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UAE Holidays 2027: List of Expected Public Breaks and Long Weekends

August 11, 2026 12:57 PM

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Published: Tuesday, 11 August 2026 , 12:33 pm| Dubai | Edited: Tuesday, 11 August 2026 , at 12:57 pm

Planning for UAE Holidays 2027 allows employees and families across the Emirates to optimize their time off for long trips or personal leisure. With multiple potential long breaks on the horizon, preparing early guarantees better travel deals and smooth leave approvals. Read on to learn all about the anticipated dates and smart strategies for your time off.

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UAE Holidays 2027: Complete Guide to Public Holidays and Extended Weekends

An essential guide to how Islamic moon sightings determine actual public holiday dates.

A major portion of UAE public holidays 2027 relies on the Hijri lunar calendar, meaning exact dates depend on official crescent moon sightings. Committees meet on the 29th day of each Hijri month to confirm if the new month begins the next day or if the current month lasts 30 days.

Ramadan Timeline: Ramadan 2027 is astronomically predicted to start on Monday, February 8.
Eid Confirmation: Moon sightings directly govern official breaks like Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha.

Official List of Public Holidays

A structured table displaying all anticipated dates for nationwide breaks.

Residents can plan ahead for UAE long weekends 2027 using these estimated dates based on Cabinet resolutions and astronomical data.

Holiday Occasion	Likely Holiday Date	Expected Break Duration
New Year’s Day	Friday, January 1, 2027	3 day weekend (Jan 1 – Jan 3)
Eid Al Fitr	Tuesday, March 9 to Thursday, March 11 (or Friday, March 12)	3 or 4 days (Up to 6 days with weekend)
Arafah Day & Eid Al Adha	Saturday, May 15 to Tuesday, May 18	4 days
Hijri New Year	Sunday, June 6	1 day
Prophet’s Birthday	Saturday, August 14	1 day
Eid Al Etihad (National Day)	Thursday, December 2 to Friday, December 3	4 day weekend (Dec 2 – Dec 5)

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Rules on Holiday Transfers and Overlaps

Important details on official Cabinet policies regarding holiday transfers and weekend overlaps.

Understanding UAE Cabinet holiday rules helps residents know whether official holidays get shifted to extend weekends.

Transferable Days: The UAE Cabinet may shift certain public holidays to the start or end of a work week.
Fixed Holidays: Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha cannot be transferred under any circumstances.
Public Overlaps: Under Article 3 of Resolution No. 27 of 2024, holidays coinciding with other official holidays are not transferred.
Weekend Overlaps: Public holidays falling on official weekends (Saturday or Sunday) do not get shifted to weekdays.

Smart Tips to Extend Your Breaks

Proactive leave planning ideas to maximize your vacation days throughout the year.

By placing annual leave strategically around official breaks, employees can create significantly longer holidays.

New Year: Take five days off in early January for an extended 10 day break.
Eid Al Fitr 2027 UAE: Apply for leave on Monday, March 8 to secure a six day or nine day holiday.
Eid Al Adha: Take leave from May 19 to May 21 to enjoy nine consecutive days off.
Eid Al Etihad: Request leave on Wednesday, December 1 to stretch the National Day break to five full days.

Working on Public Holidays and Employee Compensation

Legal rights regarding mandatory holiday work and extra pay eligibility.

Employers can request employees to work during official holidays, but specific labor regulations guarantee fair compensation.

Compensatory Leave: Employees can receive a substitute day off for working on a public holiday.
Extra Pay: Alternatively, staff receive basic pay plus an additional bonus of at least 50% of basic salary.
Legal Authority: These terms follow Article 28(2) of the UAE Employment Law.

Conclusion

Planning your schedule around official dates ensures maximum relaxation and smooth annual leave approvals. Stay updated on official moon sighting announcements to enjoy every break to the fullest.

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