church services, and festive events, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to religious tolerance.

Official UAE Public Holidays (Verified)

Fixed Holidays

• New Year’s Day – January 1
• UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) – December 2–3

Islamic Holidays (Subject to Moon Sighting)

• Eid Al Fitr
• Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha
• Hijri (Islamic) New Year
• Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday

Christmas is not included in the official UAE public holiday calendar.

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Are Schools Closed During Christmas in the UAE?

Yes. While Christmas Day itself is not a public holiday, schools across all seven Emirates close for winter break, typically from early December to early January. This break includes both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Christmas vs New Year in the UAE

How Christmas Is Celebrated Across the UAE

• Festive decorations in malls and hotels
• Christmas brunches and seasonal markets
• Licensed church services across all Emirates
• Family and community gatherings

Christmas by Emirate: Church Lists & Timings

Note: Timings are based on verified parish schedules and may vary slightly each year. Always check official church announcements before attending.

Dubai

Public holiday status: Not a public holiday

St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Oud Metha

CONTACT: WEBSITE

Christmas Eve: 3:30pm, 5:00pm (French), 7:00pm, 9:00pm (Arabic), 12:00am Midnight Mass

Christmas Day: 5:30am, 7:00am, 8:30am, 10:00am, 11:30am (Arabic), afternoon & evening Masses

Holy Trinity Church – Oud Metha

Christmas Eve: 11:00pm Vigil Mass
Christmas Day: 8:00am & 9:30am

St. Francis of Assisi Church – Jebel Ali

Multiple services from morning to midnight in English, Arabic, Malayalam, Tamil, Tagalog, Korean, and other languages.

Abu Dhabi

Public holiday status: Not a public holiday

St. Joseph’s Cathedral – Al Mushrif

CONTACT: WEBSITE

Christmas Eve: 4:30pm, 6:00pm, 8:00pm, 10:00pm, 12:00am Midnight Mass

Christmas Day: Services from 4:00am throughout the day in English, Arabic, Malayalam, Konkani, Tagalog, Tamil, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, and Urdu

St. Paul’s Church – Mussafah

Evening and midnight Mass on Christmas Eve; multiple morning and afternoon services on Christmas Day.

St. Francis Church – Abrahamic Family House

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services are announced annually.

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Sharjah

Public holiday status: Not a public holiday

St. Michael’s Catholic Church – Al Yarmook

CONTACT: WEBSITE

Christmas Eve: 5:30pm, 7:00pm (English), 8:15pm (Malayalam), 10:00pm (Arabic), 11:55pm Vigil Mass

Christmas Day: Services from 3:00am in English, Malayalam, Konkani, Tagalog, Sinhalese, Marathi, and Urdu

St. Philip the Apostle Russian Orthodox Church

Services follow the Orthodox calendar and parish announcements.

Ajman

Ajman Catholics typically attend churches in nearby emirates like the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jebel Ali (Dubai) or St. Mary’s (also Dubai), as the UAE has Catholic churches allowing diverse worship.

Christmas Eve evening Masses and Midnight Mass; Christmas Day morning and evening services.

Usually people in Ajman go to St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jebel Ali (Dubai)

Ras Al Khaimah

St. Anthony of Padua Church

Christmas Eve: 5:00pm (Arabic), 7:30pm (Sinhalese), 10:30pm (English), 12:00am (Malayalam)

Christmas Day: 7:30am (English) and evening services

Umm Al Quwain

No major standalone church. Residents usually attend services in Ajman or Sharjah.

Fujairah

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church

Christmas Eve: 5:30pm (Malayalam), 7:00pm & 8:30pm (English)

Christmas Day: 9:00am (English) and evening services in Malayalam and Tagalog

📌 Best Tips for Attending Christmas Services in the UAE

✔ Arrive early, especially for midnight Mass. Churches fill up quickly due to high attendance.
✔ Check official parish websites or social media close to Christmas Day for any updated 2025 timings.
✔ Different languages and halls may have simultaneous services; signage at entrances usually helps guide attendees.

Notes from the UAE residents

• Christmas Eve services (Dec 25) typically run from afternoon to midnight, with popular midnight Masses at main Catholic churches.
• Christmas Day services (Dec 25) often begin very early in the morning (around 3–5 am) and run throughout the afternoon and into the evening to accommodate large, multilingual congregations.
• Many churches offer Mass in multiple languages, including English, Arabic, Malayalam, Tagalog, Tamil, Konkani, Sinhalese, Spanish, French, and more.

FAQs

Is Christmas a public holiday in the UAE, especially in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah?
No. Christmas is not a public holiday in any UAE emirate.

Are schools closed during Christmas in the UAE?
Yes. Schools close nationwide for the winter break.

Can Christians attend Mass legally during Christmas in the UAE?
Yes. Licensed churches across the UAE hold Christmas services.

Is New Year’s Day a public holiday in the UAE?
Yes. January 1 is a nationwide public holiday.

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