Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi. Photo: Unsplash
While residents of the UAE still have one long weekend to look forward to before the year ends — Dec 1 to 3 in honor of National Day — it looks like all eyes are now on the calendar for 2024, with many wondering how many long breaks they can enjoy over the next 12 months.
Thankfully, the UAE Cabinet has now officially announced the final list of national holidays coming to the country next year, for both public and private sectors. What’s also interesting to note is that the Cabinet is reportedly making more efforts this year to improve work organization across all sectors, with the hope of giving residents more time to plan travels in advance.
The official list of confirmed holidays in the UAE in 2024
#UAE_Cabinet approves official holidays calendar for government and private sectors for year 2024 pic.twitter.com/HHtIQawNy8
— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) November 21, 2023
Though the official list of holidays in the UAE has been released online, not all holidays are currently set in stone, as several of the occasions’ dates will depend on moon sightings. Nevertheless, the approximate dates still give residents an idea of when they can expect to enjoy some time off. So far, the dates we have are listed below.
- New Year’s Day: Monday, January 1
- Eid Al-Fitr: Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3
- Arafat Day: Dhu Al Hijjah 9
- Eid Al-Adha: Dhu Al Hijjah 10 to 12
- Islamic New Year: Muharram 1
- Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday: Rabi’ Al-Awwal 12
- National Day: Monday, December 2
- National Day holiday: Tuesday, December 3
Along with the occasions below, UAE residents may also get a few more days off through 2024. Predictions include the following dates:
- Eid al-Fitr: Monday, April 8 to Friday, April 12
- Arafat Day: Saturday, June 15
- Eid al-Adha: Sunday, June 16 to Tuesday, June 18
- Islamic New Year: Sunday, July 7
- Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday: Sunday, September 15
The best long breaks in the UAE in 2024
Earlier this year, we found that in all likelihood, UAE residents may get to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in 2024 over a wonderful nine day break. According to a UAE astronomer, the Holy Month of Ramadan is likely to commence on Monday, March 11, 2024, meaning that the prospective Eid break will run from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3 on the Islamic Calendar — translating to approximately Monday, April 8, to Friday, April 12, in the Gregorian Calendar.
Another long break coming our way in 2024 will be on occasion of Eid al-Adha. UAE residents can expect a four-day holiday next year if Arafat Day falls on June 15 as predicted. This will imply that Eid takes place on Sunday, with Monday and Tuesday (June 17 and 18) then serving as public holidays.
It also looks like 2024 will end with a nice break for residents on occasion of National Day. Commemoration Day will be on December 1 (Sunday), giving everyone Monday and Tuesday (December 2 and 3) off to create yet another four-day break.
UAE public holidays in 2024: National Day
National Day celebrations fall in December every year, and 2024 will be no different.
Commemoration Day is expected to fall on Sunday December 1, meaning you can expect a public holiday on Monday December 2 and Tuesday December 3.
