UAE Public Holidays 2027: Dates That Could Create the Year’s Longest Breaks
UAE residents looking ahead to 2027 may have several opportunities to turn public holidays into longer breaks. The biggest one could arrive around Eid Al Fitr, with a possible six consecutive days off if Ramadan lasts 30 days.
The year also starts well for workers who normally have Saturday and Sunday off. January 1, 2027 falls on a Friday, creating a three-day New Year weekend without using annual leave.
Later in the year, Eid Al Etihad could produce another four-day weekend in December.
Most Islamic holiday dates cannot be treated as final this far in advance. They follow the Hijri calendar, and official dates are confirmed according to the relevant moon-sighting process.
The dates below are projections for planning purposes. Residents should check official UAE announcements before making final travel or leave arrangements.
UAE Public Holidays Expected in 2027
| Holiday | Projected Date in 2027 | What It Could Mean |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Friday, January 1 | Three-day weekend for Saturday-Sunday schedules |
| Eid Al Fitr | March 9-11, potentially through March 12 | Up to six consecutive days with the weekend if Ramadan lasts 30 days |
| Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha | Saturday, May 15 to Tuesday, May 18 | Four consecutive days |
| Hijri New Year | Sunday, June 6 | Expected to fall on a weekend |
| Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | Saturday, August 14 | Expected to fall on a weekend |
| Eid Al Etihad | Thursday, December 2 and Friday, December 3 | Four-day weekend through Sunday |
The Islamic dates above remain estimates. The corresponding Gregorian dates depend on the lunar calendar and official confirmation in the UAE.
The Six-Day Eid Al Fitr Break Is the One to Watch
Eid Al Fitr has one of the most interesting calendar setups in 2027.
Ramadan is currently expected to begin around Monday, February 8, 2027. If Ramadan lasts 29 days, the Eid Al Fitr holidays could run from Tuesday, March 9 through Thursday, March 11.
A 30-day Ramadan changes the picture.
If Ramadan completes 30 days, Ramadan 30 would become an additional holiday before Eid Al Fitr. That could extend the projected break through Friday, March 12.
Saturday and Sunday would follow immediately afterward, giving employees on a standard weekend schedule six consecutive days off from Tuesday through Sunday.
One annual leave day could stretch it even further. Taking Monday, March 8 off would connect the previous weekend to the holiday period. If Ramadan lasts 30 days, that arrangement could produce nine days away from work from March 6 to March 14.
That makes Eid Al Fitr one of the strongest 2027 options for residents considering an overseas trip, family visit or longer staycation.
Eid Al Adha Could Offer Another Useful Leave Window
Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha are projected to run from Saturday, May 15 through Tuesday, May 18.
The four-day sequence already works well for employees whose normal weekend is Saturday and Sunday. There is also a useful annual-leave opportunity immediately afterward.
Using Wednesday, May 19 through Friday, May 21 as annual leave would connect the Eid break with the following weekend.
The result could be a nine-day break from May 15 through May 23.
The dates will still need official confirmation because Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha follow the Hijri calendar.
Two Islamic Holidays May Fall Entirely on Weekends
Not every 2027 holiday is likely to add a weekday off.
The Hijri New Year is projected for Sunday, June 6, while Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday is expected on Saturday, August 14.
Under the UAE’s current public holiday rules, a holiday cannot be transferred to another day if it falls on a weekend or coincides with another public holiday.
Based on the projected dates, those two occasions may therefore not create extra weekday breaks for employees already off on Saturday and Sunday.
December Could Finish 2027 With a Four-Day Weekend
Eid Al Etihad falls on December 2 and 3 each year.
In 2027, those dates land on Thursday and Friday. For employees with Saturday-Sunday weekends, the two public holidays would connect directly with the weekend, producing four consecutive days off through Sunday, December 5.
Taking Wednesday, December 1 as annual leave would turn it into a five-day break.
It is one of the simplest leave combinations of the year: one annual leave day could create five consecutive days away from work.
Can UAE Public Holidays Be Moved to Create Long Weekends?
Yes, but there are limits.
Under Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2024, the UAE Cabinet can move certain public holidays to the beginning or end of the working week.
Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are exceptions to this transfer provision.
The rules also state that a public holiday cannot be transferred if it falls on a weekend or coincides with another public holiday.
The resolution covers both the public and private sectors.
Residents should therefore avoid treating projected holiday transfers as confirmed dates when booking travel. Official Cabinet decisions and moon-sighting announcements can still affect the final calendar.
What Happens If an Employee Works on a UAE Public Holiday?
Private-sector employees in the UAE are entitled to paid leave on official public holidays.
Some businesses still need employees to work during holidays, particularly in sectors such as hospitality, retail, transport, healthcare and other services that operate throughout the week.
If an employee is required to work on an official holiday, UAE labour law provides compensation options.
The employer may give the employee another day off for each public holiday worked or provide the required additional payment under the applicable labour rules.
Employees should also check their individual working arrangements and understand their wider UAE employment benefits, including end-of-service gratuity entitlements. Saturday and Sunday are common weekend days in the UAE, but schedules can differ depending on the employer and industry.
How Many Long Weekends Could the UAE Get in 2027?
Based on current projections, New Year’s Day and Eid Al Etihad offer the clearest long-weekend opportunities without using annual leave.
Eid Al Fitr could become the longest continuous break if Ramadan completes 30 days. Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha could provide another useful leave window in May.
The dates are most useful as an early planning guide rather than a confirmed holiday calendar.
Residents can compare flight and hotel options ahead of time, but expensive non-refundable bookings around Islamic holidays may be better left until the relevant UAE authorities confirm the dates.
UAE Holidays 2027: Frequently Asked Questions
Will the UAE Have a Six-Day Holiday in 2027?
A six-day break may be possible around Eid Al Fitr if Ramadan lasts 30 days. The projected holiday could run through Friday, March 12, followed immediately by the Saturday-Sunday weekend. Final dates will depend on official confirmation.
When Is Eid Al Fitr Expected in the UAE in 2027?
Eid Al Fitr is currently projected to begin around Tuesday, March 9, 2027. The holiday could last three or four days depending on whether Ramadan has 29 or 30 days.
When Is Eid Al Adha Expected in the UAE in 2027?
Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha are projected to fall between Saturday, May 15 and Tuesday, May 18, 2027. The dates remain subject to official confirmation.
When Is UAE National Day in 2027?
Eid Al Etihad is celebrated on December 2 and 3. In 2027, those dates fall on Thursday and Friday, potentially creating a four-day weekend for employees with Saturday-Sunday weekends.
Can UAE Public Holidays Be Moved?
Certain UAE public holidays can be moved to the beginning or end of the week following a Cabinet decision. Eid holidays are excluded from the transfer provision, while holidays that fall on weekends cannot be shifted under the current rules.
Do Employees Get Paid for Working on Public Holidays in the UAE?
Employees who are required to work during an official public holiday are entitled to compensation in line with UAE labour law. Depending on the circumstances, this can involve another day off or additional pay.
Note: Islamic holiday dates for 2027 are projections and may change. Residents should rely on official UAE announcements for confirmed public holiday dates.