In the UAE, public holidays are a welcome break from the daily hustle and a perfect time to hang out with family and friends. With no holidays in sight recently, many are curious about when the next long weekend will come around and are eagerly awaiting their chance to kick back and enjoy some time off.
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The next noteworthy holiday is Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawi, which honors the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is predicted to occur this year on September 15, 2024, which is Rabi’ Al-Awwal 12. Since this day comes on a Sunday, a long weekend is unlikely to result from it. In July, the Islamic New Year fell on a Sunday, and no additional day off was provided. As of now, there is no official confirmation of extra time off for Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawi, but updates will be provided as the date approaches.
Looking ahead, the next public holiday after Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawi will be Commemoration Day, observed annually on December 1. Following this, the UAE celebrates National Day on December 2 and 3, which could lead to a four-day break for those who usually have weekends off. Confirmation regarding the time off will be provided as the dates approach.
According to recent sources, the UAE’s public holidays for 2025 have been detailed. New Year’s Day will fall on a Wednesday when residents will be able to enjoy a mid-week day off. The next set of holidays won’t arrive until after Ramadan. Eid Al-Fitr will be observed from Shawwal 1 to 3, depending on moon sighting. This will be followed by Arafat Day on Dhu Al-Hijjah 9, and Eid Al-Adha from Dhu Al-Hijjah 10 to 12.
In addition to the holiday schedule, a new resolution has been introduced for how public holidays will be handled. Under this resolution, if a holiday falls on a weekend, it may be moved to either the beginning or end of the week. However, the Eid holidays are not affected by this change. For example, if a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, there could be an extra day off on the Friday before or the Monday after. The resolution also allows local governments to approve additional official holidays for special occasions or other reasons, providing some flexibility for different sectors and institutions.
As always, official announcements will confirm the exact dates and any potential changes closer to the particular holidays.
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